APPLICATION AND ADMISSION
 

What do I need to do in order to be admitted to the UAB Graduate School?

Students should apply as a degree-seeking student. They need a score of 388 (35 raw score) on the Miller Analogy Test (MAT) or 850 on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), 2 official copies of their undergraduate transcripts, 3 letters of recommendation, and a completed application form with $35.  For more information, go to Taking the MAT or GRE. If students wish to start taking classes before completing this admission process, they can apply for non-degree status. This application is available at the Graduate School website.

What program do I apply to? School: Education Degree: Master of Arts in Education Program: Arts Education Teaching Field: English as a Second Language

Can I start taking courses before being admitted to the degree program?

Yes. You can start taking courses as soon as you are granted non-degree student status.

Once I submit the non-degree application form, how long do I have to wait in order to start taking classes?

It usually takes only two working days for you to be granted non-degree status and thus be eligible to take classes.

How long does it take to get admitted to the degree-seeking program?

Once you have completed the application process, it usually take two to three months to receive a letter from the Graduate School.

How do I know that I have been admitted to the right program, that of ESL?

You will receive a letter from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the School of Education admitting you to the master’s degree program. This letter states your major (Arts Education) and your teaching field (English as a Second Language). If this information is incorrect, you should immediately speak with a member of the ESL teaching staff and complete the form “Request for Change in Graduate Major in Education."

What is the lowest possible GPA for admission to UAB Graduate School?

The GPA on the transcript from the degree-issuing undergraduate institution cannot be lower than 2.5 under any circumstances. This regulation is set by the Alabama State Department of Education.

How do I complete the degree-seeking application form if ESL is not one of the options available for a Masters of Arts in Education (MAE)?

The MAE/ESL is in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction. The major is listed as Arts Education, and the teaching field is ESL. Be sure to mention ESL in the narrative part of the application.

Can I complete an MAE/ESL even though I am not a certified teacher?

Yes, but you would not have teacher certification. In order to become a certified teacher, you would have to complete the Alternative Masters Program (AMP). See AMP Planning Guide and AMP Advising Form.

What do I need to do if I plan to teach ESL to adults and/or overseas?

In order to teach adult ELLs or to teach ESL overseas, you need an MAE/ESL but not the K-12 certification. This program includes a 300-hour practicum teaching adult ELLs. See NET Planning Guide and NET Advising Form.

ADMISSION TESTS:
 

What score do I need to be admitted to the MAE/ESL?

Miller Analogy Test (MAT): 35+  (388+ scaled score)
          OR
Graduate Record Exam (GRE): 850+

I have already taken the MAT (or GRE). Can I use this score for admission to UAB?

Yes, if you took the test within 5 years prior to submitting your completed degree-seeking application and if you obtained an acceptable score.

How can I best prepare myself for the MAT or GRE exams that are required for admission to the Graduate School?

The best preparation is to purchase study materials and establish a study routine.

CERTIFICATION
 

What does Alabama’s State Department of Education require for teaching ESL?

MAE in ESL (33-36 credit hours) if you have Class B Certification.
Alternative Masters Program in ESL (formerly “5th year program”) (44-50 credit hours) if you do not already have teacher certification.
Go to Degrees & Certification and see the Planning Guides and Advising forms.

How long does it take to qualify for ESL certification?

The Master's takes from two to three years, depending on how many courses the student takes each semester. At this rate, most students finish within two or three years. Almost everyone studies part-time, taking one course in fall and spring and two courses in the summer.

INTERNSHIP, PRACTICUM and FIELD EXPERIENCE
 

What is required for the Internship?

This depends on your program. Go to the following:
Internship: Traditional MAE
Practicum: Non-Certification MAE
Field Experiences: AMP-Alternative Masters Program

Student Teaching: AMP-Alternative Masters Program

If I am a fulltime content area teacher, how can I accumulate the 300 hours of internship for certification ?

The internship hours at the other grade level can be done during an ESL summer program. More details will be provided by your ESL advisor.

MASTER'S DEGREE
 

Is the MAE/ESL intended just for ESL teachers?

No, the MAE/ESL is intended for content-area teachers as well as for ESL teachers at both the elementary and secondary levels.

If I am a content area teacher, how would an MAE/ESL help me?

The MAE/ESL will help you work more effectively with the many English language learners that you will have in your classrooms now and in the future. Such knowledge and skills will also prove helpful in working with all students who need accommodations and differentiated instruction.

 

Once you obtain your MAE/ESL you will be eligible for a higher salary bracket, even if you remain as a content-area teacher.

I have already completed some graduate coursework in education. Can I use any of these courses for my MAE/ESL at UAB?

Any graduate course in education can count as an elective in your MAE program,

• if it was taken less than 5 years prior to completing the MAE;
• if it was not taken to satisfy a previous certificate or degree; and
• if it has been approved by your ESL advisor.

Can I transfer a course from another institution?

If you are pursuing K-12 certification, all program courses must be taken at UAB. Electives can be taken at another institution.

What elective should I take to complete the 33 credit hours for my MAE/ESL?

         Many K-12 teachers or prospective teachers have selected EESL 627 "Teaching Adult        
         Language Learners" as their elective. This course helps them be better prepared to work     
         with the parents of their ELLs and the greater community.
         See MAE Planning Guide.

Does UAB offer an Ed.S. in ESL?

         If your undergraduate degree is in elementary or secondary education and your MAE is in  
         ESL, then you can pursue an Ed.S. in the same teaching field as your Class B certification.
         UAB offers the Ed.S. degree in the following areas: Early Childhood, Elementary Education,
         English Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Math, Art, and Music.
            

AVAILABLE SUPPORT
 

Is any financial assistance available to help me pursue an MAE with ESL certification?
Go to Financial Aid.

• Full-time students (i.e., 6 semester hours of graduate courses) might be eligible for financial aid if they have been admitted to a graduate degree program. See the financial assistance section of the Graduate School website.
• Teachers in the Shelby County School System are eligible to apply for tuition fellowships through Shelby STARS. Teachers in the Homewood City School System are eligible to apply for tuition fellowships through Project HEART. See Grants.

Is there anyone I can talk with about my goal of becoming an ESL teacher?

Yes, you should make an appointment by contacting Dr. Susan Spezzini, ESL Program Coordinator, at 205-934-8357 or by email spezzini@uab.edu .

Does UAB offer any ESL graduate courses that are designed to accommodate the needs of graduate students who live far away from Birmingham?

Yes, this is accomplished as follows.

• Three courses (EESL 610, EESL 630, EESL 640) are taught in a learning communities format. For more information, see Innovative Programs.
• Four courses (EESL 613, EESL 620, EESL 615, and EESL 690) are taught in intensive summer modules (M-F, 8:30 am -4:30 pm during the last two weeks of June). While taking their summer courses, distance students usually stay in a motel near UAB.
• Another course (EESL 625) is taught on six Saturdays ( 8:00am-5:00 pm). For this course, distance students usually spend Friday night in a motel.
• EEC 674 and EPR 688 are delivered online.
• The elective can be taken as blended, on-line, or transferred from another institution.

ESL CLASSES FOR ADULTS
 

Are there any ESL classes available for adult ELLs to improve their English?

Yes. Go to UAB’s English Language and Culture Institute (ELCI).

OTHER INFORMATION
 

What are the options for parking close to the School of Education?

Part-time students usually do not purchase parking decals, especially if their courses are all in the evening. Metered spaces can be found along 13th Street and 14th Street, between University Boulevard and 10th Avenue. These are checked until 5:00 pm. Unmetered spaces are found further south.

I don’t know any languages other than English. Can I still become an effective ESL teacher?

Yes. Although it does help to be bilingual, monolinguals can become very effective ESL teachers. Most ESL teachers in the United States do not speak another language.

I am confused by the many acronyms. What do they stand for?

See Acronyms under Teacher Resources.

Are there any laws governing the provision of accommodations for English language learners?

Yes. See Laws and Court Cases under Teacher Resources.