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 a table of top-rated teaching programs, student reviews, and a list of accredited teacher preparation programs. 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.
Quick Facts
- There are 28 colleges and universities with teacher degree programs in Alabama.1
- No colleges offer an associate’s degree in education.*1
- 28 colleges and universities offer a bachelor’s degree in education.*1
- 18 colleges and universities offer a master’s or advanced degree in education.*1
- 2 schools were in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges in 2017.2
- 4 schools ranked in US News Best Graduate Education Programs in 2017.3
- 5 schools ranked in US News Best Online Graduate Education Programs in 2017.4
- 20 not-for-profit teacher programs are accredited by the NCATE, TEAC, or CAEP.
*For not-for-profit colleges and universities with teacher degree programs.
Top-Ranked Schools with Education Programs in Alabama
Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges 2017*
- Auburn University (#43 in-state, #68 out-of-state)
- University of Alabama (#60 in-state, #54 out-of-state)
*Institution-wide ranking.
US News Best Graduate Education Programs 2017
- Auburn University (#89)
- University of Alabama (#93)
- University of Alabama-Birmingham (#101)
- Samford University (#161)
US News Best Online Graduate Education Programs 2017
- Auburn University (#10)
- University of Alabama-Birmingham (#29)
- Samford University (#136)
- Troy University (#136)
- Alabama State University (#193)
Teacher Preparation Programs Accredited by the NCATE, TEAC, or CAEP
- Alabama A&M University
- Alabama State University
- Athens State University
- Auburn University
- Auburn University Montgomery
- Faulkner University
- Jacksonville State University
- Miles College
- Oakwood University
- Samford University
- Stillman College
- Troy University
- Tuskegee University
- University of Alabama
- University of Alabama-Birmingham
- University of Alabama-Huntsville
- University of Montevallo
- University of North Alabama
- University of South Alabama
- University of West Alabama
Read more about the CAEP, NCATE, and TEAC accrediting bodies.
Comparison of 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 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. We have also included rankings from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), a research and policy group that scores teacher preparation programs at the national level using key standards chosen to measure students’ preparation for success in teaching. For further information on the NCTQ’s program rankings, please see the notes below the table.
You will also find data on teacher preparation program enrollment, completion, and licensing exam pass rates by institution for the 2014-2015 academic year in this table. These data points are collected from annual US Department of Education records under Title II (Teacher Quality) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which provides for reporting that holds institutions and state departments of education accountable for increasing academic achievement through improvements in teacher quality.
Programs that are not ranked, or for which data is not available, in a given category are denoted as “-“.
State-Approved School | CAEP Accred.?5 | NCTQ Undergrad Elementary Prog. % (2016)**6 | NCTQ Undergrad Secondary Prog. % (2017)**6 | Teacher Prep Prog. Enrollment7 | Teacher Prep Prog. Completers7 | Licensing Exams Pass Rate7 | Net Price***1 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama A&M University | Yes | — | — | 132 | 29 | 100% | $15,547 |
Alabama State University | Yes | — | 16% | 61 | 32 | 100% | $12,796 |
Athens State University | Yes | 1% | 16% | 620 | 222 | 100% | — |
Auburn University | Yes | 47% | 83% | 282 | 214 | 100% | $21,698 |
Auburn University-Montgomery | Yes | — | — | 191 | 41 | 100% | $14,518 |
Birmingham-Southern College | No | — | 54% | 54 | 12 | 91% | $24,630 |
Concordia College Alabama | No | 21% | — | 86 | 4 | — | $23,006 |
Faulkner University | Yes | — | — | 72 | 21 | 100% | $19,877 |
Huntingdon College | No | — | — | 86 | 24 | 100% | $21,041 |
Jacksonville State University | Yes | — | — | 565 | 146 | 100% | $12,474 |
Judson College | No | — | — | 9 | 4 | — | $17,232 |
Miles College | Yes | 6% | 18% | 22 | 10 | — | $16,427 |
Oakwood University | Yes | — | — | 99 | 10 | 100% | $26,427 |
Samford University | Yes | — | — | 171 | 36 | 100% | $29,544 |
Spring Hill College | No | — | — | 51 | 18 | 100% | $20,441 |
Stillman College | Yes | — | — | 11 | 8 | — | $12,685 |
Talladega College | No | — | — | 1 | — | 100% | $12,690 |
Troy University | Yes | 23% | 21% | 177 | 192 | 100% | $20,133 |
Tuskegee University | Yes | — | — | 62 | 11 | 100% | $10,283 |
University of Alabama | Yes | 89% | — | 624 | 218 | 100% | $20,133 |
University of Alabama-Birmingham | Yes | — | — | 345 | 77 | 100% | $16,092 |
University of Alabama-Huntsville | Yes | — | 96% | 72 | 33 | 100% | $14,190 |
University of Mobile | No | 38% | 34% | 40 | 53 | 100% | $21,567 |
University of Montevallo | Yes | — | — | 206 | 47 | 100% | $17,607 |
University of North Alabama | Yes | — | 40% | 147 | 94 | 100% | $10,427 |
University of South Alabama | Yes | 12% | — | 261 | 109 | 100% | $12,963 |
University of West Alabama | Yes | 28% | 31% | 293 | 39 | 100% | $13,545 |
*The NCTQ rated undergraduate elementary teaching programs in 2016 and undergraduate secondary teaching programs in 2017 by national percentile based on their overall scores on the NCTQ’s standards for teacher education. Schools that do not provide data on all key standards or that fall below the top 50% of schools nationally are not included by the NCTQ in their ratings. Visit the NCTQ website for more information on its standards and methodologies.
**Net price is per year for undergraduate tuition as calculated by the National Center for Education Statistics 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).
Profiles of Well-Known Schools
University of Alabama: Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University of Alabama College of Education is home to one of the country’s premier teacher preparation programs currently ranked in the top 3% in the United States. The College of Education houses the departments of Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership and Technology Studies, Educational Studies in Psychology, Research and Counseling, Special Education, and Music Education that confer dozens of degrees at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. Some of the majors offered within the College of Education include Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Reading Education, Counselor Education, Educational Administration, and Nursing Education. The College was founded in 1844, just 13 years after the University of Alabama was established in 1831. Today, The University of Alabama 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.Auburn University: The Auburn University College of Education is located on the university’s main campus in Auburn, AL. The College of Education is currently ranked in the top 25% of education programs according to US News & World Report. Students are able to choose from over 50 majors at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. Some of the most popular majors include Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Nursing Education Educational Administration and Counseling Education. The AU College of Education currently serves the university’s largest number of graduate students and the fifth-largest population of undergraduates. With over 30,000 alumni, the Auburn University College of Education has one of the largest alumni networks in the country. The mission of the College of Education has and continues to be the development of competent, professional, passionate and reflective educators capable of flourishing in today’s global learning community.
Featured Programs and Schools
Request free information from the following schools to learn more about your options for choosing a teacher degree program. We recommend you: Request information from one or more of these schools.
Schools with Teaching Degree Programs in Alabama
Alabama A&M University
4900 Meridian St
Normal, AL 35762
(256) 372-5000
www.aamu.edu
Alabama State University
915 S Jackson St
Montgomery, AL 36101-0271
(334) 229-4400
www.alasu.edu
Athens State University
300 N Beaty St
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 233-8100
www.athens.edu
Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
(334) 844-4000
www.auburn.edu

Birmingham Southern College
900 Arkadelphia Rd
Birmingham, AL 35254
(205) 226-4600
www.bsc.edu
Faulkner University
5345 Atlanta Hwy
Montgomery, AL 36109-3378
(334) 272-5820
www.faulkner.edu
Huntingdon College
1500 East Fairview Ave
Montgomery, AL 36106-2148
(334) 833-4222
www.huntingdon.edu
Jacksonville State University
700 Pelham Rd N
Jacksonville, AL 36265
(256) 782-5781
www.jsu.edu
Judson College
302 Bibb St
Marion, AL 36756
(334) 683-5100
www.judson.edu
Miles College
5500 Myron Massey Blvd
Fairfield, AL 35064
(205) 929-1000
miles.edu
Oakwood University
7000 Adventist Blvd NW
Huntsville, AL 35896
(256) 726-7000
www.oakwood.edu
Samford University
800 Lakeshore Dr
Birmingham, AL 35229-2240
(205) 726-2011
www.samford.edu
Talladega College
627 W Battle St
Talladega, AL 35160
(256) 761-6100
www.talladega.edu
Troy University
University Ave
Troy, AL 36082-0001
(334) 670-3100
www.troy.edu

Tuskegee University
Kresge Center
Tuskegee, AL 36088-1920
(334) 727-8011
www.tuskegee.edu
University of Alabama
739 University Blvd
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0166
(205) 348-6010
gobama.ua.edu
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Administration Bldg Suite 1070
Birmingham, AL 35294-0110
(205) 934-4011
www.uab.edu




University of Mobile
5735 College Parkway Dr
Mobile, AL 36613-2842
(251) 675-5990
umobile.edu
University of Montevallo
75 College Dr
Montevallo, AL 35115
(205) 665-6000
www.montevallo.edu
University of North Alabama
One Harrison Plz
Florence, AL 35632-0001
(256) 765-4100
www.una.edu

University of South Alabama
307 N University Blvd
Mobile, AL 36688-0002
(251) 460-6101
www.southalabama.edu
University of West Alabama
Livingston, AL 35470
(888) 636-8800
www.uwa.edu
An asterisk (*) denotes a two-year or certificate program in education. While a two-year degree will not qualify graduates for teacher certification, it can be a good starting point for a teaching career. To learn more about what you can do with this degree, see our guide to associate’s degrees in education.
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best College Values: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-public-colleges/
3. 2017 US News Best Graduate Education Schools: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings
4. 2017 US News Best Online Graduate Education Schools: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/education/rankings
5. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): http://caepnet.org/provider-search
6. National Council on Teacher Quality 2014-2016 Teacher Preparation Program Review: https://www.nctq.org/review/home
7. US Department of Education 2016 Title II Reports: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx