Grad Degree Offered Info

Program director:	Carmel McNicholas-Bevensee
Phone:	(205) 934-1785
Email:	cbevense@uab.edu
Website:	https://www.uab.edu/graduate/students/current-students/career-development/opsel

IGPS Information

IGPS courses, seminars and workshops are offered to improve the academic and professional communication skills of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, and staff with the goals of supporting scholarship, research integrity, productivity, effective communication, mentoring and leadership, college teaching, and the development and refinement of professional skills.

Those interested in pursuing the Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies (IGS) degree (MA or MS) will find information about the program and how to apply on the IGS webpage at: Master of Arts and Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies - Graduate School | UAB

Similarly, individuals interested in pursuing any of the following graduate-level certificates through OPSEL will find more information about the programs and how to apply at:  Office of Professional Studies and Experiential Learning - Graduate School | UAB 

Upon completion, graduate certificates earned through OPSEL will appear on official UAB transcripts. For more information regarding the course requirements click on the hyperlinks below.

Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies – MS and MA degrees available 

UAB offers two master’s degrees in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies (IGS): The Master of Arts and the Master of Science. Both IGS degrees are designed to provide students with opportunities to blend two areas of expertise in order to best meet the needs of contemporary hybrid careers. The IGS degree allows students to personalize a master’s degree to align with their professional, academic, and personal goals. Students may choose to combine any two (2) UAB graduate certificates that have affiliated with the IGS program in order to gain knowledge and skills they want as they seek professional advancement or personal development.

Academic Advising - Certificate available 

The graduate certificate in Academic Advising (AADV) is designed to provide current and prospective academic advisors with opportunities to gain knowledge, skills, and competencies required to advance their academic advising practices in manners that best support students in their academic success and persistence towards degree completion.  Scholars who complete the Academic Advising graduate certificate will display their knowledge of and ability to apply desirable competencies within, yet not limited to, individual advising and academic support sessions and group advising sessions as well as environments associated with appreciative admissions, orientation, academic transitions, major discoveries, and career preparations. Courses in the AADV graduate certificate program are offered in the standard letter grading format and may be incorporating into the IGS degree. The program is also available as a track in the Master of Science in Higher Education Administration.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Advocacy - Certificate available (email: DiversityEd@uab.edu)

The graduate certificate in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Advocacy (DEIA) is designed to provide learners with opportunities to gain knowledge, skills, and competencies associated with advancing personal, social, and cultural initiatives to combat interpersonal and systemic inequities as well as foster cultures of inclusion and justice.  Learners who complete the DEIA graduate certificate will display their knowledge of and ability to apply desirable competencies within, yet not limited to post-secondary education institutions, civic engagement, nonprofit, and politically minded organizations, health care providers, as well as the business and industry sectors.  Courses in the DEIA graduate certificate program are offered in the standard letter grading format and may be incorporating into the IGS degree.

Leadership & Professional Development - Certificate available

The LEAD certificate is designed to provide students with opportunities to master leadership and professional development competencies. The dynamic nature of today’s society and economy requires us all to think critically, communicate effectively, and transfer skills into multiple environments. LEAD facilitates learning and competencies required for academic, career, and personal success. Courses in the LEAD graduate certificate program are offered in the standard letter grading format and may be incorporating into the IGS degree.

Mentoring & Leadership - Certificate available 

The Mentoring and Leadership certificate is designed to provide students with opportunities to build strong mentoring and leadership skills while exploring what it takes to be a mentoring leader. The certificate offers courses in mentoring, leadership, communication skills, and more.

Courses in the Mentoring and Leadership graduate certificate are offered in the pass/no pass grading format.

Research Communication - Certificate available

The graduate certificate in Research Communication (RECM) is a graduate-level credential that is designed to provide foundational knowledge and applicable experience in effective communication of research and key research findings to academic audiences, professional audiences, and to the general public across different communicative platforms. The RECM certificate focuses on developing current UAB graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, and employees in both science and non-science fields to learn how to effectively communicate research and research findings. The certificate offers courses in presentation and discussion skills, academic writing, grant writing, writing for broad audiences, and more. Courses in the RECM graduate certificate program are offered in the Pass/No Pass as well as standard letter grading format. The standard letter grade format courses may be incorporated into the IGS degree. 

Research Laboratory Management - Certificate available

The Research Laboratory Management certificate prepares graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty and staff, who are engaged in science-related research, to effectively lead and manage all aspects of an active scientific laboratory. Managing laboratory needs, such as budgetary and regulatory / safety compliance, is essential for career success in today’s research marketplace. Courses in the Research Laboratory Management graduate certificate are offered in the pass/no pass as well as the standard letter grading formats. Graded courses may be incorporated into the IGS degree.

Teaching at the College Level - Certificates available

UAB offers two CIRTL graduate certificates designed to provide you with opportunities to improve your teaching. Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, employees, and community members are welcome to take one or more CIRTL courses. CIRTL@UAB is part of the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (CIRTL) Network. Built around the core values of Learning through Diversity, Teaching as Research, and Interdisciplinary Learning Communities, CIRTL is dedicated to preparing the next generation of college faculty. UAB offers two CIRTL certificates:

1. CIRTL Practitioner (15 credits) requires courses to help you gain teaching skills to prepare learners to develop, deliver, and assess learning opportunities for diverse populations.
2. CIRTL Scholar (21 credits) builds on the Practitioner certificate and guides participants in developing and implementing a Teaching-As-Research (TAR) project to enhance teaching effectiveness. If you choose to complete the CIRTL Scholar certificate, you will also be awarded the CIRTL Practitioner certificate.

Admission to the Certificate Programs

Current UAB graduate students - fill out and submit the “Intent to Pursue” form located on each of the certificate’s webpage.

For new students – click here to complete the UAB Graduate School Application indicating which certificate you wish to pursue.

Registration

For more information on how to register for classes, visit https://www.uab.edu/students/academics/register-for-classes.