Curriculum and Teaching — Graduate Certificates, MEd, MS, EdS, PhD

Degree Programs

Graduate Certificates

The Department of Curriculum and Teaching offers graduate degree programs leading to the Master's of Education (certification option), Master’s of Science (non-certification option), Education Specialist, and Doctor of Philosophy. All graduate teacher certification programs are approved by the Alabama State Board of Education (ALSBE). Auburn University's College of Education is accredited through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Music education programs are also accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Master’s Degree Programs (MEd/MS)

Master’s of Education (MEd) degree programs include both alternative and traditional certification options. Alternative MEd certification programs offer qualified students who hold non-teaching baccalaureate degrees a route to initial teacher certification while simultaneously earning a master’s degree. Traditional MEd certification programs offer advanced study in pedagogy. MS non-certification programs provide interdisciplinary graduate-level education for community-based or international educators who do not wish to gain teacher certification/licensure in the United States.

Applicants to Master’s degree programs must satisfy the Graduate School’s admission requirements. Departmental admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and meet current ALSDE or Program GPA requirements at the time of unconditional admissions. The GPA must be documented on the official transcript of the degree granting institution and must be the GPA that was used as the basis for granting the degree, not a GPA that includes post-degree courses. Admission requirements also include academic good standing at the institution last attended, letters of recommendation, current resume, clear background check, and approval by the department.

In addition, applicants to alternative MEd certification programs must satisfy the ALSDE teaching field admission requirements. Applicants to a traditional MEd certification program must hold a valid bachelor’s-level professional educator certificate in the same teaching field as the MEd, except for English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) and reading education. Admission to the MEd ESOL program requires at least a valid bachelor's-level professional educator certificate in any teaching field. Admission to the MEd certification program in reading education includes (a) a valid bachelor's-level professional educator certificate in early childhood education, elementary education, or collaborative special education teacher Grades K-6 and two full years of full-time classroom teaching experience or (b) a valid bachelor's-level professional educator certificate in any area of education, two full years of full-time classroom teaching experience, and a passing score on the Praxis II Teaching Reading test validated for use in Alabama.

Degree requirements for MEd certification programs are in compliance with regulations established by the ALSBE. Alternative MEd certification programs range from 30-44 hours and typically take a minimum of four semesters to complete if enrolled full-time; additional undergraduate coursework may be required. Degree requirements include a semester long, full-time internship; satisfactory completion of the State's testing program including passing scores on the appropriate content assessments prior to internship; and a written comprehensive exam.

Traditional MEd certification programs and MS non-certification programs require a minimum of 30 semester hours and a comprehensive examination. Requirements for MEd certification programs in reading education and ESOL include a passing score on the appropriate content subject assessment.

In accordance with State regulations, effective for students unconditionally admitted to an MEd certification program prior to July 1, 2017, a minimum GPA of 3.00 is required on all courses used to meet master's-level certification program requirements. Effective for students unconditionally admitted to an MEd certification program July 1, 2017 and after, a minimum GPA of 3.25 will be required on all courses used to meet master's-level certification program requirements.

Specialist in Education Degree Programs (EdS)

Applicants to EdS programs must satisfy the Graduate School’s admission requirements. Departmental admission requirements include a master’s degree from an accredited college or university, academic good standing at the institution last attended, letters of recommendation, current resume, a valid master’s-level professional educator certificate in an appropriate area of teaching, clear background check, and approval by the department. Some programs may have additional requirements (e.g., GRE Score).

Degree requirements for specialist-level teacher certification programs are in compliance with regulations established by the ALSBE. Specialist programs include a minimum of 30 semester hours beyond the master’s degree. Additional requirements include satisfactory completion of a field project and a written comprehensive exam.

In accordance with State regulations, effective for students unconditionally admitted prior to July 1, 2017, a minimum GPA of 3.25 is required on all courses used to meet specialist-level certification program requirements. Effective for students unconditionally admitted July 1, 2017, and after, a minimum GPA of 3.50 will be required on all courses used to meet specialist-level certification program requirements.

Master’s and Specialist-Level Certification

Individuals completing State-approved MEd certification programs are eligible to apply for Alabama Class A certification; individuals completing State-approved specialist-level certification programs are eligible to apply for Alabama Class AA certification. Effective September 1, 2018, the Alabama State Board for Education will require an acceptable score on the edTPA for initial certification in a teaching field. This state certification requirement applies to individuals completing alternative master's programs. Individuals seeking certification in states other than Alabama are responsible for contacting those state certification offices to obtain their application form and requirements. The State of Alabama signs the National Association of State Directors of Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement which facilitates the applications of program graduates when they apply for certification in other states.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree Programs (PhD)

Applicants to PhD programs must satisfy the Graduate School’s admission requirements. Departmental admission requirements include a competitive GRE score, current resume, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and approval by the department.

All doctoral programs require a minimum of 80 semester hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. Research methods, statistics, and foundations of education courses are components of all doctoral programs. The remaining hours are divided between the area of specialization and approved support courses. Plans of study for students in secondary education fields must contain at least 30 semester hours of graduate courses in the appropriate teaching fields. After satisfactory completion of coursework and a general written and oral examination, the student advances to candidacy. Doctoral students must register for at least 10 semester hours of doctoral research while completing a dissertation. Doctoral students must enroll each semester during their program.

Graduate Certificates

The Department of Curriculum and Teaching offers graduate certificates in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)/Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), Community Music Education, and Reading Instruction. Departmental admission requirements for these graduate certification programs include a transcript showing the applicant's last degree completed, a current resume, and three letters of recommendation.

The Department in collaboration with the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology also offers a graduate certificate in Adult Education and English Language Teaching. Applicants should contact the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology for admission requirements for the Adult Education and English Language Teaching graduate certificate program.

Online Learning Graduate Programs and Courses

The Department of Curriculum and Teaching offers the majority of graduate programs through online learning as well as through residential study.

Additional Information

Detailed admission and program requirements for the department’s multiple areas of graduate study are available on the Department of Curriculum and Teaching's website, Graduate Application and Admission.

Information about undergraduate programs for the Department of Curriculum and Teaching is available at: Curriculum and Teaching: Undergraduate