Secondary Education

Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education

UAB's state-approved Secondary Education program prepares candidates to teach in grades 6–12 in English Language Arts and General Social Studies. Candidates may earn certification in Mathematics and Science through the UABTeach program. Please find additional information in the UABTeach section of the undergraduate catalog.

The Secondary Education program is grounded in research-based practices and emphasizes both deep content knowledge and effective instructional strategies tailored to adolescent learners. Candidates engage in structured coursework and extensive clinical experiences in a variety of middle and high school settings, where they learn to design engaging lessons, assess student learning, manage classrooms effectively, and support the academic and social development of all students.

To be eligible for certification through UAB's program, candidates must meet several key requirements outlined by the Alabama State Department of Education. These requirements include maintaining an overall GPA of 2.50 in all coursework as well as a 2.50 in teaching field and in professional studies courses. Candidates may not earn a grade below a C in any professional studies course. 

Additionally, all candidates must obtain background clearance through the Alabama State Department of Education, which includes fingerprinting and a criminal history background check conducted by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Candidates must also pass all required state assessments and successfully complete a full-time internship in a secondary classroom. Upon completion of these requirements, UAB will recommend candidates for initial certification to teach in Alabama’s secondary education settings.

Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a Concentration in English

Leads to Class B Alabama Professional Educator Certification in Secondary English Language Arts

RequirementsHours
Blazer Core Curriculum Requirements 141
As part of the Blazer Core take the following:
Touch the Future
English Composition I 2
Introduction to Freshman Writing I
English Composition II 2
Introduction to Freshman Writing II
Pre-Calculus Algebra
Finite Mathematics
Reasoning
Public Speaking 3
Forms of Literature
Introduction to the Theatre 4
Scientific Inquiry
Scientific Inquiry
Introduction to Psychology 5
Ideas in Literature
Lifelong Health & Wellness
Intro to Geography
Additional Teaching Field Related Courses6
History of Mass Media
Media Writing
Professional Studies
EDU 200Education as a Profession3
EDF 362Foundations of Education I: Social, Historical, Philosophical3
EPR 363Foundations of Education II: Psychological3
ECY 300Survey of Special Education3
Secondary Education Courses (requires TEP admission)
EHS 436Methods I: English Language Arts 6-123
EHS 466Methods II: Language Arts 6-123
EHS 497Teaching and Learning in Diverse Classrooms3
EHS 456Classroom Management in Secondary Schools3
EDR 442Reading in Content Areas3
EPR 411Measurement and Evaluation in Education3
Internship 6
EHS 490Secondary School Student Teaching I6
EHS 489Internship Seminar in Secondary Education1
English Literature Major Courses 731
English Electives
EDR 441Literature for Adolescents3
or EH 419 Young Adult Literature
Advisor-approved 400-level English(EH) elective3
Total Hours121

A minimum of 120 hours are required for graduation. Students may need to take general electives to reach the credit hour requirement. Elective hours may vary based on course selection.

1

See Blazer Core section for full list of requirements and elective options.

2

Fulfills Blazer Core Academic Foundations: Freshman Writing requirement.

3

Fulfills Blazer Core Communication in the Modern World requirement.

4

Fulfills Blazer Core Thinking Broadly: The Creative Arts requirement.

5

Fulfills Blazer Core Thinking Broadly: Humans and their Societies requirement.

6

Internship courses must be taken AFTER admission to TEP.

7

Students pursuing Class B certification in English Language Arts (6-12) must declare a second academic major in English Literature that includes a minimum of 30 credit hours in the teaching field. Of the 30 credit hours in the teaching field, at least 18 must be at the 300- or 400-level and coursework must include literature, grammar, reading skills, writing, speech, drama/theatre, and print or broadcast journalism.

Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a Concentration in General Social Science 

Leads to Class B Alabama Professional Educator Certification in General Social Studies

RequirementsHours
Blazer Core Curriculum Requirements 141
As part of the Blazer Core take the following:
English Composition I 2
Introduction to Freshman Writing I
English Composition II 2
Introduction to Freshman Writing II
Pre-Calculus Algebra
Finite Mathematics
Reasoning
Public Speaking 3
Western Civilization I 4
Western Civilization II 4
Introduction to Psychology 5
Creative Arts
Scientific Inquiry: Natural Sciences with Lab
Scientific Inquiry: Natural Sciences with Lab
Intro to Geography
Additional Teaching Field Related Courses
Foundations & Professional Studies
HY 120The United States To 18773
HY 121The United States Since 18773
SOC 100Introduction to Sociology3
PSC 101Foundations of American Government3
EC 210Principles of Microeconomics3
GEO 491Environmental Policy3
Professional Studies Courses
EDU 200Education as a Profession3
EDF 362Foundations of Education I: Social, Historical, Philosophical3
EPR 363Foundations of Education II: Psychological3
ECY 300Survey of Special Education3
Secondary Education Courses (Requires admission to TEP)
EHS 438Methods I: Social Science 6-123
EHS 468Methods II: Social Science 6-123
EPR 411Measurement and Evaluation in Education3
EHS 456Classroom Management in Secondary Schools3
EHS 497Teaching and Learning in Diverse Classrooms3
EDR 442Reading in Content Areas3
Internship 6
EHS 490Secondary School Student Teaching I6
EHS 489Internship Seminar in Secondary Education1
History Major Courses 7
HY 225History of Alabama3
HY 271Traditional East Asian History and Culture3
or HY 476 Japan to the 19th Century
or HY 477 Modern Japan
HY 497History Capstone3
History Electives 815
Total Hours120

A minimum of 120 hours are required for graduation. Students may need to take general electives to reach the credit hour requirement. Elective hours may vary based on course selection.

You should confer with advisors in Education and CAS about specific history requirements. Students seeking teacher certification may have more specific requirements than non-certification students.

1

See the Blazer Core section of the catalog for specific requirements and elective course options.

2

Fulfills Blazer Core Academic Foundations: Freshman Writing requirement.

3

Fulfills Blazer Core Academic Foundations: Communication in the Modern World requirement.

4

Fulfills Blazer Core Thinking Broadly: History and Meaning requirement.

5

Fulfills Blazer Core Thinking Broadly: Humans and their Societies requirement.

6

 Internship courses must be taken AFTER admission to TEP

7

Students pursuing Class B certification in General Social Studies (6-12) must declare a second academic major in History that includes a minimum of 30 credit hours in the teaching field. Of the 30 credit hours in the teaching field, at least 18 must be at the 300- or 400-level and coursework must include economics, geography, history, political science/civics, and the social/behavioral sciences.

8

Select five courses in History (HY) including two at the 300-level or above and three at the 400-level.