School of Education & Human Sciences

General Information

The School of Education and Human Sciences offers a variety of majors leading to a master's, education specialist, or doctoral degree. Candidates in teacher certification graduate programs may pursue a degree in a variety of preschool through 12th grade teaching disciplines or in support programs in School Psychometry, School Psychology, or Educational Leadership. Non-teacher-certification programs include Community Health, Counseling (Mental Health or Marriage, Couples, & Family), Exercise Physiology, Higher Education Administration, Higher Education Intercollegiate Athletics Administration, and Learning Design and Learning Sciences. A complete listing and description of all graduate programs are included in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and Department of Human Studies sections of the catalog.  

All educator certification programs in the School of Education and Human Sciences are approved by the Alabama State Board of Education (ALSBE) and are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The Music program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The Art program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Degrees and Educator Certification

Degrees are awarded by UAB in recognition of scholastic achievement and may be pursued for their own sake. However, employment in the public schools is governed not by the degree but by the professional educator certificate issued by the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). Since many students in these programs are preparing for work in the public schools, the pursuit of a degree is usually coupled with pursuit of ALSDE certification. There is a correspondence between degree level and certification class, as follows: 

Bachelor's = Class B Professional Educator Certification

Master's = Class A Professional Educator Certification

Education Specialist (post-master's) = Class AA Professional Educator Certification

The doctoral degree does not have an equivalent associated educator certification

The admission and completion requirements for the degree are often significantly different from educator certification requirements. Students seeking certification should verify requirements with an advisor or program director. Alabama state regulations governing certification change often; therefore, it is incumbent upon the student to seek advisement each term.  Students should not register for any coursework without having first met with an advisor.