Teacher Certification

Alabama teaching certificates are the legal responsibility of the Alabama State Department of Education. Colleges and universities cannot issue professional certificates. In order to be recommended for a professional teacher's certificate, candidates must complete a state approved program. It is the candidate's responsibility to initiate the application for the initial certificate. If you would like additional information, please contact Ms. Chantaye Robinson-Jones, the certification advisor, at (256) 824-6220, and/or to schedule an appointment with her, go to https://uahteachercertification.youcanbook.me.

Initial Certification for Undergraduate Candidates

Approved undergraduate programs offered by the UAH College of Education are designed to prepare candidates for professional Class B certification with a bachelor's degree.

To be recommended for an initial (Class B) certificate, undergraduate candidates must meet the following requirements:

1. Satisfactory completion of all UAH and department requirements.
2. Satisfactory completion of all teaching field and education courses, including the internship with a "C" or better. Students must also have a C or higher in CM 113, PY 101, and PY 201.
3. Grade point average in overall coursework (2.75); teaching field (2.75); in "Professional Studies" (2.75).
4. Elementary and Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education must have a 2.75 GPA for the 12 hours in each of the four areas of English, Mathematics, Social Sciences, and Science.
5. Satisfactory intern evaluations by cooperating teachers and university supervisors.
6. Satisfactory edTPA Portfolio Review.
7. Individuals who hold a valid Alabama substitute teacher's license must submit to the certification officer a copy of the substitute license along with all certification application paperwork.
8. Candidates who expect to teach in states other than Alabama are responsible for knowledge of licensure requirements of those states. Such candidates should inform the certification officer of their intentions.

Initial Certification for Alternative Master's (M.A.T.) Candidates

Approved Alternative Master's programs offered by the UAH College of Education are designed to prepare candidates for an initial professional Class A certification with a master's degree.

To be recommended for an initial (Class A) certificate, alternative (M.A.T.) master's candidates must meet the following requirements:

1. Satisfactory completion of all UAH and department requirements
2. Satisfactory completion of all teaching field and education courses, including the internship with a "C" or better.
3. Grade point average of 3.25 or higher in overall coursework, teaching field, and in Education.
4. Satisfactory intern evaluations by cooperating teachers and university supervisor.
5. Satisfactory edTPA Portfolio Review
6. Individuals who hold a valid Alabama substitute teacher's license must submit to the certification officer a copy of the substitute license along with all certification application paperwork.
7. Candidates who expect to teach in states other than Alabama are responsible for knowledge of the licensure requirements of those states. Such candidates should inform the certification officer of their intentions.

Advanced Master's Certification (M.Ed.)

Approved Advanced Master's programs offered by the UAH College of Education are designed to prepare candidates for an advanced professional Class A certification with a master's degree.

To be recommended for the advanced (Class A) certificate, master's candidates must meet the following requirements:

1. Satisfactory completion of all UAH and department requirements
2. Satisfactory completion of all teaching field and education courses
3. Grade point average of 3.25 or higher in overall coursework and 2.75 or higher in the teaching field and professional studies (education) coursework.
4. Satisfactory action research project
5. Candidates who expect to teach in states other than Alabama are responsible for knowledge of the licensure requirements of those states. Such candidates should inform the certification officer of their intentions

Certificate Renewal

1. The initial Class B and Class A certificates are valid for five years. This certification may be renewed upon verification of successful teaching for three years and completion of an approved professional development program or earning upper division or graduate level credit in the certification area.
2. Individuals who allow their certificates to lapse for more than 6 months will be required to renew their certificates, obtain another background clearance, and meet requirements of the Alabama Professional Teacher Testing (APTT) program for issuance of a renewed certificate or license. The UAH College of Education in accordance with the Alabama State Board of Education provides courses for persons who wish to renew their certificates.
3. A candidate cannot be recommended for certification based on completion of a program for which State approval expired more than seven years prior to the date of program completion.

Provisional Certificate in a Teaching Field (PCTF)

1. If a school district wants to hire an individual who has a bachelor's degree in a related field (such as a BS in Mathematics for a Secondary Math Teaching position), the school district can apply for a Provisional Certificate in a Teaching Field (PCTF) certificate.
2. In order to hold the PCTF certificate, the individual must have the following:
   1. Must hold at least a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
   2. Meet the GPA requirements applicable to the PCTF approach (2.5 overall GPA);
   3. Document enrollment in at least one course provided by a college or university
   4. You will be issued three, one-year certificates at the request of your SCHOOL DISTRICT.
   1. EDC 301
   2. ED 410 or ED 315
   3. ED 309
   4. Content-specific methods course
   1. EDC 301: Teaching the Exceptional Child (offered fall, spring, and summer)
   2. EDC 321: Collaborative Consultation (fall only)
   3. EDC 331: Critical Issues in Special Education (spring only)
   4. EDC 341: Assessment, Planning, and Transition (summer only)
   5. EDC 351: Behavioral Analysis and Intervention (spring only)
   • At least one year of full-time special education teaching experience in Grades 6-12 while holding a PTCF;
   • Credit for completing five (5) specific special education courses;
   • Passing the Praxis test for special education.

   For more information or if you have questions about the PCTF, please contact Dr. Derrick Smith.