Secondary Education
UAB's Secondary Education program prepares pre-service and in-service teachers for teaching in both Middle School and High School. This secondary education program offers the following graduate degrees: Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) and Educational Specialist (EdS).
UAB's Secondary Education program embodies a three-fold purpose. Its first purpose is to prepare educators in meeting the evolving needs of learners, primarily in grades 6-12, within today's rapidly changing society. Based on constructivism, its second purpose is to deliver instruction through a standards-based, inquiry-focused approach that prepares educators to use effective instructional strategies in their own classrooms. Its third purpose is to ensure that a quality program is available to pre-service and in-service teachers who may be unable to attend class during traditional class hours. This program is unique in how it combines online support from Canvas with a variety of delivery formats:
- blended courses (online & face-to-face evenings)
- professional learning communities
- flexible summer programming
- totally online platform
These purposes are expanded and enhanced by the EdS program. This advanced degree offers standards-based concentrations within discipline areas. It infuses an inquiry-focused teacher leader approach that prepares teachers for assuming leadership roles in curriculum development and instructional delivery. It also provides experienced teachers with collaborative skills to serve as reflective practitioners in guiding school change as well as with mentoring techniques to positively impact student achievement and school improvement.
Prospective students should contact the Program Director, Paulette Evans at pgevans@uab.edu (205-975-7519).
For detailed information regarding admission requirements for the School of Education and Human Sciences graduate programs, please visit the Admissions Requirements website at https://www.uab.edu/education/studentservices/admission-requirements.
Master of Arts in Education in Secondary Education Traditional Master's Program
The M.A.Ed. degree requires a minimum of 33 credit hours for the Secondary Education program with concentrations in Biology, Chemistry, General Science, Mathematics, Physics, English Language Arts, General Social Science, and History. A minimum GPA of 3.25 is required.
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| All Concentrations | ||
| EDC 606 | The Dynamics of Educational Change | 3 |
| EDC 651 | Innovative Practices in Instruction | 3 |
| EDC 655 | Curriculum Principles and Practices | 3 |
| EPR 594 | Introduction to Educational Research Design | 3 |
| ECY 600 | Introduction to Exceptional Learner 1 | 3 |
| ALSDE-approved Diversity course | 3 | |
| Urban Education | ||
| Critical Social Issues in American Education | ||
| Social Movements in Education | ||
| Culture and American Education: Race Class and Gender | ||
| Positive Behavioral Supports | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
- 1
May not be required if previously completed
Concentration in Biology, 6-12
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Advisor-approved Biology courses at 500+ level | 12 | |
| EHS 615 | Advanced Methods: Science, Grades 6-12 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Concentration in Chemistry, 6-12
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Advisor-approved Chemistry courses at 500+ level | 12 | |
| EHS 615 | Advanced Methods: Science, Grades 6-12 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Concentration in General Science, 6-12
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Advisor-approved Science courses at 500+ level | 12 | |
| EHS 615 | Advanced Methods: Science, Grades 6-12 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Concentration in Mathematics, 6-12
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Advisor-approved Mathematics courses at 500+ level | 12 | |
| EHS 616 | Advanced Methods: Mathematics, Grades 6-12 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Concentration in Physics, 6-12
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Advisor-approved Physics courses at 500+ level | 12 | |
| EHS 615 | Advanced Methods: Science, Grades 6-12 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Concentration in English Language Arts, 6-12
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Advisor-approved courses at the 500+ level in English and another ELA field | 12 | |
| EHS 612 | Advanced Methods: English Language Arts, Grades 6-12 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Concentration in General Social Science, 6-12
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Advisor-approved courses at the 500+ level in 2 or more Social Science disciplines | 12 | |
| EHS 614 | Advanced Methods: Social Sciences, Grades 6-12 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Concentration in History, 6-12
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Advisor-approved History courses at the 500+ level | 12 | |
| EHS 614 | Advanced Methods: Social Sciences, Grades 6-12 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Master of Art in Education in Secondary Education Fifth Year Alternative Master's Program
The Alternative M.A.Ed. degree requires 37-40 credit hours for the Fifth Year Alternative Master's program in Secondary Education with concentrations in Biology, Chemistry, General Science, Mathematics, Physics, English Language Arts, General Social Science, and History. The Alabama State Department of Education requires a minimum GPA of 3.25 for certification.
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| All Concentrations | ||
| ECY 600 | Introduction to Exceptional Learner 1 | 3 |
| EDR 551 | Reading in Content Areas | 3 |
| EHS 556 | Classroom Mgt in Sec Schools | 3 |
| EHS 597 | Special Problems in Education: Diversity | 3 |
| EHS 690 | Intern Seminar in Sec Edu | 1 |
| EHS 691 | Secondary School Internship | 6 |
| EPR 511 | Measurement and Evaluation in Education Secondary Ed | 3 |
| Total Hours | 22 | |
- 1
May not be required if previously completed
Concentration in Biology, 6-12
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Advisor-approved Biology courses at the 500+ level | 12 | |
| EHS 537 | Methods I: Science, 6-12 | 3 |
| EHS 567 | Methods II: Science, 6-12 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Concentration in Chemistry, 6-12
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Advisor-approved Chemistry courses at the 500+ level | 12 | |
| EHS 537 | Methods I: Science, 6-12 | 3 |
| EHS 567 | Methods II: Science, 6-12 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Concentration in General Science, 6-12
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Advisor-approved 500+ level courses in two (2) Science Disciplines | 12 | |
| EHS 537 | Methods I: Science, 6-12 | 3 |
| EHS 567 | Methods II: Science, 6-12 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Concentration in Mathematics, 6-12
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Advisor-approved Mathematics courses at 500+ level | 12 | |
| EHS 535 | Methods I Mathematics 6-12 | 3 |
| EHS 565 | Methods II: Mathematics, 6-12 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Concentration in Physics, 6-12
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Advisor-approved Physics at 500+ level | 12 | |
| EHS 537 | Methods I: Science, 6-12 | 3 |
| EHS 567 | Methods II: Science, 6-12 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Concentration in English Language Arts, 6-12
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Advisor-approved at the 500+ level in English and another ELA field | 12 | |
| EHS 536 | Methods I: English Language Arts, 6-12 | 3 |
| EHS 566 | Methods II: English Language Arts, 6-12 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Concentration in General Social Science, 6-12
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Advisor-approved Courses in 2 or more 500+ level Social Science Disciplines | 12 | |
| EHS 538 | Methods I: Social Science, 6-12 | 3 |
| EHS 568 | Methods II: Social Science, 6-12 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Courses
EHS 530. Practicum. 1-2 Hour.
Field experience in school-based setting. Admission to Alternative Master's Program required.
Prerequisites: EDU 500 [Min Grade: C](Can be taken Concurrently)
EHS 535. Methods I Mathematics 6-12. 3 Hours.
Introduction to teaching mathematics in secondary school settings. Developing basic skills in planning, instruction, and assessment. Supervision fee.
EHS 536. Methods I: English Language Arts, 6-12. 3 Hours.
In this course, teacher candidates will explore the essentials of teaching English Language Arts in secondary schools, emphasizing planning, instruction, and assessment, alongside field supervision. This course establishes a foundation in content pedagogical skills and a deep connection between ELA research, theory, and practice. Teacher candidates will craft relevant, rigorous, and responsive lesson plans, considering diverse needs, interests, and experiences of students. Because this course is comprehensive, teacher candidates will gain valuable field experience with 40-50+ hours of direct engagement, preparing for the dynamic challenges in English Language Arts instruction. Admission to AMP required.
EHS 537. Methods I: Science, 6-12. 3 Hours.
Introduction to teaching science in secondary school settings. Developing basic skills in planning, instruction, and assessment. Admission to Alternative Master's Program required. Field supervision fee.
EHS 538. Methods I: Social Science, 6-12. 3 Hours.
This course explores theory and best teaching practices with disciplinary literacy and inquiry-based teaching practices for the secondary social studies classroom. This course emphasizes structuring into all components of lesson planning the historical thinking, literacy, and argumentation skills used by historians to analyze historical and contemporary issues and events. Pre-service teachers will apply these best teaching practices into their field placement requirements.
EHS 556. Classroom Mgt in Sec Schools. 3 Hours.
This course places an emphasis on exploring strategies to mitigate classroom management issues in the secondary classroom. Additionally, candidates explore ways to design procedures and develop norms to create and govern an inclusive and safe secondary classroom.
EHS 565. Methods II: Mathematics, 6-12. 3 Hours.
Preparation to plan, teach and assess mathematics in secondary school settings: making informed decisions about context, learners, learner differences, teaching strategies, methodologies, curricula, and assessment.
Prerequisites: EHS 535 [Min Grade: C]
EHS 566. Methods II: English Language Arts, 6-12. 3 Hours.
In this course, teacher candidates will explore the essentials of teaching English Language Arts in secondary schools, emphasizing planning, instruction, and assessment, alongside field supervision. This course goes beyond basics, focusing on developing content pedagogical skills and a deep connection between ELA research, theory, and practice. Teacher candidates will hone in on the arts and sciences of instruction and designing effective and equitable assessments that include the diverse needs, interests, and experiences of students. Because this course is comprehensive, students will continue growing in their field experience with 50-60+ hours of direct engagement, preparing for the dynamic challenges in English Language Arts instruction.
Prerequisites: EHS 536 [Min Grade: C]
EHS 567. Methods II: Science, 6-12. 3 Hours.
Preparation to plan, teach and assess science in secondary school settings: making informed decisions about context, learners, learner differences, teaching strategies, methodologies, curricula, and assessment.
Prerequisites: EHS 537 [Min Grade: C]
EHS 568. Methods II: Social Science, 6-12. 3 Hours.
This course focuses on theory and best teaching practices with disciplinary thinking skills and inquiry-based teaching practices for the secondary social studies classroom. This course stresses structuring into all components of lesson planning the civic thinking, literacy, and argumentation skills employed by political scientists to analyze historical and contemporary issues and events. Pre-service teachers will apply these best teaching practices into their field placement requirements.
Prerequisites: EHS 538 [Min Grade: C]
EHS 570. Practicum II. 1 Hour.
Field experience in school-based setting.
EHS 597. Special Problems in Education: Diversity. 3 Hours.
Seminar for graduate students; readings and research projects based on special interests. May be repeated for total of 6 hours. Field Supervision Fee.
EHS 600. Secondary Education Curriculum and Methods I. 3 Hours.
Introductory course in Alternative Masters Program for secondary school education. Developing basic teaching skills and understanding of interdependence among all levels within school and community. Course requires 40 hours of field experiences beyond class meetings.
EHS 612. Advanced Methods: English Language Arts, Grades 6-12. 3 Hours.
Advanced methods for teaching English language arts in grades 6-14. Includes curriculum development, classroom interaction, pedagogical activities, technology applications, source materials, current research, society issues, and cognitive development of students. Current classroom teaching required. Changed to Grades 6-12 (rather than 14) to align with secondary education grade levels.
EHS 614. Advanced Methods: Social Sciences, Grades 6-12. 3 Hours.
Advanced methods for teaching the social sciences in grades 6-14. Includes curriculum development, classroom interaction, pedagogical activities, technology applications, source materials, current research, society issues, and cognitive development of students. Current classroom teaching required.
EHS 615. Advanced Methods: Science, Grades 6-12. 3 Hours.
Advanced methods for teaching science in grades 6-14. Includes curriculum development, classroom interaction, pedagogical activities, technology applications, source materials, current research, society issues, and cognitive development of students. Current classroom teaching required.
EHS 616. Advanced Methods: Mathematics, Grades 6-12. 3 Hours.
Advanced methods for teaching mathematics in grades 6-14. Includes curriculum development, classroom interaction, pedagogical activities, technology applications, source materials, current research, society issues, and cognitive development of students. Current classroom teaching required.
Prerequisites: EHS 565 [Min Grade: C]
EHS 651. Innovative Practices in Teaching in Secondary School. 3 Hours.
Innovative practices in planning, instructing, and evaluating high school area studies. May be repeated if taken in different areas of study.
EHS 680. National Board Seminar for Secondary Education. 3 Hours.
Course involves 18 Saturday seminars during the school year to prepare teachers for National Board Candidacy and to support candidates as they go through the certification process. Students enrolled in this course may be either pre-candidates or candidates for National Board Certification.
EHS 681. Special Topics in Education. 1-6 Hour.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
EHS 690. Intern Seminar in Sec Edu. 1-3 Hour.
Observation and teaching in secondary school (15 weeks minimum). Includes attendance at several seminars on campus. Unconditional acceptance in Alternative Master's Program and approval of application for internship required.
EHS 691. Secondary School Internship. 3-9 Hours.
Observation and teaching in secondary school (15 weeks minimum). Includes attendance at a weekly seminar on campus. Prerequisites: Unconditional acceptance in 5th-Year Program and approval of application for internship.
EHS 692. Field Studies (Selected Educational Settings). 1-3 Hour.
Field Studies.
EHS 693. Advanced Field Experience. 3 Hours.
Field Studies.
EHS 698. Individual Research in Education. 1-6 Hour.
Research Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
EHS 720. Individual Research in Education. 3-6 Hours.
Research Prerequisites: Master's degree and permission of instructor.
Faculty
| Abadi, Azar, Assistant Professor, 2023, PhD (University of Nebraska-Lincoln), MS. Climate change and impacts on human health, demographic characteristics and Social Determinants of Health indicators, geospatial modeling, remote sensing applications, GIS applications in public health |
| Fanucchi, Michelle, Associate Professor, 2007, Ph.D. (University of California - Davis), Pulmonary cell biology and toxicology. Cell-to-cell interactions in the developing lung as well as in repair after lung injury and disease in children. Environmental Justice. Childhood lung disease and its etiology. Drug metabolism. |
| Karimi, Maryam E., Assistant Professor, 2019, Ph.D., M.P.A., M.S. (New York), Urban monitoring and resilience, specializing in assessing the impact of heat, air pollution, and flooding on community health, utilizing ground-level measurements and satellite remote sensing for tailored risk mitigation and response strategies, with focus areas including urban heat island and public health, environmental and social vulnerability, air pollution, COPD, built environment, and climate change resilience |
| Lungu, Claudiu T., Professor and Director, Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety, 2005, Ph.D. (South Carolina), Occupational exposure assessment, Control of exposures including development and test of sorbent materials used in Personal protective equipment (PPE) and environmental applications. |
| Odame, Emmanuel, Assistant Professor, 2019, Ph.D., M.P.H. (East Tennessee State), Health disparities, and Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) application in heat stress monitoring and evaluation. |
| Oh, Jonghwa, Assistant Professor, 2017, Ph.D. (UAB), Improvement of current occupational exposure assessment and control methods. |
| Price, Julie, Assistant Professor, 2020, Ph.D. (UAB), M.S. (Auburn University), Organizational sustainability, triple bottom line (environmental, social, and economic) contributors to public health, place-based experiential learning |
| Vilcassim, MJ Ruzmyn, Assistant Professor, 2019, Ph.D., M.S. (New York University), Health effects associate with or caused by exposure to environmental pollutants, with a special focus on particulate matter air pollution in urban environments |
| Wickliffe, Jeffrey, Professor and Chair, 2020, Ph.D. (Texas Tech University), M.S. (Texas A&M University), Assessing, understanding, and ultimately preventing adverse human health effects associated with exposure to environmental hazards guides my research, education, and service efforts. |
| Zierold, Kristina, Professor, 2018, Ph.D. (Illinois), M.S. (Vanderbilt University), Understanding how environmental pollutants impact the health of children and adults. Environmental epidemiology, air pollution, exposure to heavy metals, neurobehavioral and neurological health conditions, occupational injury and safety training in adolescents and young workers, community based participatory research |