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College of Education

The College of Education (COE) seeks to prepare teachers, instructional support personnel and other professionals to be decision makers who are equipped with the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary to ethically and effectively integrate theory and practice their professions. These professionals will possess the understanding of our diverse culture, the technological capabilities, the intellectual rigor and the critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to make informed and responsible decisions, to engage in reflective assessment, to implement positive change and to pursue learning as a lifetime endeavor. As an integral part of the University, the COE is committed to serving the communities in Alabama through its educational programs and related activities. As it works to carry out its mission, the COE ensures that initial and advanced programs for the preparation of teachers and other professional education personnel are aligned with the expectations of national, state, professional and institutional standards. A non-certifiable M.S. degree is offered for those persons desiring instruction in the area of general counseling.

Graduate students are bound to the academic requirements of the bulletin under which they enter the University, and Alabama State University confers the degree. The Alabama State Department of Education awards certificates; therefore, the student must satisfy the requirements of the state’s administrative code applicable teacher certification and licensure.

Degree Required Admission Test
M.Ed. (traditional program) GRE General or MAT
M.Ed. (alternative program) GRE General or MAT
M.S. GRE General or MAT
Ed.S. GRE General or MAT (if not previously taken)
AA Certificate Same as Ed.S.
Ed.D. GRE General or MAT
Ph.D. GRE General or MAT

In addition to being formally admitted to The Harold Loyd Murphy Graduate School, all applicants to traditional teacher education or instructional leadership programs (M.Ed., AA, Ed.S.) must provide the following information to the Graduate School Dean:

  1. A copy of the applicant’s valid teaching certificate (B for master’s, A for AA) with proper Endorsement.
  2. An evaluation of teaching effectiveness.
  3. Verification of experience (using SDE Form EXP).

NOTE: The State Department of Education requires that individuals enrolled in graduate education programs have a minimum number of years of teaching or successful professional experience:

  1. Reading Specialist: Two full years of successful classroom teaching experience prior to admission.
  2. Library Media Specialist: Two years of teaching experience prior to applying for certification
  3. School Counseling: Two years of teaching experience and a passing score on the Praxis II Professional School Counselor Test or passing the AECAP Basic Skills Test, Praxis II Professional School Counselor Test and the National Counseling Licensure examination prior to applying for certification.
  4. Instructional Leadership: a minimum of three full years of full-time, acceptable professional educational experience in a P-12 setting, which must include at least one full year of full-time P-12 teaching experience.