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THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA GRADUATE CATALOG |
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10.3 PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
Class A teacher education programs are designed to help teachers
more effectively serve the purposes defined for the same teaching
field at the Class B level, provided such programs exist. The intent
of the fifth-year program is to help the teacher develop higher
levels of competence than is possible in the Class B program.
Following a review by the Alabama State Board of Education, the
Class A Professional Certificate is granted to the student who (a)
has applied for and has been recommended for certification by the
College of Education, and (b) has completed a preplanned graduate
program, approved by the state board of education, that includes a
master's degree. It is important to remember that the awarding of a
master's or higher degree does not necessarily imply that the
student is eligible for Class A certification. Applicants for the
certificate must also present to the Alabama Department of Education
evidence of successful and appropriate teaching experience, as
follows: for certification as a library/media specialist, two years;
as a counselor or psychometrist, two years; as an educational
administrator, three years.
The
essential objective of the sixth-year program is to extend upward
the level of competence of the teacher. Following a review by the
Alabama State Board of Education, the Class AA Professional
Certificate is granted to students who (a) have applied for and are
recommended for certification by the College of Education, and (b)
have completed a preplanned graduate program, approved by the state
board of education. Students seeking Class AA professional
certification must enroll in and complete the EdS. (or doctoral)
degree program in the desired certification area in order to obtain
the University's recommendation for Class AA professional
certification. Courses used to qualify for a lower-level supporting
certificate may not be used again as part of a higher-level
certification program. Alternative Approaches to Certification
In
addition to "regular" certification programs, the Alabama State
Board of Education offers five alternative approaches to
certification. These are as follows: (a) alternative
baccalaureate-level approach (contact the
Alabama Department of Education);
(b) alternative fifth-year-level approach (see information in this
catalog); (c) speech- and language-impaired approach; (d) nationally
certified school psychologist approach; and (e) National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards approach. Further information
regarding these alternative approaches is available via the Office
of Student Services and Certification, 104 Carmichael Hall.
Admission requirements for fifth-year (Class A) programs for
teachers include "eligibility for Class B certification in the
teaching field(s) in which Class A certification is sought," except
in a few specified fields.
All
students (not just Alabama students) must meet all admission
requirements for the Class A Educational Administration Program
before enrolling in the program.
The
programs listed in this catalog that lead to Alabama Class A and
Class AA professional certificates for service in the public schools
may be altered to meet certification standards adopted by the
Alabama State Board of Education. Check with the appropriate
department head for information.
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THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA GRADUATE CATALOG |
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