Education Master’s program at Samford University

Alt A programs and their associated teaching certificate areas offered at Samford are as follows:.

Elementary Education (grades 1-6)Special Education (grades K-6, Grades 6-12 or the option of grades K-12)Secondary Education (grades 6-12) in each of the following content areas: Math, English, Gen Social Science, Gen Science, Biology Spanish, Physical Education and Music (grades K-12).

The Alt A program is designed to be completed in five semesters and this includes the clinical internship semester.

The first step in the process is to complete the online application. Students will need to complete an interview, earn a passing score on required admission tests, complete a background check, complete a FAFSA (if seeking financial aid) and submit an official transcript for review.

A previous background check can be used if it is in the Alabama State Education (ALSDE) database as long as it is current. The candidate is responsible for ensuring the background check is current and on file with the ALSDE.

The Alt A programs begin in June during the first Summer term and end the fall semester of the following year.

Generally, students take two courses each semester but this can vary by program.

Education courses must be taken in sequence and courses are taught in a predetermined rotation. If a student gets off track, they must wait until the required course is offered again the next year.

Yes, two summer terms are included in each program.

Once admitted to an Alt A program, a 3.25 GPA must be maintained each semester to remain in the program.

Because of the possibility of a student needing to participate in the course virtually at some point during the semester, all students should have the following technology available to them:.

The most recent version of the Chrome or Firefox Web browser the Safari browser can be particularly problematic when accessing online courses.

Classes vary in size but range from five to 25 depending on the course and program.

Students may be required to take one or standardized tests, the Praxis, prior to program admission.

Those Praxis tests required for program admission should be taken early in the admissions process.

Praxis scores must be sent to Samford University using the university specific code 1721. Those results must also be sent to the Alabama State Education whose specific code is 7020.

The delivery method of the courses is hybrid.

A hybrid delivery method is a combination of face to face (in person) and online (remote) instruction. No courses in the Alternative A programs are offered fully online.

Yes, the Alabama State Education mandates that all candidates seeking an initial teaching certification complete a semester-long, full day clinical internship in an accredited school in a grade level within the grade band or content area in which the student is seeking certification.

Yes, students may complete a clinical internship in their own classroom if the school is accredited and the teaching assignment is within the scope of the certification the candidate is seeking.

Yes, students may be employed in a non-teaching job during clinical internship, however, the candidate must be available to complete the requirements of clinical internship including being able to be in a classroom for the full school day five days a week for approximately 15 weeks. Flexibility of the position will ultimately determine whether the student can remain employed.

Yes, all students seeking certification are required to complete field placements prior to internship. Field placements range from 15-60 hours and are embedded in courses requiring clinical components.

Yes, students may complete an Alt A program while teaching full time.

Students will need to seek approval to complete content grade level specific field placement activities from their school administrator where they are currently teaching. Please note, candidates must complete clinical internship in an accredited school and in the grade level content area of certification.

Unconditionally admitted students may accept a teaching position while they are enrolled in an Alt A program.

The Educator Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) is an assessment submitted to an outside entity, Educational Testing Services (ETS), to be scored. The edTPA project is completed and submitted by students to ETS during the clinical internship semester. The edTPA Coordinator at Samford will provide support for students as they progress through each Alt A program so that they will be prepared to submit the project during clinical internship. A passing score on the edTPA project is a certification requirement and mandated by the ALSDE in order to apply for a professional teaching certificate.

Clinical internship is one semester August through December of the final semester in all Alt A programs (approximately 15 weeks).

At present, tuition cost is $906.00 per credit hour with an $800.00 credit per course (Samford tuition rate is determined each fall and is subject to change). The tuition price does not include any required course fees.

For example: Cost for one three-hour course is $2718.00. When the tuition discount is applied, the final cost of a three credit hour course will be $ 1918.00.

Please note that some content area courses are four credit hours.

The tuition discount is applied for all students per course in the Alternative A programs. Students are encouraged to seek other available scholarship opportunities.

Applications received after the May 1 deadline will be scheduled to begin the program the following summer.

The tuition discount offered by Samford to all teacher education graduate students makes tuition cost competitive with other metro area universities.

We use cookies to improve our site, personalize content and serve relevant advertising on other platforms. View our privacy policy.AcceptPreferences.