School of Graduate Studies
Dr. B. J. Kimbrough, Dean
The School of Graduate Studies at UWA offers programs leading to the degrees of Master of Education, Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching (Certification and Non Alabama Teacher Certification), Master of Athletic Training, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science, Master of Science in Adult Continuing Education, Education Specialist, Doctor of Business Administration and Doctor of Education.
Mission Statement
The University of West Alabama is a state-supported, coeducational institution of higher learning governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Governor. As a regional institution, the University's foremost commitment is to meeting the educational needs of the State and particularly of the West Alabama area. Valuing a diverse student enrollment, though, it also welcomes students from throughout the United States and from other countries.
The primary purpose of the University is to enrich lives through education, service and outreach. The University accomplishes its mission by providing opportunities for students to pursue a quality education through associate, baccalaureate, master's, and education specialist degrees in liberal arts, natural sciences and mathematics, pre-professional programs, nursing, technology, business, and education. Importance is placed on providing opportunities within the curricula for the development of enhanced skills in critical thinking, communication, leadership, and computer literacy. The University also seeks to provide students opportunities for growth beyond the classroom through a wide range of extracurricular activities, programs, and services and through the maintenance of an environment of cultural and intellectual diversity. Through the total educational experience that it provides and through its encouragement of the free exchange of ideas among faculty, administration, and students, the University attempts to assist its students in developing the important qualities of independent thinking and respect for the ideas of others and in building firm foundations of personal integrity and character in order to realize their quests for a philosophy of life and for self-fulfillment.
At the University of West Alabama, the emphasis is upon the traditional learner, but the institution is also committed to furthering the concept of lifelong learning and to serving the non-traditional student. It considers among its clientele are high schools, businesses and industries, governmental agencies, and professional workers. In serving these diverse publics, the institution employs not only traditional means of delivery, but it also seeks to expand its use of innovative technologies, including distance learning, and to networking with other educational institutions and agencies in order to more comprehensively address the needs of its region.
In fulfilling its mission, the University seeks to employ a vibrant, talented, and diverse faculty. In the recruitment and retention of this faculty, as with all members of the University community, the institution, consistent with its academic heritage, maintains an openness to all qualified persons.
Excellence in teaching and advising is paramount to the faculty, but the members are also committed to providing leadership and fostering positive growth throughout West Alabama through research and public service, with primary emphasis on that which meets the educational, social, cultural, and economic needs of the region.
Accreditation
The University of West Alabama is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, education specialists, and doctorate degrees. Questions about the accreditation of The University of West Alabama may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website (www.sacscoc.org).
The College of Business Master of Business Administration program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, US World Headquarters, 11520 West 119th Street, Overland Park, KS 66213. This organization is a global business education accrediting body and the first organization to offer accreditation to all levels of collegiate business education degree programs from associate to doctorate.
The College of Education at the University of West Alabama is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), 1140 19th St NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 223-0077. This accreditation covers initial teacher preparation programs and advanced educator preparation programs. The unit will notify candidates individually and in writing if the institution loses regional accreditation at one or more levels. The College of Education at the University of West Alabama's counseling and clinical mental health programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), 500 Montgomery Street, Suite 250, Alexandria, VA 22314. The unit will notify candidates individually and in writing if the institution loses accreditation at one or more levels. The College of Education at the University of West Alabama's elementary and early childhood programs at the initial and Class A levels are accredited by The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), 1401 H Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005.
The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Master of Athletic Training Program is accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 2001 K Street NW, 3rd Floor North, Washington, DC 20006; telephone (512) 733-9700.
The Purpose of the School of Graduate Studies
The purpose of the School of Graduate Studies is to provide post-baccalaureate study for persons preparing for careers in business, professional education and education and for those whose career plans require graduate-level work in other areas.
Specifically, the School of Graduate Studies offers programs in athletic training, business, integrated marketing and communications, learning design and technology, early childhood development, elementary education, pre-school through grade twelve education, special education, school counseling, general studies, library media, counseling/psychology, teacher leader, student affairs in higher education, guidance and counseling, family counseling, instructional leadership, sport management, and rural education. Academic areas of study in the various disciplines are biology, English, English language arts, finance, history, mathematics, physical education, experimental psychology, science, and social science. These programs are provided to further develop the professional competencies attained in undergraduate programs. In accomplishing this purpose, students are encouraged to solve professional problems by independent investigation through study and research.
Administration of the Program
The policies of the School of Graduate Studies are set by the Graduate Council of the University, which is appointed by the President. The Dean of the School of Graduate Studies serves as chairperson and executive officer of the Graduate Council. The Graduate Dean's responsibilities include initiation and recommendation of policies and procedures, and the overall administration of graduate programs as directed by the Graduate Council. The Graduate Council recommends the membership of the graduate faculty to the Provost, who submits the names to the President, who makes the appointments. The Graduate Dean approves the various curricula; admits students to the School; and approves programs for degrees.
Admission to the School of Graduate Studies
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 2.75 grade-point average (four-point scale) or graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree or higher with a minimum of 3.00 grade-point average (four-point scale) is required for unconditional admission to the School of Graduate Studies. A student who has an undergraduate grade-point average below 2.75 or a graduate grade-point average below 3.00 may be admitted conditionally and may be allowed to take twelve (12) hours of graduate work. If a grade-point average of 3.00 or higher is achieved in the first twelve (12) hours, regular admission to the graduate program may be granted and these credit hours may apply toward a degree.
Students who have attended other colleges and universities may apply for admission to the School of Graduate Studies, submitting transcripts from all colleges previously attended. Graduate transfer applicants must have satisfactory citizenship records at the last institution attended and must be eligible to return to the last institution which they attended on a full-time basis.
Specific programs may require official entrance exam scores on the GRE or GMAT. Applicants should consult the program requirements in this catalogue for more specific information.
In accordance with the Alabama State Department of Education Code:
"... any candidate applying for admission to a State-approved teacher education program shall be required to be fingerprinted for a criminal history background check through the Alabama State Department of Education to the Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) pursuant to Act 2002-457. The candidate shall be fingerprinted by a service provider approved by the Alabama State Department of Education. Additional information about approved providers, fees, and procedures is available from the Teacher Education and Certification Office." Rule 290-3-3-.02(5)(a-b).
All students pursuing a master's or education specialist degree program leading to certification should follow the provided link to Cogent, the approved Alabama State Department of Education service provider for criminal background checks: www.cogentid.com/al/index_ade.htm. Out-of-state students must also meet this requirement. Students who are not residents of Alabama may obtain fingerprint cards by calling the Alabama State Department of Education Teacher Certification Office at (334) 353-8567.
A clear background check is essential for all students (on campus and online) to be admitted to a teacher education program leading to certification. Students in the MSACE Guidance and Counseling and the MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree programs are subject to this requirement as well. Students may not be allowed to begin graduate work prior to submission of a background clearance.
Students pursuing a master's or education specialist degree programs leading to certification, except those in the Alternative Class A program, must submit a copy of a valid renewable teaching certificate in order to complete the admission process.
For the safety of our campus community, all students who take courses on campus are required to have certain up-to-date immunizations before enrolling in any courses on campus. As such, all new students must verify their immunization and medical histories through the Med+Pass system. Students must have a valid UWA email address before registering on Med+Pass.
Admission to the School of Graduate Studies is not equivalent to unconditional admission to an approved program. Candidates admitted to the institution or graduate school to enroll in courses in a Class A or Class AA teaching field program may complete no more than five (5) approved program courses prior to unconditional admission to the program.
Additional requirements for admission to programs in the School of Graduate Studies may be required. Please see individual program information for specific details.
A qualified senior in a Non Alabama Teacher Certificate program at UWA, lacking six to nine hours or less for graduation, may be enrolled for up to nine hours of graduate studies with the approval of the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.
Non-Degree Admission
This is a category for students who do not intend to seek an advanced degree from The University of West Alabama. Individuals seeking to enroll as non-degree or undecided graduate students must meet the minimum requirements for admission to the School of Graduate Studies. Non-degree or Undecided graduate students are limited to 12 credit hours of eligible 500 or 600 level coursework and are prohibited from registering for any internship and/or practicum courses may only enroll in an internship and/or practicum course with permission of the academic dean. Financial aid is not applicable for any coursework taken as a non-degree-seeking student. A non-degree student who subsequently seeks full admission must satisfy requirements for admission to the specific program.
A non-degree student who subsequently seeks full admission must satisfy requirements for admission to the specific program.
International Students
Applications are welcomed from international students who wish to attend UWA. In addition to meeting the regular admission requirements, foreign applicants whose native language is not English must submit satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). International students who have graduated from English-speaking undergraduate schools are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement. The TOEFL code for UWA is 1737.
Official transcripts may be required to be evaluated by an outside evaluation service. If outside evaluations are required, the evaluation must come directly from UWA-Approved international transcript evaluation services, including, but not limited to, National Association of Credit Evaluation Services members (NACES) and an endorsed company from the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). For a listing of NACES member organizations and their contact information, visit https://www.naces.org/members. For a list of AICE-endorsed member organizations and their contact information, visit https://aice-eval.org/. This evaluation is to be forwarded directly to ip@uwa.edu for undergraduate and graduate applications. The cost of this evaluation will be the responsibility of the student.
All international students are required to purchase University-approved health and accident insurance for themselves and their dependents, if any, immediately upon their acceptance into the University. https://www.uwa.edu/admissions/international-students/ (Scroll to Medical Insurance)
Advisory System
When a student has been approved for admission to the graduate program, he/she is assigned an advisor by the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. All graduate students should schedule regular conferences with their advisors. Advisors provide general guidance as students plan their work toward graduation. Each student, however, has full responsibility for determining his/her own status in regard to the acceptability of his/her schedule and progress toward meeting graduation requirements.
Graduate students are expected to familiarize themselves with the regulations and academic requirements stated in this catalogue. Graduate students who, because of extraordinary circumstances, wish to request exceptions to any of the regulations may do so in writing to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistantships are available to qualified students in certain fields of study. Assistantships are usually granted for a period of nine months. Normally, there are no stipends for the summer semester. Students desiring to make application for graduate stipends should write to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, the University of West Alabama, Station 31, Livingston, Alabama 35470, for application forms.
Cooperative Education Program
The University of West Alabama offers a program in Cooperative Education to allow opportunities for students to gain work experience in their chosen field of study. The program enables the student to combine classroom instruction with practical experience in business, industry, government, or service organizations. This program is available to qualified students in select majors. To qualify, a student must be in good standing with the University and have a 3.0 or above grade point average. The student must also attend an Employability Seminar offered by appointment in the Career Services Office.
Students may choose one of two options when available. The first option, the Alternating Option, allows a student to alternate semesters of full-time work and full-time study. The second option, the Parallel Option, allows a student to work part-time (15 to 20 hours a week) while enrolled as a full-time student.
In addition to the above qualifications, a student must register for the appropriate non-credit Cooperative Education course (CEP) each work term and pay the materials fee. Students must comply with the policies and procedures of the employer and the Cooperative Education Program. Interested students may apply in the Career Services Office in Foust Hall.
Special Administrative Policies
General Rules for Behavior
All University students are required to abide by State laws governing the use of State-owned buildings, among which are prohibitions against gambling, use or possession of firearms except under direct supervision of an authorized University instructor, use or possession of alcoholic beverages, and use or possession of fireworks in any University building or on the University campus.
Every University of West Alabama student, in addition to complying with regulations fixed by the Board of Trustees for entrance into the University, will be expected to conform to such rules as may be established for the well-being of the University community, including, but not limited to, the general rules of behavior set forth in the Student Handbook. Failure to abide by University rules and regulations may result in dismissal.
Campus Security Policy
UWA fully supports the intent of the Campus Security Act and has taken steps to adhere to its guidelines. In accordance with the Act, the University maintains records on crimes reported, arrests made on intoxication and alcohol related matters. The University also supports pro-active campus policies and programs on alcohol abuse. Results of student disciplinary proceedings are reported to alleged victims. In addition, information to whom to report a crime, who will respond to the student's report, campus safety policies and preventive security measures is widely distributed.
Parking
All members of the UWA student body, faculty and staff who operate vehicles on the campus are required to register any vehicle driven on campus with the University Police Department. This regulation includes graduate students attending on-campus classes one night per week. Vehicles can be registered with University Safety and Security located in the Craiger House.
Policy on Accommodation for Disabilities
One of the functions of the Office of Student Advocacy is to assist students who have a documented disability and meet the definition of a person with a disability, as defined in The Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act. Students enrolled at the university who seek accommodations must identify to the Office of Student Advocacy by contacting the ADA Compliance Officer, request accommodations by completing the request for services and accommodations forms, and provide appropriate, current documentation of their disability.
A review of the documentation will determine the types of accommodations that are reasonable and appropriate for the student. The Office of Student Advocacy will provide notification letters for students on campus to retrieve and deliver to their professors. Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Advocacy prior to the start of the semester to ensure that notification letters will be prepared and ready for the student on the first day of class. Students should present the letter to the instructor and request a private meeting to discuss how accommodations will be provided. (The letter distribution process is modified slightly for online students.)
Students are to inform the ADA Compliance Officer if accommodations are not provided, or if they encounter other disability-related problems in the class. For additional information, students should contact the Office of Student Advocacy, Foust, (205) 652-3581.
The Student Right to Know Act
UWA recognizes and supports the intent of the Student Right to Know Act. UWA understands, accepts and supports the intent of this act and conforms to its requirements. This information will be available from appropriate University sources. This act was designed to protect student athletes and other students by insuring that they realize what the potential for their graduating from college is. UWA maintains records on the completion rate of all athletes in comparison with the general student population. These records make comparisons by race, gender, and sport. These records will be available upon request and will be distributed as widely as possible to all prospective and enrolling students.
Policy on Non-Discrimination
The University of West Alabama is committed to providing an educational and employment environment free of harassment and other forms of discrimination on the basis of: race, religion, hearing status, personal appearance, color, sex, pregnancy, political affiliation, creed, ethnicity, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability (including perceived disability), age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law, including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any grievance process on campus, with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or other human rights agencies.
The University has designated a Title IX Coordinator who oversees implementation of the University's Policies and Procedures on Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination. The University's Title IX Coordinator is Byron Thetford, Foust Hall (Station 61), Livingston, AL 35470, bthetford@uwa.edu, 205-652-3435.
Any person may report harassment, discrimination, sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, in person, by mail, telephone, or email, using the contact information listed above for the Title IX Coordinator. Such a report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours) by using the telephone number, email address, or by mail to the office address, listed above for the Title IX Coordinator. For the University's Policies and Procedures Regarding Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination, please visit www.uwa.edu/titleix.
Title IX and Sexual Harassment
The University of West Alabama has and will continue an active program of education for its students regarding the dangers of sexual assault. For information on Title IX and Sexual Harassment, please see the University's Policies and Procedures on Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination found at www.uwa.edu/titleix.
Graduate Identification Cards
Graduate Identification cards are available at the Tiger Card Office (Webb Hall 125). The UWA Graduate Identification Card is required to check out books and materials from the Julia Tutwiler Library and the Media Center, as well as admission to all University activities. The card is also required in all UWA Computer Labs for any printing or photocopying in any UWA facility.
The UWA Graduate Identification Card may also be used as a student activity card. Graduate students have the option of paying a $145.00 activity fee which entitles them to admittance to SGA/CAB sponsored events, and use of the Wellness Center/Student Union. Graduate students also have the option of paying a $25 annual fee (and a $25 per semester fee) to the alumni association for use of the Wellness Center only.
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