Alternative Class A Program

The University of West Alabama offers the Alternative Class A Program for those individuals who have completed a non-teaching degree or for individuals who want to change teaching areas. Candidates must have a baccalaureate or higher degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75 in order to be admitted. This program will enable you to receive a master's degree in education, as well as master's level certification. Once you have applied and we determine you meet the requirements for unconditional admission, you will be assigned an advisor.

Your Field Experiences and Internship have to be completed in an Alabama-approved school. 

Even though the majority of the courses in the Alternative A Program can be taken on-line, your Field Experiences and Internship are considered on-campus courses and you will be expected to attend any seminars and class meetings on UWA's campus.

You'll have to see the requirements for unconditional admission to the Alternative A Program and to the Teacher Education Program before we issue you a program work-sheet and before enrolling in any course work. A GPA less than a 3.00 may result in removal of the unconditional admission status to the Teacher Education Program.

The admission requirements to the Alternative A Program include:

• A bachelor's degree with a 2.75 GPA (for those students who do not hold a bachelor's degree with a 2.75 GPA, review information here)

• Fingerprint clearance on file with ALSDE

• Passing Basic Skills Assessment Test scores on file with UWA

• Passing Praxis II score in the area of certification being pursued on file with UWA.  ***Visit the Alabama Educator Certification Testing Program page for Praxis information***

• Completion of at least one undergraduate course in each of the four subject areas of Mathematics, Science, Social Science and English Language Arts. These courses are verified upon review of all official transcripts once your application is complete with the Office of Admissions. 

Students seeking professional certification may choose one of the programs listed below for a Master of Education degree. 

• Early Childhood Education P-3

• Early Childhood / Elementary Education P-6 

• Elementary Education K-6

• Special Education Collaborative Teacher K-6 

• Special Education Collaborative Teacher 6-12  

Students seeking professional certification may choose one of the programs listed below for a Master of Education degree OR a Master of Arts in Teaching degree. 

• Biology 

• General Science 

• Mathematics 

• English Language Arts 

• History 

• General Social Science

• Physical Education P-12  

Email questions concerning the Alternative A Program to alternativea@uwa.edu.