UAH: Department of Education

History of the UAH Department of Education

Ours is the responsibility of conserving, transmitting, rectifying and expanding the heritage of values we have received, that those who come after us may receive it more solid and secure, more widely accessible and more generously shared than we have received it. –John Dewey

The Department of Education at UAH has been involved in the preparation of educators since the University's inception in 1949. The earliest teacher education programs were offered under the auspices of the Extension Division at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. During the next 18 years, the Department grew and became more autonomous as the demand for courses and programs expanded. By 1967, students could complete all coursework in teacher education at UAH. That spring, the Board of Trustees of the Alabama System teacher education at UAH, and the first independent Department of Education was established.

The Department of Education has continued to grow and has added new graduate and undergraduate certification programs in response to new needs and demands from students, area schools, and the State Department of Education. The department established a strong voice in teacher education in North Alabama. We continue to prepare high quality elementary, middle, high school, and P-12 teachers at the graduate and undergraduate levels to assume leadership roles in public and private schools. Our candidates graduate as “Highly Qualified Teachers” and are recognized for their strong content and pedagogical preparation. The faculty in the department provides strong leadership in the profession through their teaching, research, and service to the university, area schools, and professional organizations.

Prospects for the future look bright. Enrollment in the Teacher Education Programs continues to grow. We have welcomed the arrival of promising new assistant professors in the past few years. Our programs are constantly being reviewed and enhanced to meet the needs of 21st century classrooms. We were awarded national accreditation by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) on March 30, 2006. We continue to expand our outreach and K-12 initiatives, thus strengthening our commitment to students and teachers in area schools.