This is a special alternative program for individuals with a baccalaureate degree in non-teacher education fields and individuals without Class "B" certification in an area of Education. In general the program requires a minimum of 42 graduate hours. See College of Education and Professional Studies general section for program admission requirements.

All prerequisites must be completed prior to admission to the program. 

Academic standards and student responsibility

Students should be aware that the Special Education Program requires that certain courses be taken in sequence. Advisors should be consulted to obtain information about sequencing and prerequisite course work.

A committee consisting of graduate faculty members within the program will be selected by program advisors to assist the student in planning their courses of study following the schedule of course offerings. Such programs of study should be approved before the completion of nine semester hours of work.

The Special Education Program requires that students who receive a grade of "C" in a Special Education course, must repeat that course and attain a grade of "B" or better.

Satisfactory performance in all course work (GPA of 3.0 or greater) is required of all graduate Special Education majors; in the event of unsatisfactory performance (below "C") in a course not in their major area, a student's Graduate Program Committee selects the option of repeating the course and demonstrating satisfactory performance or demonstrating satisfactory performance in an approved alternate course.  A minimum GPA of 3.25 is required for graduation.

Students must do their internship/practicum in the Mobile area or arrange to be supervised through another university out of our area. Contact Field Services for info regarding the out of area option. 

Students are assigned to advisors in their respective program areas. The student has the sole responsibility for initiating applications and meeting test and other deadline requirements.

Course Requirements	Credit Hours
Foundation Requirements	15
EDM 510
EPY 525
RED 531
SPE 500
K-6 Majors:  RED 520; Majors:  EPY 502
Teaching Field	21
SPE 589
SPE 512
SPE 514
SPE 515
SPE 516
SPE 592
K-6 Majors:  SPE 517; 6-12 Majors: SPE 591
Internship	6
K-6 Majors:  SPE 595; 6-12 Majors:  SPE 596 (Students must have a passing score on the appropriate Praxis II prior to enrollment in the internship). Current admission procedures require a passing score on the appropriate Praxis II prior to admission to the program.

Alabama State Department of Education Certification Requirements:

A Student applying for initial teacher certification will be required to pass the appropriate Praxis II test (s) and have a successful score on his/her edTPA portfolio. ALSDE certification requirements are subject to change and students will be required to meet those which are in place the semester they are applying for certification. Prior to registering for any Praxis II exam, please verify current requirements by going directly to the ALABAMA portion of the Praxis II website at http://www.ets.org/praxis/al.