Department Information

Dr. Cassie Raulston, Chair
Wills Hall
(205) 665-6355
craulston@montevallo.edu
www.montevallo.edu/teaching-leadership-technology-tlt/

Mission

The Mission of the College of Education and Human Development is to prepare highly skilled, knowledgeable, and continually developing undergraduate and graduate candidates who make informed decisions, use current evidence and research-based practices, and promote healthy and equitable communities through careers in counseling, family and consumer sciences, leadership, teaching, and technology.

Degrees Offered

The department offers four degrees options and three certificate options. 

Alternative Master of Education

The Alternative Master of Education program is designed for students who have an undergraduate degree but do not hold a teaching certificate. This option leads to a master’s degree plus Class A Professional Educator certification.

Professional Educators Master of Education

The Professional Educators Master of Education program is designed for students who hold Class B teaching certification. This option leads to a master’s degree and Class A Professional Educator certification. Students can complete a Professional Educators Master’s program in their teaching field, instructional leadership, or special education at the master’s level.

Non-Certified Master of Education

A master of education degree without an educator certification is offered in Applied Instruction. 

Certification Only

The certification-only programs allow candidates to meet state department requirements for Class B certification (PCTF or TSEC) or Class A certification (RHO-Instructional Leadership). The ALSDE mandates coursework in these programs to fulfill the specific requirements for teaching or leadership certification based on a non-degree pathway. Courses taken for these programs cannot be substituted or transferred, and additional criteria may be required beyond the prescribed coursework.

Instructional Leadership, Class A Certification Program (Reduced Hours Option) is designed for students who currently hold a Class A in a teaching field or another area of instructional support and who desire to add an additional Class A certification in Instructional Leadership. The Reduced Hour Option is 19-21 hours.

The Provisional Certificate in Teaching Field (PCTF) is designed for students who are currently teaching but do not hold a professional educator certificate. School systems can apply for a PCTF for employees to earn a Class B certificate. The student would take four classes and meet the additional criteria as defined by the state department to teach a specific subject in grades 6-12 or a specialized P-12 teaching field area, such as Art.

Temporary Special Education Certificate (TSEC) is designed for students who are currently teaching Special Education in grades 6-12 but do not hold a professional educator certificate. School systems can apply for a TSEC for non-certified employees to earn a Class B certificate. The student will complete five courses and meet additional criteria as defined by the ALSDE to teach a specific subject in grades 6-12.

Educational Specialist

The Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) option is designed for students who currently hold a master’s degree and/or Class A certification. All the specialist programs are recognized degrees by the Alabama State Department of Education for an increase in salary. The Instructional Leadership program leads to a Class AA advanced certification.    

Doctor of Education 

Educational Leadership Ed.D. program is designed for seasoned professionals, who hold a master’s degree in education or a related field, who are aiming to elevate their careers across sectors like K-12 and academia. It melds theory with practical inquiry, preparing graduates to tackle intricate problems, influence organizational culture, foster sustainable solutions, and enhance leadership for transformative change. The Ed.D. program does not result in state certification but does lead to a terminal degree in the field of education. 

Admissions Requirements

Additional admissions, retention, and completion requirements listed will be listed in each program’s section.

Teacher Education Program (TEP) Requirements

These requirements are for programs that lead to state teacher certification. 

I. Admission

Admission requirements for degree programs that lead to certification vary from program to program. See each program’s Bulletin listing for more information. The University’s certification officer verifies TEP admission criteria.

II. Retention

Advising is essential for successful completion of degree programs that lead to certification. Students are cautioned that variation from the advisor approved and planned program of study could result in failure to be recommended for certification. Regular consultation with an advisor is needed so that students can be apprised of program revisions that result from mandated changes in State certification requirements. Graduate study is limited to six years. Requests for extensions of this time limit must be approved by the Dean of the College and could necessitate completion of additional coursework or other requirements.

A minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 for master’s and 3.5 for Ed.S. (for programs leading to certification), as well as course grades of C or better must be maintained during graduate studies.

Successful completion of all field, clinical, and practicum experience requirements, program key assessments, and professional dispositions assessments is necessary for retention in the TEP. The Teacher Education Program Handbook, published annually by the Office of Teacher Education Services, describes more specifically the current TEP retention requirements.

III. Internship or Residency

Successful completion of a full semester, full-time internship is required for State certification in the Alternative Master’s degree program. The College, in cooperation with area school systems, has developed a comprehensive program of pre-internship field and clinical experiences in a variety of school settings. These experiences require extensive involvement in schools in-person and outside of regular class times. Transportation is the responsibility of the student.

Successful completion of embedded field-based assignments is a required component of the Professional Educators Master’s degree program. Both the School Counseling program and the Instructional Leadership program may include practicum, internship, and residency experiences.

IV. Certification

Upon completion of a graduate degree in an approved program, a minimum overall GPA of 3.25 for master’s and 3.5 for Ed.S. (leading to certification), and a passing score on the comprehensive exam, portfolio, or Educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) are required. As applicable to the program, passing scores on Praxis tests are required prior to certification. Eligible candidates may be recommended for Class Alt A, A, or AA certification in the State of Alabama. Candidates must complete an application for Alabama Certification. Instructions for completing the certification form are available through the Office of Teacher Education Services. The appropriate fees (money order or cashier’s check made payable to the Alabama State Department of Education or receipt of online payment) must be submitted with the application for certification. The application for certification, fee payment, and the candidate’s transcripts are forwarded to the State Department of Education. The University cannot recommend any candidate for certification that has not satisfied all Alabama and UM requirements for admission to and completion of an approved program. Students have five years after their program completion date to apply for certification.

Courses in Teaching, Leadership, & Technology

• Courses of Instruction  

Programs

• Applied Instruction, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, M.Ed.
• Applied Instruction, Educational Psychology and Research, M.Ed.
• Applied Instruction, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, M.Ed.
• Applied Instruction, Language and Literacy, M.Ed.
• Applied Instruction, STE²AM for Early Learners, M.Ed.
• Elementary Education, Alternative, M.Ed.
• Elementary Education, Professional Educators, M.Ed.
• Instructional Leadership, M.Ed.
• P-12 Education, Art, Alternative, M.Ed.
• P-12 Education, Art, Professional Educators, M.Ed.
• P-12 Education, Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Alternative, M.Ed.
• Secondary Education, Alternative, M.Ed.
• Secondary Education, Professional Educators, M.Ed.
• Special Education, Professional Educator, M.Ed.

• Curriculum and Teacher Development, Ed.S.
• Instructional Technology, Ed.S.

• Instructional Leadership, Ed.S.

• Instructional Leadership, Reduced Hour Option for Certification
• Provisional Certificate in Teaching Field
• Temporary Special Education Certificate

• Educational Leadership, Ed.D.