The Department of Education is one of twelve departments in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. The Department works collaboratively within the academic diversity of the College and with the College of Science to promote academic excellence and social awareness.  The multidisciplinary community within which the Department is situated affords us unique opportunities to help students integrate the diverse intellectual and social elements of learning in a dynamic world.  The UAH Department of Education defines its mission through three elements.

• To prepare teachers who are academically strong, competent in theory and practice, and prepared to help resolve the educational needs for our complex society;
• To provide a supportive environment that encourages faculty to model sound pedagogical practices, to engage in research and scholarship, and to become better leaders within their areas of expertise;
• To make our teaching, research, and service available to the academic community of UAH and to the schools, organizations, and professional communities extending from our region to the national and international communities.

The Education Department, in conjunction with the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Science, offers undergraduate certification programs in the following areas:

• Art Education (Pre-K-12)
• Elementary Education (K-6)
• Secondary/High School Education (6-12) with majors in biology, chemistry, English-language arts, French, general science, German, history, mathematics, physics, social science, and Spanish
• Music Education (Pre-K-12)
  
  (Middle School endorsement may be added to an elementary or secondary certificate program, but advisement is needed.)

The issuance of an Alabama teaching certificate is the legal responsibility of the Alabama State Department of Education. Colleges and universities cannot issue a professional certificate. However, in order to be recommended for a professional teacher's certificate, a student must complete an appropriate course of study at a college or university which has been approved by the State Board of Education. When the student has completed the course of study, the institution recommends to the State Department of Education that a certificate be awarded. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the application for initial certification.

Programs offered by the Department of Education are designed to prepare teachers for professional certification at the Class B (bachelor's degree) or Class A (master's degree) level. The Education Department , in accordance with the Alabama State Board of Education, also provides courses for persons who hold expired certificates and wish to reinstate them. Students who expect to teach in states other than Alabama are responsible for a knowledge of the licensure requirements in those states. Some states have reciprocity with Alabama through interstate agreements of the State Department of Education. Such students should inform their advisor or the certification officer of their intentions, as the advisor and certification officer may be of assistance in ensuring compliance with other state's requirements.
Applications for an Alabama professional teaching certificate are available in the certification office. Students should make application for a teaching certificate during the final semester of their program.

Applicants for certification will be required to obtain background clearance through a fingerprinting review conducted by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI) after July 1, 1997. Individuals who obtain background clearance through the ABI will not be required to obtain another background clearance for additional certification as long as they hold a valid Alabama certificate. Individuals who obtain background clearance for the issuance of an Alabama certificate and allow their certificates to lapse for more than 90 days (holding no Alabama certificate for that 90-day period) will be required to obtain another background clearance for the issuance of any certificate or license.

Initial Certification

Successful completion of the bachelor's program in teacher education leads to Alabama Class B certification which is valid for five years. This certification may be renewed upon verification of successful teaching for four years and completion of an approved professional development program; or earning upper division or graduate level credit in the certification areas. Teachers are encouraged to earn Class A certification which may be incorporated into their employer’s professional development program.

Ensuring the Competence of Graduates

For a period of two years after program completion and recommendation for certification, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, through the Education Department, shall warranty and provide remediation at no cost to students who are evaluated to be unsatisfactory or deficient in any area of preparation. Remediation in professional education and/or teaching field departments will be based upon recommendations from the performance evaluations conducted by public school administrators who use the Alabama Professional Education Personnel Evaluation (PEPE) or comparable evaluations recognized and approved by the State Board of Education. This policy is consistent with the Alabama State Code of Education.

Department Contact Information:

    Morton Hall 232K
    256.824.6180 Phone
    256.824.6949 Fax
    educ@email.uah.edu
    

 

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