Alabama Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide

This guide to teacher preparation programs in the state of Alabama provides key information to help you research options for pursuing a teaching degree. Several colleges and universities in Alabama offer degree programs to prepare students to become teachers or advance in a teaching career. Scroll down to find lists of top-rated teaching programs, a table of accredited, state-approved teacher preparation programs, and student reviews. Whether you are a first-time college student or are switching from another career you can start your search here for a program to fit your needs and goals.

Table of Contents

• Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
• Top-Ranked Schools with Education Programs
• Select Schools with Teacher Preparation Degrees
• Schools with Associate Degrees in Education
• Student Reviews

Quick Facts

• There are 28 colleges and universities with teacher degree programs in Alabama.¹
• 1 school offers an associate’s degree in education.¹
• 27 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in education.¹
• 20 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in education.¹
• 1 school ranked in Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Education Majors 2022.²
• 6 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2022.³
• 7 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online Master’s in Education Programs 2022.⁴
• 20 educator preparation providers (EPPs) are accredited by the NCATE, TEAC, or CAEP.⁵

For not-for-profit schools with teacher degree programs.

Comparison of Alabama Schools with Teacher Preparation Programs

We have designed the following table to help you compare teacher preparation programs in Alabama according to various factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) for the preparation of teachers. Completing a state-approved teacher preparation program is an important step towards earning licensure.

While accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) is not a requirement for licensure, it is included in the following table as CAEP provides a highly-regarded accreditation that is accepted in many states.

You will also find data on teacher preparation program enrollment, completion, and licensing exam pass rates by institution, for both traditional and alternative programs, for the 2018-2019 academic year in this table. These data points are collected from annual US Department of Education reports under Title II (Teacher Quality) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which holds institutions and state departments of education accountable for increasing academic achievement through improvements in teacher quality. Traditional teacher preparation programs are usually completed as part of a bachelor’s degree program. Alternative certification programs are typically designed for career changers looking to enter the field and lead to a postgraduate certificate or a master’s degree. Many schools in our table offer both traditional and alternative programs. Take a look at our Alabama traditional and alternative certification guides for more information.

Finally, we have provided the net price per year for undergraduate tuition, based on the cost of attendance (tuition, books, room and board, and related expenses) for students who qualify for in-state tuition and fees, less the average financial aid award (including grants and scholarships).

• — indicates none or not applicable.
• N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.

Top-Ranked Schools with Education Programs in Alabama

Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Education Majors 2022

• Auburn University

US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2022

• Auburn University (#85 tie)
• University of Alabama-Birmingham (#111 tie)
• University of Alabama (#125 tie)
• Samford University (#198 tie)
• Alabama A&M University (#205 tie)
• Alabama State University (#211-277)

US News & World Report’s Best Online Master’s in Education Programs 2022

• Auburn University (#14 tie)
• University of Alabama (#20 tie)
• University of Alabama-Birmingham (#28 tie)
• University of Montevallo (#108 tie)
• Troy University (#182 tie)
• Auburn University-Montgomery (#199 tie)
• Alabama State University (#233 tie)

Select Alabama Schools with Teacher Preparation Degrees

Auburn University

The Auburn University (AU) College of Education is located on the university’s main campus in Auburn. Students are able to choose from unique undergraduate majors like Rehabilitation and Disability Studies and Collaborate Teacher Special Education: K-12. Minors include Community Music, Counseling, and Training and Workforce Development. Graduate offerings include certificates, Master of Education (M.Ed.), Master of Science (MS), Educational Specialist (EdS), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs in a variety of subjects. Graduate degrees are also available in areas spanning administration, curriculum studies, adult education, educational psychology, library media, and educational research.

University of Alabama

Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, the University of Alabama’s (UA or Bama) College of Education is home to the departments of Curriculum and Instruction; Educational Leadership, Policy, and Technology Studies; Educational Studies in Psychology, Research Methodology, and Counseling; Special Education; Kinesiology; and Music Education that confer dozens of degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. The College was founded in 1844, just 13 years after UA was established in 1831. Some of the majors offered by the College of Education include Early Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Special Education, Counselor Education, Educational Leadership, and Educational Psychology. The UA College of Education serves thousands of students with the goal of preparing educational practitioners to serve their students and contribute to the greater good of the communities in which they live.

Schools with Associate Degrees in Education

While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate’s degree can be the first step towards a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred towards a bachelor’s degree. The following Alabama schools offer associate’s degrees in education.¹ Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.

Huntsville Bible College*
906 Oakwood Ave
Huntsville, Alabama 35811
(256) 469-7536
www.huntsvillebiblecollege.org

Student Reviews

Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
(334) 844-4000
www.auburn.edu

Student Review: “I really enjoyed the teaching program at Auburn University. I was able to specialize in elementary education and get excellent teaching instruction. All the teachers were very knowledgeable and friendly which made it easy to ask questions when needed. I was required to participate in student teaching which gave me a first hand experience at what being a teacher is actually like. I learned very fast that it is hard work but my teachers kept encouraging me to do my very best. In the teaching program I learned the best methods to interact with students and how to help students achieve their very best. The teaching program at Auburn has an excellent reading program that is top of the line. I feel like I was very well prepared when I accepted my first teaching job out of college. All of my new coworkers were very impressed with my teaching skills and I tell everyone I know who is interested in teaching that Auburn has the best program around. There were a few things that the program could improve on in the future. I was not used to interacting with parents and talking in front of adults. I think as part of the student teaching experience, the student teacher should be required to have contact with the parents of the kids and be graded on how well they communicate to the parents.” -John G., student at Auburn University

Troy University
University Ave
Troy, AL 36082-0001
(334) 670-3100
www.troy.edu

Student Review: “The Secondary Education program at Troy University helped to prepare me for the many challenges of teaching. The program was thorough and involved many teaching scenarios and environments. Group projects promoted teamwork and broadened students’ ability to cooperate and teach in front of others for practice. Technology was incorporated heavily into the curriculum. The use of new applications and websites was encouraged and there was a lot of input from professors and students on what tools are most useful for classroom management and organization. The professors were personable and helpful. Many of them were happy to help students with interviewing skills and resume preparation. My only complaint is that the schools with which our university cooperated were often unorganized and unprepared to work with us as students. There was frequently confusion as to when and where student teaching and observations would take place. Occasionally, these mishaps caused students to miss out on required assignments.” -Student at Troy University

University of Alabama at Birmingham
Administration Bldg Suite 1070
Birmingham, AL 35294-0110
(205) 934-4011
www.uab.edu

Student Review: “My educational experience at University of Alabama at Birmingham was very positive. The professors and staff always had my best interests in mind and made it their goal to have me succeed in becoming a master’s level teacher. I was provided with the best possible professors and in field supervising teachers in the area. The availability of teaching technology was superior and was integrated into all facets of our education. The special education courses were superior to all others I had previously taken in my college career. I was taught by current teachers, who understood what knowledge was truly needed in order to be a successful teacher. With the vast variety of school systems in the Birmingham area, students had the opportunity to interact with children from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds in a wide range of school settings.” -Shannon S., student at University of Alabama at Birmingham

Student Review: “The University of Alabama at Birmingham is an excellent school and tuition is very affordable for a state university. The staff members are generally helpful and friendly and I can’t particularly say I’ve had a bad experience with any of the employees. There is an excellent athletic facility on campus, a large grassy area in the middle of the university called the Campus Green, and plenty of activities to be involved in if you so desire. Most of the professors I had kept regular office hours, were always willing to help or answer questions, and had fair grading practices. The only real exception is the math department because all homework and tests are done online via Course Compass, which can be frustrating. Just like any university parking can be hectic, but you probably won’t have to walk more than a few blocks even during the busiest hours. BlazerNet, the school’s intranet site from which you access online classes, grades, and can register for classes, is a tad confusing and a little dated looking. However if you know what you are doing you can easily perform most school related tasks on.” -Roger J., student at University of Alabama at Birmingham

Student Review: “The education program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham has been a great experience overall. The first two education classes I have been in I have leaned a great deal of information in and have been very helpful in my path as a pre-service teacher working towards applying to TEP. The Step 1 and 2 classes in the TEACH program were also a wonderful opportunity to decide if I wanted to start working towards becoming a teacher by allowing me to write my own lesson plans and teach them in elementary and middle school classrooms. The hands-on opportunities I had at UAB and the teachers that really push you to do the best you can are what have really made the program a good experience for me.” – Student at University of Alabama at Birmingham

Student Review: “I attended the University of Alabama. Although this major university in the Deep South is known for its giant population, the College of Education is the second smallest college within the University. I very much enjoyed being a part of a major university; however, being able to have small class sizes, and getting to know my professors and peers. Tuscaloosa has two school systems, so, I was able to have a variety of experiences during my student teaching. I experienced high-income, advanced classes, and I experienced low-income, special education classes. This benefited me in the long run, and I am now able to appreciate the variety of experiences available to me. Many disappointments from my college experience include the discouragement I received from faculty in the College of Education. Many disillusioned former teachers would disparage the profession, and often tell us that becoming a teacher is a waste of time because ‘kids just aren’t what they used to be.’ Furthermore, the college as a whole was resistant to moving towards electronic communication, assignments, or documentation. This was troubling due to the fact that so little time is spend in Graves Hall by students, because they are all out in the field. I believe a push to work towards streamlining communication through technology has occurred since I attended, but it was a major issue during my time.” – Student at University of Alabama at Birmingham

University of North Alabama
One Harrison Plz
Florence, AL 35632-0001
(256) 765-4100
www.una.edu

Student Review: “I am an instrumental music education major at the University of North Alabama. The music department has a stellar reputation and has lived up to every bit of it. I have learned so much from my music classes as they not only teach the textbook information you need, but also teach you information directly related to your career. UNA has many fields and is a top university in the state. There are plenty of student organizations to join related to your field. The campus is beautiful and everything is within a comfortable walking distance. The only negative for me is that some of the education department faculty do not follow any of the ideals that they are supposed to teach you about and give a very bad example to follow as a teacher.” -Christopher V., student at University of North Alabama

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. The Princeton Review. The Best 385 Colleges, 2022 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2021.
3. US News & World Report Best Graduate Education Schools 2022: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings
4. US News & World Report Best Online Graduate Education Schools 2022: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/education/rankings
5. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): http://caepnet.org/provider-search
6. US Department of Education 2020 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx