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.

Major in Secondary Education - English

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
Public Speaking 3
Introduction to the Theatre 4
Introduction to Psychology 5
Additional English Language Arts Requirements
CMST 103History of Mass Media3
CMST 210Media Writing3
Major in Secondary Education
Foundations & Professional Studies
EDU 200Education as a Profession3
EHS 401Practices in Secondary Lesson Design3
EDF 362Foundations of Education I: Social, Historical, Philosophical3
EPR 363Foundations of Education II: Psychological3
Secondary Education Courses (requires TEP admission)
EHS 436Methods I: English Language Arts 6-123
ECY 300Survey of Special Education3
EHS 466Methods II: Language Arts 6-123
EPR 411Measurement and Evaluation in Education3
EH 452Grammar and Usage for English Teachers3
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
Major in English Literature
Teaching field courses previously listed
English Composition I
Introduction to Freshman Writing I
English Composition II
Introduction to Freshman Writing II
Public Speaking
Introduction to the Theatre
History of Mass Media
Media Writing
Writing
EH 301Reading, Writing, and Research for Literature Classes3
Professional Writing/Technical Writing:6
Select two from the following at least one with an asterisk:
Editing in Professional Contexts
Introduction to Professional Writing
Developing Digital Documents
Tutoring Writing
Writing in Popular Periodicals
Business Writing *
Technical Writing *
Professional Writing: Special Topics
Academic Writing
Digital Publishing (*)
Language & Linguisitcs
LING 350Introduction to Linguistics3
or LING 351 Structure of English
Capstone Requirement3
Take a 400-level English course as approved by your advisor.
Young Adult Literature
EDR 441Literature for Adolescents3
or EH 419 Young Adult Literature
African-American Literature/Multicultural Literature3
Select any three credit hour course from the following:
African American Literature, 1746-1954
African American Literature, 1954-Present
African Literature
African Women's Literature
African-American Special Topics
African American Dramatic Tradition
African American Poetry Tradition
The Slave Narrative and Its Literary Expressions
Black Women Writers
The Harlem Renaissance
Other Literature Courses15
Pre-1800 Literature
Select six credit hours (two courses) form the following:
American Literature
American Literature, 1620 - 1820
British Literature
Medieval Culture: Literature and Society
Arthurian Legend
Beowulf in Context
English Renaissance Drama (Excluding Shakespeare)
English Renaissance Poetry and Prose
Shakespeare
Milton
Post-1800 Literature
Select nine credit hours (three courses) from the following:
American Literature
Modern American Poetry
Literary Theory and Criticism, the Twentieth Century to the Present
Women's Literature and Theory
American Literature, 1820 - 1870
American Literature, 1870 - 1914
American Literature, 1914 - 1945
British Literature
Modern British and European Drama
The Eighteenth Century: Literature and Culture
The Eighteenth Century: Theory and Interpretation
British Romanticism
Eighteenth-Century British Novel
Nineteenth-Century British Novel
British Novel: The Modern Age
James Joyce
Total Hours126

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

 Blazer Core Curriculum requirements

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.

Secondary Education/General Social Science Major

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
Public Speaking 3
Western Civilization I 4
Western Civilization II 4
Introduction to Psychology 5
Additional Social & Behavioral Science
HY 120The United States To 18773
HY 121The United States Since 18773
SOC 100Introduction to Sociology3
PSC 101Foundations of American Government3
PSC 221American State and Local Government3
GEO 121World Regional Geography 53
GEO 491Environmental Policy3
Major in Secondary Education
Foundations & Professional Studies
EDU 200Education as a Profession3
EHS 401Practices in Secondary Lesson Design3
EDF 362Foundations of Education I: Social, Historical, Philosophical3
EPR 363Foundations of Education II: Psychological3
Secondary Education Courses (Requires admission to TEP)
EHS 438Methods I: Social Science 6-123
ECY 300Survey of Special Education3
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
Major in History
Teaching field courses previously listed under Core Curriculum
Western Civilization I
Western Civilization II
The United States To 1877
The United States Since 1877
Introduction to Psychology
World Regional Geography
Introduction to Sociology
Foundations of American Government
American State and Local Government
Environmental Policy
Additional Teaching Field Courses
HY 225History of Alabama3
HY 271Traditional East Asian History and Culture3
or HY 476 Japan to the 19th Century
or HY 477 Modern Japan
Non-Western History 7
HY 497History Capstone3
HY Electives at 300-400 Level 815
EC 440Economics for Educators3
Total Hours129

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.

For other history courses see the current checklist in the Offices of Student Services within the School of Education. See the requirements for a history major within the catalog listings for the College of Arts and Sciences. 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

 Blazer Core Curriculum requirements

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 much be taken AFTER admission to TEP

7

Please consult your academic advisor for this requirement.

8

At least 9 hours of history electives must be at the 400-level.