FAQ

If you are comfortable on a computer, then an online course will be a good option for you. You’ll need some basic computer skills, such as the ability to work with a Word or Excel document, but deep technical expertise isn’t necessary. Your personal student success coach will be able to guide you through the online classroom environment and help with any questions or issues you have.

Successful online students are self-disciplined and approach assignments with the same focus they would in a classroom.

Here are the minimum specifications for your computer. Please note that tablets*, hybrid devices, mobile devices, Chromebooks, and external cameras on Mac computers are not supported.

1. Microsoft Office Suite (Latest Version)
2. Windows 8.1/10 (32/64 bit) | MacOS 10.12 to 11.11+
3. Windows: 2 GB RAM | Mac: 512 MB RAM
4. Hard drive: Windows: 75 MB of free hard disk space | Mac: 3 MB of free hard disk space
5. Screen resolution: Minimum 1024 x 768
6. Internet connection: High speed (DSL, Cable, or LAN) is required. Dialup, cellular high speed, and satellite internet service are not supported for use with Respondus. 200kbs minimum upload speed is required. Please check with your internet provider to help ensure you meet this requirement.
7. Webcam
8. Microphone

*Note: iPads (with iOS 11.0+) can be abled on a test by test basis by the instructor.

There is no special designation on your transcript or degree that specifies if courses were taken online or in person. Classwork at UWA has the same standard, regardless of how the class is delivered.

Undergraduate tuition is $325 per credit hour, graduate tuition is $429 per credit hour and doctorate tuition is $630 per credit hour. There is a $60 technology fee each semester. Click Here for a complete list of tuition and fees.

The pace is up to you. A full load for online classes is six hours per term (or two classes). UWA offers five online terms per year (each term is eight weeks). That means that if you take a full load each term, you can complete 30 credit hours in one year.

How do I get textbooks and course materials?  Visit the UWA Bookstore to order your required materials.

Find answers to commonly asked questions here.

Not necessarily. It ultimately depends on your learning style. Online classes at UWA are as rigorous as in-person classes. Online classes are conducted on an accelerated pace; if you work well independently, you may find that the flexibility is beneficial and you’ll adapt well to the pace.

Once you apply, must start within year or re-apply and pay new application fee. Once you take a class, you can sit out one calendar year without re-applying.

UWA offers six terms a year that are each eight weeks long in fall through spring. In the summer, terms are six weeks long.

Yes. Please visit our financial aid page for more information about financial aid. You may call the Financial Aid Center at 205-652-3576 or email financialaid@uwa.edu for additional assistance.

Undergraduate scholarships are available to qualifying students. UWA also offers scholarship opportunities through the Teacher Connect, Business Connect, Community College Connect and Military Connect programs. Please check with our Financial Aid Center for other financing options. Call the office at 205-652-3576 or email financialaid@uwa.edu.

This registration page will explain how to enroll in classes here at UWA.

The University of West Alabama offers two ways to apply for financial aid. The first is to go to www.fafsa.gov and complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

• Choose UWA with the code 001024

The second is to use our custom FAFSA site, which helps simplify the financial aid application process. Students who use this feature are usually able to complete their application in less than 7 minutes. Contact your Enrollment Counselor today to get access.

In addition to the support we offer from our enrollment counselors who make the application process as smooth as possible, we also provide access to an online digital tool to streamline the financial aid application process. Applying for FAFSA can be an overwhelming experience, which is why we provide a custom website to simplify an otherwise complex process. Students who use FRANK are usually able to complete their financial aid applications in less than 7 minutes.

FRANK is an online tool that will enable you to complete your financial aid application (FAFSA) more quickly and securely. Applying for FAFSA can be overwhelming for many students, which is why we offer access to FRANK to streamline the process while ensuring you get the most financial aid possible. You can finish your application in less than 7 minutes!

Up to nine semester hours of graduate credit from an accredited institution may be accepted by UWA toward a master’s degree, depending on requirements of the specific program.

Credit must have been earned within a nine-year period prior to completion of the graduate program.

Alternative Teaching Certification programs allow students without an education degree to receive teacher certification and a master’s degree.

The difference between a certification and a non-certification degree is that the certification programs will be recognized on a teacher’s certificate as an additional certification area. Non-certification programs will not be reflected on a teacher’s certificate. Only teachers certified at a lower (or the same) level can enter a certification program. Non-certification programs are open to teachers and non-teachers.

The pace of your program is up to you. Most students finish their graduate program in about 12 months. A full load for online classes is six hours per term (or two classes). UWA offers six online terms per year – Fall/Spring are 8 weeks and Summer is 6 weeks .That means that if you take a full load each term, you can complete 36 credit hours in one year.

The Master of Science in Adult Continuing Education programs at UWA are designed to improve the professional capabilities of individuals working in diverse fields of study in today’s society. They are also meant to advance and support counselors, teachers and all other relevant practitioners of adult education, counseling and training programs.

UWA’s online programs are designed for working teachers. Our students address the internships in a number of ways. Some of our students take a short leave of absence to allow the internship to be done full time. Other students connect with a local school that can offer internship opportunities outside their work hours. This often occurs during after-school programs and summer school programs. Some students are also successful in partnering with a school in a different district that has a different schedule so they can use their breaks for internship hours. Students also find that using personal leave or vacation time can be useful.

Yes. View our accreditation page.

WebAdvisor is available online to both current and perspective students.

The graduation fee for all programs is $75. You can find answers to many questions surrounding graduation here.

Students applying late for graduation are assessed an additional $100 to their graduation fee. In addition, these students often miss important correspondence from the commencement committee, and run the risk of not being able to participate in the ceremony because caps and gowns cannot be ordered, changes to the ceremony program cannot be made, and diplomas cannot be printed.