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.

Quick Facts

• There are 30 colleges and universities with teacher degree programs in Alabama.¹
• 1 college offers an associate’s degree in education.*¹
• 29 colleges and universities offer a bachelor’s degree in education.*¹
• 20 colleges and universities offer a master’s or advanced degree in education.*¹
• 4 schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best College Values 2019.²
• 1 school ranked in Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Education Majors 2020.³
• 7 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2019.⁴
• 9 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online Graduate Education Programs 2019.⁵
• 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 College Values 2019*

• Samford University (#166)
• University of Alabama (#208)
• Birmingham-Southern College (#224)
• Auburn University (#227)

*Institution-wide ranking.

Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Education Majors 2020

• Auburn University

US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2019

• University of Alabama-Birmingham (#85)
• Auburn University (#88 tie)
• University of Alabama (#88 tie)
• Alabama A&M University (#195-258)
• Alabama State University (#195-258)
• Samford University (#195-258)

US News & World Report’s Best Online Graduate Education Programs 2019

• Auburn University (#22 tie)
• University of Alabama-Birmingham (#84 tie)
• University of Alabama in Huntsville (#89 tie)
• Samford University (#126 tie)
• Auburn University (#137 tie)
• University of West Alabama (#210 tie)
• Troy University (#214 tie)
• Alabama State University (#222)
• University of Mobile (#228-#299)

Featured Programs and Schools

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. Read more about the CAEP, NCATE, and TEAC accrediting bodies. 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 2017-2018 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 “-“.

*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.

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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-best-college-values-college-finder/index.php#Tile
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 385 Colleges, 2020 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2019.
4. US News & World Report Best Graduate Education Schools 2019: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings
5. US News & World Report Best Online Graduate Education Schools 2019: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/education/rankings
6. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): http://caepnet.org/provider-search
7. National Council on Teacher Quality Teacher Preparation Program Review: https://www.nctq.org/review/home
8. US Department of Education 2018 Title II Reports: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx