General Information
Role Statement
UAB’s graduate offerings are shaped by its location in the state’s largest metropolitan area, by its mandate to serve a large and heterogeneous constituency, by its responsibility to contribute to the economic and professional development of Birmingham and the state, and by its role of providing support to a nationally recognized academic health sciences center.
At the graduate level, programs serve the career needs of educators and business leaders, as well as those involved in advancing the frontiers of the health sciences. Training for health professionals is available through programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral, and professional degree levels.
UAB also has the primary responsibility for meeting the state’s health professional needs. It offers a comprehensive range of programs which encompass both basic preparation and sophisticated graduate and specialty training in medicine, dentistry, optometry, nursing, health professions, and public health.
As one of the nation’s leading research institutions, UAB emphasizes both basic and applied research. Although the majority of the university’s research effort is in the biomedical sciences and related areas, all instructional programs are expected to participate in research activities. UAB’s urban setting necessitates the development of research programs that are responsive to the city’s economic, social, and cultural needs. Much of the research conducted at UAB is interdisciplinary in nature and is organized through centers that bring together experts in a number of related fields to concentrate on a particular problem or issue. UAB attracts more than $400 million annually in research funding and currently ranks 10th among public universities in funding from the National Institutes of Health. the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has named the University of Alabama at Birmingham to its list of colleges and universities to receive its 2015 Community Engagement Classification. UAB is one of 51 universities nationally and the only college in Alabama to be classified for high research activity and community engagement.
As the senior public doctoral-level institution in the state’s major urban area, UAB is committed to providing comprehensive programs in continuing education consistent with the quality and diversity of its other offerings. The university’s faculty, staff, and students also serve as resources to the area through activities related to professional, economic, and cultural growth and development.
Cultural Opportunities
UAB’s urban location offers students unique cultural opportunities. Located within walking distance of the campus is the Five Points South district, where local and unique restaurants, shops, art galleries, and music clubs are located. Not far from campus are the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Civil Rights Institute, the historic Alabama Theater, and the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. Other nearby sites include Sloss Furnace, a post-Civil War iron foundry which has been converted into a museum and informal music hall, and Oak Mountain Amphitheater, an outdoor facility that features music-industry headliners during the spring and summer concert season.
UAB has a flourishing arts program. As many as 30 major music events are produced each season at UAB, in addition to numerous theater productions and student and professional art exhibitions. The Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center is a state-of-the-art facility featuring 4 formal performance spaces: the 1,300-seat Jemison Concert Hall, the 350-seat Morris K. Sirote proscenium theater, the 170-seat Reynolds-Kirschbaum Recital Hall, and the Odess Black Box Theater, which can seat up to 120.
Student Life
Graduate students at UAB have many opportunities to become involved in the life of the university. Information about additional groups, both on and off campus, can be found in the UAB Student Handbook, Direction. Such organizations include: Graduate Student Government (GSG), Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA), Society for Advancement of Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), and Graduate Career Awareness and Trends (GCAT).
Schools and Degrees
This catalog contains information about graduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Dentistry, School of Education, School of Engineering, School of Health Professions, School of Nursing, School of Optometry, School of Public Health and the Joint Health Sciences.
Most UAB graduate students are working toward a degree; however, some have other educational goals. Graduate level degrees are usually characterized by the level of master's, specialist or doctoral.
College of Arts & Sciences
Master of Arts
Anthropology
Art History
Communication Management
English
History
Sociology
Psychology
Master of Public Administration
Master of Science
Biology
Chemistry
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer Forensics and Security Management
Criminal Justice
Forensic Science
Mathematics
Physics
Doctor of Philosophy
Applied Mathematics
Biology
Chemistry
Computer and Information Sciences
Medical Sociology
Physics
Psychology
Biomedical Sciences/Joint Health Sciences
Interdisciplinary Themes*
Biochemistry, Structural and Stem Cell Biology
Cancer Biology
Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology
Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics
Immunology
Microbiology
Neuroscience
Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine
*Completion of the training requirements in one of the above interdisciplinary themes provides eligibility for conferral of one of the following PhD degrees:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
- Cell Biology
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology
- Genetics
- Microbiology
- Neurobiology
- Pathology
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
School of Business
Master of Accounting
Master of Business Administration
Master of Science in Management Information Systems
School of Dentistry
Master of Science
School of Education
Master of Arts in Education
Arts Education
Community Health
Early Childhood Education
Educational Leadership
Elementary Education
English as a Second Language
Health Education
High School Education
Kinesiology
Music Education
Reading
School Counseling
Special Education
Master of Science
Instructional Design and Development
Educational Specialist
Educational Leadership
Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
English as a Second Language
Secondary Education
Special Education: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Teacher Leadership
Doctor of Education
Educational Leadership
Doctor of Philosophy
Early Childhood Education
Health Education Promotion
School of Engineering
Master of Science
Biomedical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Materials Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Master of Engineering
Advanced Safety Engineering and Management
Construction Engineering Management
Design and Commercialization
Information Engineering and Management
Doctor of Philosophy
Biomedical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering
Interdisciplinary Engineering
Materials Engineering
School of Health Professions
Master of Science
Biotechnology
Clinical Laboratory Science
Genetic Counseling
Healthcare Quality and Safety
Nutrition Sciences
Occupational Therapy
Master of Science in Health Administration
Master of Science in Health Informatics
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Doctorate of Physical Therapy
Doctorate of Science in Administration Health Services
Doctor of Philosophy
Administration Health Services
Nutrition Sciences
Rehabilitation Sciences
School of Nursing
Master of Science in Nursing
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Doctor of Philosophy
School of Optometry
Master of Science
Vision Sciences
Doctor of Philosophy
Vision Sciences