Admission
Deadlines  |   Non-degree-Seeking  |   Degree-Seeking  |   Immunizations

Deadlines

Although prospective students may seek admission to the MAE/ESL at any time of the year, each term has its own deadline for submitting a degree-seeking application. These admission deadlines are July 1st for fall, November 1st for spring, and April 1st for summer. If a deadline has passed but you still wish to start taking classes, you should first submit a non-degree seeking application (steps a-h) and then later submit a degree-seeking application. However, if you are able to meet the admission deadline, you should skip the non-degree process and immediately submit a degree-seeking application (steps 1-13).

Non-Degree-Seeking Application

(a) Learn about the MAE/ESL degree at UAB. Read all parts of this website and then attend one of the information sessions for prospective MAE/ESL students. These sessions usually take place on Mondays and Thursdays at 5:00 pm in EB 120. Be sure to first confirm your participation by sending an email to Dr. Susan Spezzini, Program Coordinator for ESL Teacher Education: spezzini@uab.edu.

(b) Click here  to apply. NOTE: You must first create an account on this ApplyYourself website.

(c) Submit a non-degree seeking application, and pay $30 online with a credit card. (Only available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.) NOTE: Mailing a check will severely delay your admission.

(d) About two days after you have submitted your non-degree application, you will be contacted by the Graduate School indicating your admission as a non-degree graduate student.

(e) Follow the instructions from the Graduate School for processing your student ID and your Blazer email. Once you have completed this process, you will be eligible for taking up to 12 credit hours of coursework that can be used towards your MAE/ESL degree.

(f) Enroll in courses for your first semester of MAE/ESL coursework. All prospective MAE/ESL students must take EESL 610. Prospective alternative students must also take EDU 500.

(g) If you have any questions or concerns, please ask your future advisor, Dr. Susan Spezzini (spezzini@uab.edu). As the Program Coordinator for ESL Teacher Education, Dr. Spezzini will be able to find answers for your questions. If you do not receive a response from Dr. Spezzini within two or three days, please follow up with another email. Please also note that going from office to office searching for answers is not a productive approach to the admission process.

(h)  Prepare for submitting a degree-seeking application. Immediately make plans to take an admission exam—either the MAT or the GRE. You should also immediately request transcripts and letters of recommendation. NOTE: You must complete the degree-seeking admission process by the end of your first semester of coursework.

 

Degree-Seeking Application       (1) Learn about the MAE/ESL degree at UAB. After reading through this website, attend one of the information sessions for prospective MAE/ESL students. These sessions usually take place on Mondays and Thursdays at 5:00 pm in EB 120. Be sure to first confirm your participation by sending an email to Dr. Susan Spezzini, Program Coordinator for ESL Teacher Education: spezzini@uab.edu.       (2) Obtain an acceptable score on one of the admission exams—either the MAT or the GRE.   Miller Analogies Test (MAT): minimum of 388 scaled (35 raw)   Graduate Record Exam (GRE): minimum of 850       (3) Click here  to apply.   NOTE: You must first create an account on this ApplyYourself website.       (4) Make plans to submit all required application materials by the admission deadline:   July 1st for Fall admission     November 1st for Spring admission   April 1st for Summer admission (5) Submit a Degree-Seeking Application to the Graduate School for admission to the following:   School of Education (SOE) Degree: Master of Arts in Education (MAE)   Program:  Arts Education (AE) Teaching Field: ESL (Alternative MAE: Fifth Year)       (6) Pay $35 ($60 for international students*) online with a credit card. NOTE: Mailing a check will severely delay your admission. *Click here to learn more about International Scholar and Student Services (ISSS).       (7) Request that the following be sent to the UAB Graduate School:   2 official sets of transcripts from all colleges attended (even for just one course); and   3 letters of recommendation.   NOTE: Non U.S. citizens should check about other documents that are required.       (8) If you have any questions or concerns, please ask your future advisor, Dr. Susan Spezzini (spezzini@uab.edu). As the Program Coordinator for ESL Teacher Education, Dr. Spezzini will be able to find answers for your questions. If you do not receive a response from Dr. Spezzini within two or three days, please follow up with another email. Please also note that going from office to office searching for answers is not a productive approach to the admission process.       (9) Periodically check the status of your application by clicking here:  Check Admission Status You may also inquire about your status by contacting the Graduate School (205-934-8357 gradschool@uab.edu). Once you receive confirmation that all of your application materials have been received, it will take approximately 4 to 6 weeks for your application to be processed. If you are experiencing difficulties in confirming the receipt of your application materials, you should contact Dr. Susan Spezzini, Program Coordinator for ESL Teacher Education: spezzini@uab.edu.       (10) Alternative MAE only. If you are applying to the alternative MAE (fifth year program), the last step in the admission process is an interview and a writing sample. You will be called by the School of Education to schedule an admission interview with Dr. Susan Spezzini.       (11) You will receive a letter from the Graduate School indicating your admission to the MAE/ESL (traditional and non-certification) or to the alternative MAE/ESL. You will also receive a letter from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) at the School of Education (SOE). This letter will list your major, teaching field, and advisor. Please be sure that your letter has the following information:   Major: Arts Education (AE)   Teaching Field: English as a Second Language (ESL)   Advisor: Dr. Susan Spezzini       (12) Follow the instructions for processing your student ID and your Blazer email. Once you have completed this process, you will be able to enroll in your courses. During your first semester, you should take EESL 610. Alternative MAE students must also take EDU 500.       (13) Alternative MAE only. Once you have been admitted by the Graduate School to the Alternative MAE (fifth year program), you must also do the following in order to become accepted into the School of Education's Teacher Education Program (Note: Most alternative students do these requirements during their first semester of coursework, i.e., while taking EESL 610 and EDU 500):   Alabama Prospective Teacher Testing Program (APTTP)  (All 3 parts of the test);   Security Clearance (finger prints) with the Alabama State Department of Education;   Proof of negative TB; and   Any pending prerequisites.       Proof of Immunization       In order to register for the second semester of classes at UAB, you must provide proof of MMR immunization (MMR = Measles, Mumps, Rubella). You must submit one of the following: a copy of your childhood immunization records, the results of a Titus, or proof of having had the MMR shots. You can obtain the MMR shot (or booster shot) at your county health department. Since you may have to wait several weeks for an appointment, give yourself ample time to meet this requirement.       Immunization Policy       NOTE: If you were born before 1958, you are exempt from the MMR requirement. However, in order to prove your date of birth, you MUST submit a copy of your driver's license to the Graduate School. If you wish, you can fax a copy of it.  If you have any questions, please email: gradschool@uab.edu