Alternative A Graduate Teaching Programs| Samford University

Is This Program for Me?

The Alternative A Master’s Program is designed for those who have earned a bachelor's degree in a field other than education from a regionally accredited institution who desire to become a certified teacher.

Program Objectives

In as little as five semesters, graduates will earn a master's degree and be positioned to receive Class A teaching certification with the knowledge, skills and professional dispositions required of today’s teachers.

Full-time Program

This is a full-time program that may require students to attend classes on campus and at clinical settings during traditional work hours. Some class meetings will be online and some will take place in the evenings on campus.

Employment Rate

For the past three years, 100% of our graduates have gained employment within three months after completing all requirements for graduation and certification.

Alternative A Degree Options

Elementary Education (MSE)

The alternative A elementary education (MSE) degree provides students who already have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education the opportunity to become a certified elementary school teacher.

Upon completion of this five-semester program, candidates are eligible for the Master of Science in Education degree in Elementary Education (K-6) and Class A certification (provided current certification requirements of the Alabama State Department of Education have been met).

Certification areas include kindergarten through sixth grade with the ability to teach sixth grade at any middle school.

This program is nationally recognized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Association of Childhood Education International.

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K-12 Collaborative Special Education (MSE)

The alternative A K-12 collaborative special education (MSE) degree will prepare students who already have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education to effectively teach and impact the learning of students with disabilities in the K-12 classroom.

Through this degree, you will gain skills that empower you to improve the quality of life of your students, take leadership positions within the field and conduct groundbreaking research.

Upon successful completion of the program, candidates will earn a master's degree and will be eligible for Class A certification (provided current certification requirements of the Alabama State Department of Education have been met) in just five semesters.

Graduates of the alternative A K-12 collaborative special education (MSE) program will master the following concepts:

Accommodations and modifications for all student needs
Assessment procedures and processes in special education
Effective instructional strategies for working with low and high incidence disabilities
Research-based methods of instruction in the K-12 special education classroom
Managing challenging behavior using the functional behavioral assessment
How to write individualized education plans

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Secondary Education (MSE)

The alternative A secondary education (MSE) degree is designed for those who have earned a bachelor's degree in a field other than education from a regionally accredited institution who now desires to earn a Class A teaching certificate to teach in a specific content area at the secondary level of education (grades 6–12).

The alternative A secondary education (MSE) program is focused on mentoring students. The program pushes its students to grow by coupling high academic expectations with authentic experiences in classrooms. This occurs under the leadership of experienced instructors who know teaching and their content areas. In addition, the smaller class sizes make it possible for professors to know and encourage students personally. When trials arise, whether professional or personal, professors encourage and challenge their students to achieve while always respecting them as a person.

This program offers degrees in the following areas for grades 6–12:

Biology
English/Language Arts
General Science
Math
General Social Studies
Spanish
Physical Education P–12

Graduates of this program will master the following concepts:

Concept-based curriculum design and writing (e.g. unit and lesson planning)
Classroom management
Pedagogical content knowledge
Differentiation of instruction
Action Research (investigation of interventions designed to positively impact student content learning)
Learning theories
This program is nationally recognized by the Specialized Professional Association (SPA) from the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE); for English, history, social studies and physical education.

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Alternative A Admission Requirements

Candidates Must

Possess a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution having graduated with a minimum GPA of 2.5
Complete an application for admission (Be sure to list your personal e-mail address on the application.)
Pay a non-refundable $35 application fee (The fee is payable by credit card and is waived for Samford alumni, students and employees.)
Provide official transcripts from all institutions attended
Transcripts are considered official only when they bear the issuing institution’s seal and arrive with the seal intact. Transcripts can be sent electronically to mjparson@samford.edu or by mail to:
Attn: Marcie Harchuck
School of Education
Samford University
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229
Achieve a passing score on Praxis Multiple Subjects test 5901
5903 Math subtest: 157
5905 Science: 158
5904 Social Studies: 154
Applicants may register for the bundle test (5901), or take tests individually (5903-5905).
A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher* or achieve a passing score on all areas of the Praxis Core test 5751
5733 Math: 150
5713 Reading: 156
5723 Writing: 162
Applicants may register for the bundle test (5751), or take tests individually (5713-5733).
*All other Praxis test requirements remain intact based on the current Teacher Education progression timeline.
Provide a background clearance letter
Provide a dispositions form completed by current supervisor
Interview with faculty

Additional Application Information

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