A strong educational foundation, built early, is crucial for students’ future success. UAB’s Early Childhood and Elementary Education programs teach educators to recognize and meet the evolving needs of P-6 students in their earliest exposure to education. A curriculum of fully online courses, flexible summer classes, and learning communities and practicums lead to a Master's Degree in Education in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education with Alabama Class A teaching certification. A curriculum of blended, fully online, and traditional courses; flexible summer classes; and learning communities and internships lead to a Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education.

To address the evolving needs in teacher education in the state of Alabama, we have paused admissions to our Early Childhood and Elementary Alternative Master’s in Education programs at this time so that we may revise our current offering to meet these evolving needs. We plan to resume accepting applications in August 2025 for our revised Alternative Master’s Program for the Fall 2026 cohort.