AUM announces new graduate pathway for international educators serving Alabama schools
Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) is expanding opportunities for international educators working in Alabama public schools to pursue advanced degrees in high-need subject areas, supporting both teacher development and Alabama’s growing education workforce.
Through a new partnership with the Alabama International Education & Economic Partnership (ALIEEP), a Montgomery nonprofit organization that supports international educators serving in Alabama schools, AUM will create new pathways for these educators to enroll in the university’s Master’s and Alternative Master’s programs in education.
“We are proud to collaborate with ALIEEP to support international educators who are contributing to classrooms across Alabama,” said AUM Chancellor Carl A. Stockton. “By connecting graduate education with educator preparation and certification pathways, this partnership strengthens both our schools and the communities they serve.”
International educators already serving in Alabama schools will play an important role in addressing teacher shortages in high-need areas such as science, mathematics and special education. Through this initiative, these educators will have the opportunity to pursue graduate study that aligns with Alabama’s educator certification requirements while building advanced instructional knowledge and leadership capacity.
“The most attractive part of this partnership is that these international educators will not only earn a master’s degree, but also have the opportunity to demonstrate their teaching and classroom management skills in high-need subject areas while adapting to Alabama’s school environments well before completing their degree,” said Meesoon Han, executive director of ALIEEP.
The partnership reflects AUM’s ongoing commitment to supporting Alabama’s education workforce and expanding access to high-quality graduate education for teachers serving in classrooms across the state.
Jim Purcell, executive director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE), an ALIEEP partner, said, “We fully support the partnership between AUM and ALIEEP. International educators bring valuable global perspectives to Alabama classrooms while helping address teacher workforce needs across the state. Their contributions strengthen our schools, enrich student learning and support Alabama’s education workforce and economic development.”
Participants in the initiative must meet AUM’s graduate admission standards for its Master’s or Alternative Master’s programs in education, including holding a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and meeting the university’s academic and English proficiency requirements.
