College of Education

Education is essential, not just to the success of the individual, but to the success of our community, our state and our country. And the key to education is, without question, in the hands of our teachers. Teaching is more than a job — it’s a calling. And more than ever, we need smart, compassionate and motivated teachers. At the College of Education, that’s our mission, and our graduates have been doing with distinction the work that matters for generations.

“If you have to put someone on a pedestal, put teachers. They are societies’ heroes.”

— Guy Kawasaki

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Choose the Program That’s Right for You

Choose a degree that meets your needs and your schedule. Choose from a range of Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees — on campus or online — all of which are designed to give you the tools and skills you need to succeed in a variety of education-related fields.

There Is No Greater Calling

One thing is certain, after nearly 200 years educating teachers in this state—teaching is a calling. It requires smart, motivated, compassionate people who are willing to devote their lives to doing something that matters.

As a teacher, you have a chance to profoundly shape the lives of your students. And the impact you have on their lives may continue to affect them many years into the future.

If we’re lucky, each of us has a teacher or two who changed the way we see the world. It might be an elementary school teacher who instilled in you a love of learning. Or an English teacher in high school who introduced you to To Kill a Mockingbird and inspired you to want to be a writer.

The point is, a great teacher makes a life-changing difference in the lives of so many people. Those are the kinds of teachers that come from UWA. If that’s the kind of teacher you want to be—join us. We’ll help you combine your natural talent, your passion and enthusiasm with the skills and techniques you need to be effective in the classroom today.

Teaching is a challenging, inspiring career. And every day, you have the chance to use your knowledge, your skills and your compassion to affect your students in ways that profoundly shape their future. Explore our full range of majors and certifications.

Faculty Spotlight

Our Departments

Department Spotlight: Department of Teaching and Learning

The Department of Teaching and Learning at The University of West Alabama equips future educators with the skills and knowledge to thrive in diverse educational settings. Offering programs in early childhood, elementary, secondary, and special education, we blend research-based curriculum with practical experience. Our focus on innovation and professional growth ensures that graduates are prepared to inspire and lead in classrooms, making a lasting impact on students and the field of education.

Alumni and Student Experiences

"I chose UWA because of the hometown feel that it has. Your professors know you by name and will help you succeed. The financial support was also a factor. I came with dual enrollment hours with UWA’s College of Education, and had scholarships through them, on top of my admissions scholarships. There is truly something about this place, you just have to find what that something is for you. Ms. Kim Giles made a huge impact on me. I had her for Precalculus Algebra last year. She always answered any questions I had and always was willing to help me. She would take the time to go over every step, multiple times if needed, to ensure we understood the information. My favorite part of my major so far is just learning all the things about teaching. I love that in a couple of years, all the information and experience I have from UWA will end up with me in a classroom of my own. I will start student teaching next year and I can’t wait! Something I would tell someone who is interested in education is, you don’t do it for the money, you do it for the reward of the heart. Education is a work of heart. You must have a passion and a desire for teaching and learning. At UWA, you are set up to succeed and change the lives of every student you teach.”

Trace Crews, Gordo, AL, Elementary Education

About the College of Education

Educating Future Educators

The College of Education’s primary objectives are to use evidence-based practices to train well-rounded, competent teachers for diverse school systems in Alabama, to promote inclusive instructional programming in elementary and secondary schools within the University service area, and to provide services to other colleges within the University. Additionally, the College is committed to advancing educational practices and curriculum by continuously enhancing learning opportunities, including initiatives such as competency-based education, which supports personalized learning paths and measures progress through demonstrated skills and mastery of subject matter. This dedication ensures that the College remains at the forefront of innovative and effective teaching methodologies.

COE Programs and Initiatives

Educator Preparation and Certification Office

Information for those applying for education certification.

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Tevera

The College of Education has chosen Tevera as our student and program data management system.

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Continuing Education eLearning

View our listing of available online continuing education eLearning courses to build your resume and make yourself more marketable to potential employers.

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Accreditation

The University of West Alabama is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate’s, baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist and doctoral degrees.

Standards for effective teacher training programs are maintained by cooperating with the Alabama State Department of Education, the Alabama Education Study Commission, the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

The Interstate Certification Education at the University of West Alabama is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, 1140 19th St NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 223-0077. This accreditation is one of the culminating factors in the success of the Julia S. Tutwiler College of Education. We are proud to boast that our programs in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, Collaborative Special Education, Physical Education, Secondary Education, School Counseling, Library Media, Instructional Leadership and Teacher Leader are currently CAEP Approved.

The BS Elementary Education Major K-6 (includes certification in Early Childhood P-3) degree at The University of West Alabama is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The current accreditation term runs from March 2022 through August 2024.