Students who complete this certification program should have a desire to teach in an elementary school (K-6) or early childhood (P-3) regular education classroom. Prior experience in the classroom is not required, although a lively interest in the institution of schooling and in state and national policies that shape school experiences is encouraged. Successful completion of the program leads to the Bachelor of Science in Education degree and to eligibility for Alabama Class B certification in Elementary (K-6) and Early Childhood (P-3).
The undergraduate catalog is published annually. Program advising sheets are updated more frequently and are thus likely to provide the most up-to-date information on degree and other requirements. Students should obtain the most recent advising sheets, available from their academic advisors and in 104 Carmichael Hall. Further information on recommended course sequences should also be obtained from 201 Autherine Lucy Hall.
This department requires the completion of at least 120 semester hours for graduation.
Teacher Education Program Admission Requirements for Elementary Education Majors
Meeting the minimum criteria for the teacher education program (TEP) does not guarantee admission to the professional semesters. See program for admission procedures.
The student must complete the TEP application form, available from personnel in 104 Carmichael Hall. The minimum requirements are listed at the beginning of the College of Education section.
NOTE: The faculty reserves the right to make exceptions to the listed criteria based on individual circumstances.
Additional requirements include:
- Each student must earn a grade of C- or higher in all University core courses.
- Each student must successfully complete MUE 107 Basic Skills In Music.
- Each student must have a C- or higher in every professional studies and teaching field course; a student must successfully petition the department to retake any education course in which he or she earned less than a C-.
- Each student must select an additional course from the general studies natural science requirements for a total of at least 12 semester hours; preferred are four semester hours in biological science and eight semester hours in physical/interdisciplinary science.
- Each student must select additional mathematics courses from the general studies list for a total of 12 semester hours of MATH-designated courses.
- Fingerprinting/background clearance
| Code and Title | Hours |
| MATH 100 | Intermediate Algebra (See footnote.) * | 3 |
| MATH 208 | Number And Operations | 3 |
| MATH 209 | Geometry & Measurement | 3 |
| MATH 210 | Data Anal Elem Teachers | 3 |
General Studies (60 Hours)
Professional Studies and Teaching Field
The University of Alabama GPA — and, if transfer work, the overall GPA — must be at least 2.50 in the professional studies and teaching field courses. A student may not enroll in more than five professional studies courses before he or she has received unconditional admission to the TEP.
Area V: EDU 200 Orient to Teacher Education is required.
All required English coursework must have been completed before Professional Semester 1.
Professional Semester 1
| Code and Title | Hours |
| BEF 362 | School, Culture, and Society 1 | 3 |
| BEP 305 | Educational Psychology 1 | 3 |
| CEE 320 | Survey of EC/ELE 2 | 3 |
| SPE 300 | Survey Spe Accomd Stratg 1 | 3 |
| CEE 491 | Early Childhood Curr. & Inst. 2 | 3 |
| CRD 369 | Fnd of Read Inst for EC/ELE 2 | 3 |
| MUE 385 | Teaching Music 2 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 21 |
NOTE: MUE 107 Basic Skills In Music is a prerequisite to MUE 385 Teaching Music.
NOTE: Students formally apply to the Teacher Education Program during CEE 320 Survey of EC/ELE and should meet requirements at this time. Applications are available from Student Services located at 104 Carmichael Hall. Check TEP requirements above for additional information.
All required General Studies areas must be completed prior to Professional Semester 2.
Professional Semester 2
| Code and Title | Hours |
| CEE 401 | Managing Effective Classrooms | 1.5 |
| CEE 365 | Lit for EC and ELE Ages | 3 |
| CEE 370 | Teaching Reading Elem School | 3 |
| CEE 380 | Tch Early/Elem Mathematics | 3 |
| CEE 492 | Engaging Children ECE | 3 |
| CEE 495 | Practicum | 3 |
| Total Hours | 16.5 |
Professional Semester 3
| Code and Title | Hours |
| BER 450 | Assess Of Classrm Learng | 3 |
| CEE 401 | Managing Effective Classrooms | 1.5 |
| CEE 304 | Tch Early/ELE Sch Science | 3 |
| CEE 366 | Tch Social Sci for Early/ELE | 3 |
| CEE 478 | Teaching Lang Arts in EC/ELE | 3 |
| CEE 496 | Senior Practicum | 3 |
| Total Hours | 16.5 |
Professional Semester 4
| Code and Title | Hours |
| CEE 497 | EC/ELE Internship 1 | 6 |
| CEE 497 | EC/ELE Internship 1 | 6 |
| EDU 400 | Internship Seminar | 1 |
| Total Hours | 13 |
Our graduates are certified to teach Elementary (kindergarten through 6th grade) and Early Childhood (preschool through 3rd grade) in Alabama.
Types of Jobs Accepted
Graduates accept jobs in public and private early childhood, elementary, and middle schools in Alabama and may apply for jobs in other states that have signed a compact for reciprocal certification.
Jobs of Experienced Alumni
Alumni often return for additional degrees or certifications. They can then work as special educators, reading specialists, curriculum specialists, counselors, administrators or educational psychologists.
Learn more about opportunities in this field at the Career Center
