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The information on this page is specific to the orientation session held just before the beginning of each semester and will help ensure your successful completion of the initial program entry requirements.
Congratulations on your acceptance into the College of Education and the Graduate School at The University of Alabama. You are joining a dedicated group of faculty and students. We are committed to providing you with the best learning opportunities available.
In order to help you as you begin your advanced studies, we have developed several resources that will provide you with some important information about the College and the assessment process for our educator preparation candidates.
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First, you will be asked to attend the Graduate Educator Orientation (GEO). During the GEO session you will hear from several faculty members as they provide you information to successfully navigate the entry into the College and complete your initial (checkpoint #1) showcase portfolio.
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Next, you will learn about Student Learning & Licensure (SSL) and the assessment requirements.
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Then, you will learn about the College of Education’s Dispositions. These dispositions are values, attitudes, and beliefs that our faculty, students, staff, and stakeholders deem as important. Throughout the program, you will receive assessments of your development in these areas. These assessments should serve as benchmarks for you as you progress through the program.
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Finally, you will be provided resources from the GEO session that will enable you to successfully prepare and submit your assessments in Student Learning and Licensure (SLL).
SIGN UP FOR FALL 2026 SESSION
Please click on the Qualtrics link (https://universityofalabama.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_09ybgUMAVtvpD9k) to register/sign up for the Fall 2026 Graduate Educator Orientation (GEO) Session on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026 at 4 p.m. CT (held virtually via Zoom).
ATTENDING THE SESSION
Once you have completed the Attendance Registration, you will receive communication providing you with the Zoom link for the webinar and how to attend on campus. This communication will be sent no later than one week before the session.
STUDENT LEARNING AND LICENSURE (SLL)
Your SLL account will be created by Dr. James Hardin no later than one week before the GEO session. If you have questions about your SLL account, please contact Dr. Hardin at jhardin@ua.edu.
Once your account has been created, you will be able to purchase your SLL account for $139 upon your initial login through the SLL website at sll.watermarkinsights.com/login#.
Additional information on purchasing and logging into your SLL account will be shared with you during the GEO session.
QUESTIONS?
Address general questions to Dr. Akeisha Young.