Educator Preparation
Preparing the Next Generation of Educators
For nearly two centuries, the University of North Alabama has prepared educators to make a meaningful impact in classrooms, schools, and communities. As part of the Spencer College of Education and Human Sciences, UNA’s Educator Preparation programs combine rigorous academic coursework, hands-on clinical experiences, and personalized faculty support to help students become confident, effective educational professionals.
Whether you are pursuing your first teaching certificate or advancing your professional credentials, UNA provides pathways that prepare candidates to serve learners across elementary, secondary, and P-12 settings. Through strong partnerships with local schools and extensive field experiences, students gain practical skills that translate directly to today’s classrooms.
Your Pathway to Teacher Certification
The educator preparation journey includes admission to the University, declaration of a major, admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP), continued program retention, internship placement, graduation, and certification recommendation. Throughout each stage, candidates receive support and resources designed to promote academic success and professional growth.
UNA offers certification pathways at multiple levels, including undergraduate programs for initial certification and graduate programs for educators seeking advanced credentials and leadership opportunities.
Certification Resources
Initial Certification Programs
- Bachelor’s (Class B) Educator Preparation Programs
- Alternative Master’s (Class Alt A) Educator Preparation Programs
Download our Initial Certification Programs info packet by clicking below:
Advanced Certification Programs
- Traditional Master’s (Class A) Educator Preparation Programs
- Education Specialist (Class AA) Educator Preparation Programs:
- Elementary
- Instructional Leadership
- Teacher Leader
Download our Advanced Certification Programs info packet by clicking below:
Real-World Experience Starts Early
Effective teachers are developed through practice. That’s why clinical experiences and internships are central components of every educator preparation program at UNA. These experiences allow candidates to apply classroom theory, strengthen instructional skills, and build confidence in real educational environments.
By partnering with schools throughout the region, UNA ensures candidates have opportunities to engage with students, collaborate with mentor teachers, and experience the day-to-day realities of the teaching profession before entering the workforce.
Excellence Through Accreditation and Accountability
UNA’s educator preparation programs are approved by the Alabama State Board of Education and accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), a nationally recognized accrediting body for educator preparation programs. This distinction reflects the University’s commitment to maintaining high standards and preparing graduates who are ready to meet the needs of today’s learners.
Faculty continuously evaluate programs, coursework, and clinical experiences to ensure candidates receive relevant, evidence-based preparation aligned with current educational practices. Students graduate with the skills, knowledge, and professional competencies needed to serve effectively in schools across Alabama and beyond.
Educator Preparation Resources
Students enrolled in educator preparation programs may access guidance related to:
- Teacher Education Program (TEP) admission
- Internship requirements and placements
- Certification and licensure processes
- Program handbooks, forms, and policies
[ ^ NOTE FOR UNA: Consider putting this information on the Intranet website for current students instead of linking out to new pages on the UNA site ]
All candidates should be familiar with the following documents:
- Field Experience Guidelines
- Field Experience Log Template
- Fingerprint Clearance
- Liability Coverage
- MOU Agreements
Download these documents in our Teaching Candidate info packet by clicking below:
Faculty and staff are available throughout the process to help candidates navigate requirements and achieve their professional goals.
edTPA
edTPA requires aspiring teachers to demonstrate readiness to teach through lesson plans designed to support their students’ strengths and needs; engage real students in ambitious learning; analyze whether their students are learning, and adjust their instruction to become more effective. Teacher candidates submit unedited video recordings of themselves at work in a real classroom as part of a portfolio that is scored by highly trained educators.
edTPA is a state mandate for teacher certification, as determined by the Alabama State Department of Education. Here at UNA, we utilize Canvas as our platform for candidates to work on their edTPA portfolio while in the first half of their internship.
edTPA Resources