School of Education

Dean: Teresa Taber Doughty, Ph.D.

The School of Education offers a wide range of educator preparation degrees and teacher certification options as well as non-teacher education degrees, majors, concentrations, and minors.

Educator Preparation Options.  The School of Education offers educator preparation options that are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and approved by the Alabama State Board of Education. Educator preparation options lead to bachelor degrees and Alabama teacher certification in early childhood and elementary education, high school (secondary) education, and kinesiology (physical education). The School of Education also collaborates with the College of Arts and Sciences to offer pathways to teacher certification in a wide range of teaching fields, including music, science, and mathematics.

Kinesiology, Community Health and Human Services Preparation Options.  There are several non-educator preparation options available for individuals seeking degrees at the undergraduate level.  These degrees prepare students for employment in a variety of wellness, health, and fitness and sports (community, commercial, clinical, and corporate) agencies/facilities and/or admission to health-related graduate programs (e.g., physical therapy, medicine, occupational therapy).  Degrees, majors,  concentrations, and minors  are available in community health, human services and kinesiology. 

Educator Preparation Programs

At the undergraduate level, students may complete programs that lead to Alabama Class B certification in the following areas:

Teacher Certification Programs

Certification Area & Grade Levels	Undergraduate Major	Teacher Education Department
Biology (6-12)	Biology*	Curriculum & Instruction
Chemistry (6-12)	Chemistry*	Curriculum & Instruction
Early Childhood (P-3)	Early Childhood Education	Curriculum & Instruction
Early Childhood (P-3) and Elementary Education (K-6)	Early Childhood & Elementary Education	Curriculum & Instruction
Elementary Education (K-6)	Elementary Education	Curriculum & Instruction
English Language Arts (6-12)	High School Education/English**	Curriculum & Instruction
General Science (6-12)	Biology, Chemistry, or Physics***	Curriculum & Instruction
General Social Science (6-12)	High School Education/History**	Curriculum & Instruction
Mathematics (4-8)	Mathematics*	Curriculum & Instruction
Mathematics (6-12)	Mathematics*	Curriculum & Instruction
Music - Instrumental (P-12)	Music	Curriculum & Instruction
Music - Vocal/Choir (P-12)	Music	Curriculum & Instruction
Kinesiology (P-12)	Kinesiology (Physical Education)	Human Studies
Physics (6-12)	Physics*	Curriculum & Instruction

*

Please refer to UABTeach information located in the College of Arts and Sciences portion of the Undergraduate Catalog and in the sections that follow.

**

These programs require a dual major in the teaching field and high school education.

***

Individuals seeking certification in General Science must complete a major in biology, chemistry, or physics and meet additional coursework requirements as approved by the Alabama State Department of Education.

Please Note:  Students seeking teacher certification in the programs above must meet all requirements for program admission, retention, completion, and certification as required by the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE).  Alabama certification regulations are subject to change and requirements delineated in this catalog may not reflect current requirements.  Therefore, students are urged to seek advisement through the Office of Student Services each term to stay abreast of current teacher certification requirements.

These baccalaureate degrees above lead to Class B certification.  Once a student has successfully completed all degree and program requirements, he or she can apply for Alabama teacher certification through the School of Education Office of Student Services.  The School of Education only recommends a student for certification, and the ultimate certification decision is made by the Alabama State Board of Education.

Non-Teacher Certification Programs

At the undergraduate level, students may complete non-teacher certification concentrations in the following areas:

Non-Teacher Certification Programs

Program Area/Concentration	Undergraduate Major	Department
Community Health	Community Health and Human Services	Human Studies
Exercise Science	Kinesiology	Human Studies
Exercise Bioenergetics	Kinesiology	Human Studies
Fitness Leadership	Kinesiology	Human Studies
Human Services	Community Health and Human Services	Human Studies

School of Education Minors

The School of Education offers the following minors:

School of Education Minors

Minor	Program	Department
Athletic Coaching	Kinesiology	Human Studies
Community Health	Community Health and Human Services	Human Studies
Exercise Science	Kinesiology	Human Studies
Human Services	Community Health and Human Services	Human Studies
STEM Education	Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics	UABTeach

Office of Clinical Experiences

The Office of Clinical Experiences is responsible for coordinating student teaching and other clinical experiences for the School of Education. Information concerning student teaching applications, placement, and field experiences may be found in EEC 219D in the Education and Engineering Complex.

Office of Student Services

The Office of Student Services, located in EEC 311 in the Education and Engineering Complex, provides academic advising to undergraduate Education majors. This office is also responsible for academic records and recommendations for teacher certification for the School of Education. Application materials for the Teacher Education Program and for Alabama teacher certification can be found at http://www.uab.edu/soestudentservices/.

Alabama teacher certification programs and basic degree requirements vary among majors. Students should contact this office early in their studies to be certain they will meet School of Education requirements and Alabama Department of Education teacher certification requirements. The Alabama State Department of Education sets requirements for teacher education majors. Changes to these requirements may occur periodically so students should meet with their academic advisor at least once per semester to receive the most updated information about the Alabama State Department of Education requirements.

TRIO Teacher Prep Program

The TRIO Teacher Prep Program (TRIO Teach) is dedicated to undergraduate students in the School of Education at UAB. Fully funded by the U.S. Department of Education, TRIO Teach Prep Program is a Student Support Services program that aids UAB's degree-seeking undergraduate students who are Education majors or have the intent to teach.

An application can be downloaded by clicking on the link below or can be picked up from our office in the Education and Engineering Complex (EEC), Office EEC 318C.

What are the benefits of being in the TRIO Teach Program?

• Individualized Guidance: One-on-one assistance to help students make a smooth transition to college, develop goals, and create a graduation plan.

• FREE Tutoring: Weekly FREE tutoring sessions

• Financial Advising: Assistance in applying for financial aid (FAFSA), scholarship searches, and Financial Literacy Workshops that include help in creating a budget, managing credit, debt and personal finances.

• Career and Academic Guidance: Success Coaching and assistance with academics, including career and educational planning, mentoring, graduate school tours, and career development.

• EXLUSIVE COMPUTER LAB: calculators, reference materials, computers, FREE printing, PRAXIS Prep study materials, study manipulatives for Anatomy/other science classes, and quiet study space.

• Money: Grant-Aid *dependent on student’s academic and financial need*

• Cultural Events: Free cultural events and trips that will broaden horizons and enrich life experiences.

• Workshops and Seminars (Time management, Career Development, Exploring Majors within the School of Education, Networking, and so much more)

DOWNLOAD THE TRIO TEACHER PREP PROGRAM APPLICATION TODAY!!

Who can participate in a TRIO Teacher Prep Program (TRIO Teach) program?

Students who are citizens or nationals of the United States

Students who have been accepted or who are enrolled at UAB

Students who have academic need

AND Students who:

• are first-generation college students (neither parent completed a 4-year college degree), OR

• have a documented physical, psychological or learning disability (that may affect their role as a college student), OR

• have a limited family income (determined by taxable income level and family size)

How do I find out more information?  Contact us at trioteach@uab.edu or visit us in the Education and Engineering Complex (EEC), Office  EEC 318C.

Honors Program in Exercise Bioenergetics, Exercise Science, and Fitness Leadership

The Department of Human Studies offers an Honors Program for Exercise Bioenergetics, Exercise Science, and Fitness Leadership students.  Highly qualified students will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a mentor in an area of mutual interest and conduct either a research or civic engagement project designed to meet some particular need as it relates to pertinent areas of fitness, exercise, and physical activity.  For more information go to: https://www.uab.edu/education/home/hs-honors-program.

Honors Program in Early Childhood and Education

Students in the Early Childhood and Elementary Honors Program graduate with departmental honors that will be designated on their transcripts and recognized during commencement exercises. In order to become eligible for this designation, students must meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrated commitment to Early Childhood and Elementary Education.

• Junior standing and the completion of nine (9) hours pre-professional education courses from ECY 300, EEC 300, EEC 301, EDF 362, and EPR 363.  

• 3.5 GPA in Education courses taken, 3.0 GPA overall.

In order to participate in the Honors Program and graduate with "Honors Designation", students must file an application with the Office of Curriculum & Instruction (Room 100) following an invitation from the respective program area. Following acceptance, students must enroll and complete the following two Education Honors Courses: EDH 491- Honors Education Research and EDH 492 - Honors Education Service Project. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or above and 3.25 in education courses through graduation.

EDH 491 - Education Research. Prerequisite: admission into the EEC Honors Program.

EDH 492 - Honors Education Service Project. Prerequisite: admission into the EEC Honors Program.

Admission and Program of Student Requirements

Admission and program of student requirements for all undergraduate degrees, majors, and concentrations may be located at http://www.uab.edu/education/studentservices/admissions/checklists/undergraduate/bachelors

TEP Retention Requirements

A student may be dropped from the Teacher Education Program for failure to maintain satisfactory academic performance or professional dispositions as described by School of Education policy.  Consistent with UAB policy on readmission, students readmitted to UAB must complete all program requirements, including TEP admissions and retention and completion requirements  as outlined in the catalog under which they are officially readmitted.

1. Additional retention requirements by program:

a. Early Childhood and/or Elementary Education

i)  Grade of "C" or better in all Primary Block courses and a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the Primary Block courses.  Additionally, a persistence GPA of 2.0 is required for the block courses. (Applies to both Early Childhood and Elementary)

ii)  Grade of "C" or better in all Elementary Block courses and a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the Elementary Block courses.  Additionally, a persistence GPA of 3.0 is required for the block of courses (Applies to only Elementary).

iii) Grade of "C" or better in all Birth to 5 block courses and GPA of 3.0 or higher in the Birth to 5 courses.  Additionally, a persistence GPA of 3.0 is required for the block of courses (Applies to only Early Childhood).

Student Teaching Requirements

All students seeking baccalaureate degrees leading to teaching certificates must participate in a student teaching internship.  All students must apply for student teaching by October 1st for spring semester and March 1st for fall semester internship.  Applications are available online at the School of Education website, Office of Clinical Experiences.  For additional information contact the Director of Clinical Experiences.

To be eligible for this internship, students must have an approved student teaching application based on the following:

Early Childhood and Elementary Education:

1. Formal admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP).
2. Student teaching application approved by the faculty in the Early Childhood/Elementary program.
3. Minimum higher education GPA of 2.5.
4. Minimum GPA of 2.5 in core curriculum courses.
5. Minimum GPA of 2.5 in all Professional Studies courses.
6. Minimum GPA of 2.5 in all Teaching Field courses.
7. Completion of all methods courses, see Teaching Field for respective Checklist.
8. Passing score on all parts of the Praxis II: Elementary Education Multiple Subjects (Elementary majors only).
9. Passing score on Praxis II: Early Childhood Content Knowledge (Early Childhood majors only).
10. Passing score on the edTPA.
11. Demonstration of the dispositions needed to be successful as a teacher of young children, including children with special needs.
12. Documentation of requisite field experience hours in schools.
13. Criminal history background check status shown as "cleared' on the Alabama State Department of Education database.

Students approved to teach in Early Childhood/Elementary Education must be concurrently enrolled in ECE 490 Student Teaching in Early Childhood Education I and ECE 491 Student Teaching in Early Childhood Education II. Students cannot take additional coursework besides these two courses during the term in which they student teach.

Kinesiology: (Physical Education):

1. Formal admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP).
2. Student teaching application approved by the faculty in the Kinesiology program.
3. Minimum higher education GPA of 2.5.
4. Minimum GPA of 2.5 in core curriculum courses.
5. Minimum GPA of 2.5 in all Professional Studies courses.
6. Minimum GPA of 2.5 in all Teaching Field courses.
7. Completion of all teaching field courses (KIN 307, KIN 308, KIN 311, KIN 320, KIN 320L, KIN 400, KIN 402, KIN 409, and KIN 489) with a grade of "C" or better.
8. Passing score on Praxis Physical Education P-12.
9. Passing score on the edTPA.
10. Demonstration of the dispositions needed to be successful as a teacher.
11. Documentation of the requisite field experience hours in schools.
12. Criminal history background check status shown as "cleared" on the Alabama State Department of Education database.

 

TEP Completion and Certification Requirements

A student who satisfies TEP admission and retention requirements and who meets the following completion requirements will be recommended for "Class B" teacher certification.  Students must apply for certification.  Students must complete the certification application process to apply for and receive their professional educator certificate. To complete the certification process, students must submit a current Alabama State Department of Education certification application, proof of payment, and an official UAB transcript to the Office of Student Services. Students will receive an email from the Office of Student Services during the last semester of program completion containing steps for completing and submitting their certification application packet to the Office of Student Services electronically.

1. Students must have a minimum 2.5 higher education GPA, 2.5 teaching field GPA, and 2.5 professional studies GPA with no grade below "C" in professional studies courses.
2. Students must complete all courses on the Alabama State Board of Education approved checklist for the teaching field(s) in which certification is sought.
3. Students must demonstrate readiness to teach through on-the-job performance as a student teacher.  This evaluation is conducted by the School of Education faculty and appropriate personnel from local school systems.
4. Students must document a passing score on the all Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program tests, including, but not limited to the appropriate Praxis content knowledge exams(s) and edTPA.  Official score reports must be sent to both UAB and the Alabama State Department of Education.
5. The Alabama State Department of Education has additional requirements for teacher certification.  Included in these are fees associated with obtaining a certificate which are set by legislative action and may be changed.  Students seeking initial certification are required to obtain background clearance to determine any criminal history through a fingerprint review conducted by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) prior to the issuance of a teaching certificate.  An applicant for certification must have a suitable background clearance issued by the Alabama State Superintendent of Education and confirmed under Background Review on the EdCert Portal at the time of unconditional admission. Information on these requirements is available in the Office of Student Services, in EEC 311 in the Education and Engineering Complex.

Teacher Certification for Students who Hold a Baccalaureate Degree

There are several routes to teacher certification in the state of Alabama for those who already hold a baccalaureate degree.  One option is to return to school to complete the current undergraduate coursework required for teacher certification.  In general, individuals exercising this option are required to meet the same requirements for admission to, retention in, and exit from the Teacher Education Program as indicated above.  Additionally, these students are required to have a program plan approved by the department chair before enrolling in any courses.  A second option is to pursue the Alternative Master's Program.  Completion of this program and all its requirements leads to a master's degree in education and Alabama "Class A" teacher certification.

Additional information on these and other options may be found on the Alabama State Department of Education's web site (www.alsde.edu) or by contacting The Office of Student Services.

UABTeach

http://www.uab.edu/uabteach/

Program Director

Dr. Paulette Evans
UAB School of Education / Department of Curriculum and Instruction
(205) 975-7419
pgevans@uab.edu

UABTeach is the program for all students seeking certification to teach secondary school (grades 6-12) in the sciences and mathematics, and in middle school mathematics (grades 4-8), with an undergraduate degree.  It is a cooperative program among the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), the School of Education, and the School of Engineering.  To obtain teaching certification in Chemistry, Biology, Physics, General Science, or Mathematics, students major in their STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and participate in the UABTeach program.  UABTeach is not a major, but rather leads to a minor in STEM Education (through the School of Education) and a Class B teaching certificate.  Students considering seeking teaching certification in a STEM field should contact both their STEM advisor and the UABTeach advisor (HHB 210, 205-975-9920, UABTeach).

UABTeach consists of a sequence of eight courses (24 credit hours), ideally taken over seven semesters as outlined below.  Courses with an EHS prefix are normally taken in sequence.   However, there are pathways for students entering UABTeach after the first semester of their freshman year, and up until the first semester of their junior year, described in detail on the UABTeach website, which allow some overlap of courses.   Normally, students can complete the UABTeach courses without adding any additional time to their degree, provided they are on schedule in their STEM major, and have not already begun their junior year.  Currently, UABTeach courses are offered only in Fall and Spring semesters.

• Semester 1:  Step1, Inquiry Approaches to Teaching (EHS 125, 1 hour)
• Semester 2:  Step2, Inquiry-Based Lesson Design (EHS 126, 1 hour)
• Semester 3:  Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science (EHS 325, 3 hours)
• Semester 4:  Perspectives on Science and Mathematics (HY 275) or Science, Knowledge, and Reality (PHL 270, 3 hours)
• Semester 5:  Classroom Interactions (EHS 326, 3 hours)
• Semester 6:  Project-Based Instruction (EHS 327, 3 hours)
• Semester 7:  Apprentice Teaching (EHS 425 and EHS 426, 7 hours)

The following table lists the currently available certifications, and the majors leading to them, under UABTeach.

UABTeach Certification

Class B Certification	Grade Level	Applicable Majors
Biology	6-12	Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Biology, Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Immunology
Chemistry	6-12	Chemistry, Chemistry-Chemical Education Track
General Science	6-12	Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Biophysics, Cancer Biology, Chemistry, Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Immunology, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Neuroscience, Physics
Mathematics	6-12	Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science
Mathematics, Middle School	4-8	Mathematics-Mathematical Reasoning Track
Physics	6-12	Physics
Computer Science	K-12	Mathematics

Students can begin the program in either fall or spring semesters. For more information, please visit the UABTeach website: http://www.uab.edu/uabteach/