1. 1. Rationale of Class A Programs for Teaching Fields. Class A educator preparation programs shall help the teacher develop higher levels of competence than is possible in the Class B program. An EPP may develop a Class A program for any Class B content area. See Rules 290-3-3-.08 through 290-3-3-.29). Candidates must demonstrate a deeper knowledge of the subject area at the master’s level. Implementation of the standards will be in the Alabama Continuous Improvement guidance.

2. 2. Institutional and Program Requirements.

   1. a. Class A programs are limited to institutions that meet accreditation standards at the master’s degree or higher level by accredited institutions.
   2. b. Institutions must have and enforce policies that prevent candidates from using courses for both undergraduate and graduate level credit.
   3. c. Completion of a Class A program for a teaching field requires at least 30 semester hours of graduate credit appropriate to the teaching field and not used for prior-level certification in any teaching field or area of instructional support.

3. 3. Unconditional Admission to Class A Programs for Teaching Fields. Each institution shall establish and enforce a policy that specifies when the candidate must meet criteria for unconditional admission to the program. Admission to the graduate school is not equivalent to unconditional admission to an approved program. Requirements for unconditional admission shall include:

   1. a. A criminal history background check. See Rule 290-3-3-.03 (College and University Requirements).
   2. b. A valid bachelor’s-level professional educator certificate is required. If an EPP admits an individual into an initial program in early childhood, elementary, or collaborative education K-6 program, literacy and numeracy requirements must be met prior to program completion.
   3. c. It shall be the responsibility of the educator preparation provider to ensure that Class B and Class A competencies are met at the completion of a Class A program for which the individual does not hold a valid Class B Professional Educator Certificate.
   4. d. If an individual is unconditionally admitted to a Class A program based on a valid bachelor’s-level professional educator certification from another state, completes a Class A program and subsequently applies for Alabama certification at the Class A level, then the individual must hold a valid Alabama Class B certificate before applying for Class A certification.

   5. e. Program Options. At the Class A level, the teacher may complete either of two types of programs, each of which requires at least 30 semester hours of graduate credit not used for prior level certification or degree in any teaching field or area of instructional support. In addition, both traditional and Alternative Class A programs require extensive clinical experiences.

      1. i. Traditional educator preparation program.

         1. a. At least one-third of the program shall consist of teaching field courses.
         2. b. English Language Arts, general science, and general social studies programs shall require at least one course in two areas within the broader field.
      2. ii. Alternative Class A program. See Rule 290-3-3-.31 (Alternative Class A Programs for Teaching Fields).
4. 4. Institutions with Class A Educator Preparation Programs that have accreditation visits scheduled Fall 2025 and thereafter must meet the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) standards for advanced programs.

5. 5. Requirements for Traditional Class A Certification for Teachers. Readiness to serve on the Class A level as a teacher shall include:

   1. a. At least a valid Class B Professional Educator Certificate.
   2. b. An official transcript from an accredited institution documenting an earned master’s degree. The institution must have been approved at the time off degree conferral.

6. 6. A Survey of Special Education course is required if not previously completed. The course may not be older than 10 years unless the candidate has teaching experience within the last 5 years, or he/she used the course for prior level certification.

   1. a. Satisfactory completion of an educator preparation program approved by the Alabama State Board of Education with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on all courses in the program.
   2. b. If the Class A program is initial certification in a content area or grade band different from the Class B initial certificate, a practicum is required at the grade band and in the content area for which the candidate does not have a certificate.
   3. c. If the Class A program is an initial program in Early Childhood, Elementary, or Collaborative (K-6) education, the EPP must submit documentation that the completer met the requirements of the literacy and numeracy acts.
   4. d. A valid Class B Professional Educator Certificate.
7. 7. Testing for Class A Certification for Teachers. Applicants for initial Class A certification in a teaching field must meet the requirements of the Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP) as a precondition for certification.
8. 8. Interim Employment Certificate. An Interim Employment Certificate (IEC) allows a superintendent or administrator to employ an applicant who is completing requirements for initial Class A certification in some teaching fields through a State-approved Class A program at an Alabama institution. Additional information, including requirements and restrictions is provided in the current Educator Certification Chapter (290-3-2) of the Alabama Administrative Code.

9. 9.  Faculty. The faculty must include at least one full-time person who meets faculty qualifications in Rule 290-3-3-.03 (College and University Requirements) unless specified otherwise in other Rules.

   The faculty who teaches professional education courses or supervise field experiences, practica, or internships in the teaching field shall have recent experiences in the subject matter and at the grade level of the certification.

Author: Dr. Eric G. Mackey

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§16-3-16, 16-23-14, and 16-39-5.

Editor’s Note: Previous Rule .17 was renumbered .30 per certification published August 31, 2021; effective October 15, 2021.

History: New Rule: Filed December 13, 1990; effective February 1, 1991. Repealed and Replaced: Filed January 9, 1997; effective February 13, 1997; operative July 1, 1997. Repealed and New Rule: Filed September 11, 2003; effective October 16, 2003. Repealed and New Rule: Filed July 13, 2004; effective August 17, 2004. Repealed and New Rule: April 14, 2005; effective May 19, 2005. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 6, 2007; effective September 10, 2007. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 3, 2009; effective September 7, 2009; operative October 1, 2009. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 13, 2015; effective September 17, 2015. Amended: Filed September 13, 2018; effective October 28, 2018; operative June 1, 2019. Repealed and New Rule: Published August 31, 2021; effective October 15, 2021. Repealed and New Rule: Published March 31, 2025; effective May 15, 2025.