Teaching Education Degrees in Alabama

AD

Consider an online teaching program currently accepting applicants for 2024.

School Level Program Admissions

University of West Alabama

All Levels Online Bachelor's, Masters, Doctorate, Education Specialist and Alternative Class A Programs
Choose from more than 40 certification and non-certification education programs that can enhance your career as an educator inside or outside the classroom.
Website
Click for more online teaching programs currently accepting applicants for 2024.

Alabama is 25th in the nation in terms of number of teachers employed. Aspiring teachers must meet specific requirements before they can work as certified teachers. Below is an overview of the state’s requirements and some of the educational paths one can take to work as a teacher in Alabama.

Alabama has three levels of teacher certification. One (class B) is for Bachelor degree holders, one (class A) is for Master degree holders and one (class AA) is for doctoral degree holders or those who have specialty degrees.

  • 27 teaching programs in Alabama accredited by CAEP
  • 10 CAEP-accredited Bachelor's degrees
  • 13 CAEP-accredited Master's degrees in Alabama

To become certified to teach in Alabama, candidates must complete a Basic Skills Assessment and the Praxis Exam for any content-specific competence for the level of instruction they will provide. The Basic Skills Assessment has three sections – Reading for Information, Writing, and Applied Mathematics. They measure foundational skills to become an effective educator.

Requirements to Teach in Alabama

The Praxis Exam is a subject assessment that measures general and specific knowledge of the subject. There are 120 different tests. The candidate takes only those related to a particular discipline of teaching.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in education is the traditional means of earning a teaching certificate. Satisfying specific requirements will allow receiving an alternative certification. Those with a Bachelor’s degree can access a teaching certificate in a shorter amount of time.

Other criteria that must be met include:

  • Application for certification
  • $30 non-refundable application fee
  • Official transcripts of degrees and credits earned
  • Background clearance
  • Supplemental form(s) and supporting document(s)

Teaching credentials from other states are recognized in Alabama.

AD
School Level Program Admissions

University of West Alabama

All Levels Online Bachelor's, Masters, Doctorate, Education Specialist and Alternative Class A Programs
Choose from more than 40 certification and non-certification education programs that can enhance your career as an educator inside or outside the classroom.
Website

American University

Master Online Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership
CAEP Accredited. Learn how to evaluate, create, and implement effective policy that facilitates exceptional learning experiences for all students.
Website

University of West Florida

Master Online Master of Education Programs
CAEP Accredited. Programs in Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Education. Gives classroom teachers a specialized education for their student age group and career goals.
Website

Maryville University

Master Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership
Earn your Doctor of Education (EdD) in Higher Education Leadership online from Maryville University in as few as 32 months. Prepare to impact higher education on a sweeping scale.
Website

The University of Texas Permian Basin

Master MA in Special Education
CAEP-accredited, Complete in as little as 12 months, six start dates a year, cost-effective tuition.
Website

Purdue University

Master Online MS in Education
Specialized degrees in Special Education, Curriculum Instruction, Learning Design and Technology.
Website

University of West Florida

Master Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction
CAEP Accredited, 3 specializations.
Website

Arizona State University

Bachelor Online Bachelor of Education Programs Website

University of Dayton

Master Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership
Top-ranked online education program. Degree can be completed in as few as two years (additional time if pursuing the principal licensure track). No GRE required to apply.
Website
Click to view more online teaching programs currently accepting applicants.

To work in the Alabama public school system as a kindergarten, elementary, middle or high school teacher, you must have at least a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college.

Alabama Bachelors of Education Programs

These are typically four-year programs that must meet Alabama's coursework requirement, which is at least 32 semester hours of credits. The student must also have 19 semester hours of upper-level credits. Alabama has several universities offering education programs and a few of them are listed below.

Alabama A&M University offers several academic programs for potential teachers. The bachelor’s degree program is for early education and elementary school teachers. Students in this program must complete foundation courses prior to starting the actual two-semester teaching courses. A practicum course and internship is completed during the junior and senior years; however, the student must take the Praxis II test prior to the internship and must also pass exit exams in order to graduate.

Dual Education Certification Programs in Alabama

Students interested in obtaining dual certification in early childhood (P-K) and elementary (K-6) may find the ideal program at Jackson State University. JSU also offers several graduate degree programs as well as online degree programs for teaching. The University of Alabama offers bachelor and master degree programs in elementary education, secondary education, music education, special education and kinesiology as well as graduate programs in specialized areas such as educational psychology, nurse education and school counseling, among others.

Master's of Education Degrees in Alabama

UNA has bachelor and master degree programs for special education K-12 and elementary K-6. Additionally, they offer certification programs for various areas of study including chemistry, music, mathematics, biology, physical education and almost any subject matter imaginable. University of South Alabama has a wide range of education programs in both the bachelor and master degree levels and various certification programs as well as continuing education programs for teachers in need of re-certification. The University of Mobile has programs for early childhood education, elementary education and secondary education.

AD
School Level Program Admissions

University of West Alabama

All Levels Online Bachelor's, Masters, Doctorate, Education Specialist and Alternative Class A Programs
Choose from more than 40 certification and non-certification education programs that can enhance your career as an educator inside or outside the classroom.
Website

American University

Master Online Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership
CAEP Accredited. Learn how to evaluate, create, and implement effective policy that facilitates exceptional learning experiences for all students.
Website

University of West Florida

Master Online Master of Education Programs
CAEP Accredited. Programs in Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Education. Gives classroom teachers a specialized education for their student age group and career goals.
Website

Maryville University

Master Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership
Earn your Doctor of Education (EdD) in Higher Education Leadership online from Maryville University in as few as 32 months. Prepare to impact higher education on a sweeping scale.
Website

The University of Texas Permian Basin

Master MA in Special Education
CAEP-accredited, Complete in as little as 12 months, six start dates a year, cost-effective tuition.
Website

Purdue University

Master Online MS in Education
Specialized degrees in Special Education, Curriculum Instruction, Learning Design and Technology.
Website

University of West Florida

Master Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction
CAEP Accredited, 3 specializations.
Website

Arizona State University

Bachelor Online Bachelor of Education Programs Website

University of Dayton

Master Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership
Top-ranked online education program. Degree can be completed in as few as two years (additional time if pursuing the principal licensure track). No GRE required to apply.
Website
CAEP Accredited Teaching Programs

List of the Best CAEP Accredited Teaching Degrees in Alabama

Qatar University
Doha
CAEP
  • Bachelors in B.Ed. in Primary Education ACEI
  • Bachelors in B.Ed. in Secondary Education English (ESL) Concentration TESOL
  • Post Bachelors in Diploma in Early Childhood Education NAEYC
  • Post Bachelors in Diploma in Primary Education ACEI
  • Post Bachelors in Diploma in Secondary Education English Language Concentration TESOL
  • Post Bachelors in Diploma in Special Education CEC
  • Masters in Masters in Education Special Education CEC
  • Masters in Masters in Education, Educational Leadership ELCC
Sultan Qaboos University
Alkhodh
CAEP
  • Bachelors in Early Childhood Education NAEYC
  • Bachelors in English Learning & Teaching ACTFL
  • Bachelors in Math Education NCTM
  • Bachelors in Science Education NSTA
Universidad De Puerto Rico De Cayey
Cayey
CAEP
  • Bachelors in Elementary Education ACEI
  • Bachelors in Physical Education NASPE
  • Bachelors in Secondary Education: English TESOL
  • Bachelors in Secondary Education: Science NSTA
  • Bachelors in Special Education CEC
Universidad De Puerto Rico Ponce
Ponce
CAEP
  • Bachelors in Elementary Education ACEI
Universidad De Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Campus
San Juan
CAEP
  • Bachelors in Early Childhood Education NAEYC
  • Bachelors in Elementary Ed. Kindergarten to Third Grade NAEYC
  • Bachelors in Elementary Education - Fourth to Sixth Grade ACEI
  • Bachelors in Physical Education NASPE
  • Bachelors in Secondary Mathematics Education NCTM
  • Bachelors in Secondary Science NSTA
  • Bachelors in Special Education CEC
  • Bachelors in Teaching of English to Spanish Speakers TESOL
University of Guam
Mangilao
CAEP
  • Masters in Administration and Supervision ELCC
  • Bachelors in Elementary Education ACEI
  • Masters in Role 6 Reading Specialist ILA
UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO
Humacao
CAEP
  • Bachelors in TESOL TESOL
University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo
Arecibo
CAEP
  • 0 in Elementary Education Program ACEI
University of Puerto Rico at Bayamon
Bayamon
CAEP
  • Bachelors in Early Childhood Education NAEYC
  • Bachelors in Elementary and Special Physical Education NASPE
  • Bachelors in Elementary Education ACEI
University of Puerto Rico at Utuado
Utuado
CAEP
  • Bachelors in Elementary Education (2007 Standards) ACEI
University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla
Aguadilla
CAEP
  • Bachelors in Elementary Education ACEI
University of the Virgin Islands
Charlotte Amalie
CAEP
  • Bachelors in Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education ACEI

Scholarships/Financial Aid Available

Residents of Alabama or those attending an Alabama university or college are eligible for specific awards. Here are some examples:

Alabama Student Grant Programs

This state student assistance program is designed to provide residents of Alabama with financial aid for undergraduate study. The typical high school diploma or GED is required. Students must be an Alabama resident, U.S. Citizen or in the citizenship process, and do not plan an undergraduate degree for a religious vocation.

TEACH Grants

Grants from the TEACH Grant Program provide up to $4000 per year to students who are completing or are planning to complete coursework required to begin a teaching career. As a condition, recipients must sign an agreement to teach

  • In a field of high-need
  • At elementary or secondary school level , or some educational service agency serving students from low-income families
  • For at least four of eight academic years after the completion of a course of study covered by the grant received

Requirements to Qualify for In-State Tuition

The state of Alabama governs the rules regarding in-state tuition. The standard makes qualifying difficult for the majority of undergraduates whose parents are not living in Alabama. The age of emancipation in Alabama is 19, instead of the standard 18 years of age. To be eligible for in-state tuition, a person must live in Alabama for one year.

Students cannot begin the one-year domicile period until they are 19. It is not until the junior year that most students can earn residency. Some schools vary in the way they implement the 19-year-old clause. There may be a way around it. Proof of employment and part-time or no school is an expected qualification.

As a member of the Academic Common Market, Alabama has a limited regional reciprocity agreement with select Southern States. Favorable tuition rates in states that are nearby are sometimes possible. Many restrictions apply. One of them is the degree being sought is not offered in another college of the home state.

Clinical Education Degrees in Alabama

UA also has special clinical education programs that assist students in completing field experience and internships that may be required by their programs. Online education programs are also offered at UA. Other Alabama universities that offer teaching programs include University of West Alabama, Huntingdon College and Oakwood University as well as many others. Many of these colleges also offer teaching programs through distance learning.

Alabama Certifications, Praxis, and Exit Exams

The exit exams must be in the area the student has chosen: early education or elementary school. In addition to the basic teacher’s program, Alabama A&M also offers baccalaureate programs for teachers that wish to specialize in a specific subject matter such as music, PE, science, math, etc. A&M also offers a master degree program for both early education and elementary school teachers. Master programs are for teachers who want to teach at the highest level and generally offer higher wages.

In addition to earning a teaching degree, Alabama teachers must pass the Alabama Educator Certification Testing Program and the Praxis II tests for their area of certification.