Alabama Graduate Programs & Schools
Popular Graduate Degree Programs in Alabama
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Living & Studying in Alabama
Whether you’re a lifelong resident, or you just know the words to “Sweet Home Alabama,” earning your graduate degree here could be the enriching experience you’re looking for. But what is it really like to live and work in Alabama? Like any other state, that’s a complicated question. After all, Alabama is a diverse tapestry, with a complex history and a multifaceted culture. That said, here are just three reasons you might want to consider coming here.The History
Alabama has played an integral role throughout the history of the United States. From the birth of the Confederacy in the Civil War (Montgomery was its first capital) to the Civil Rights Movement. After all, Martin Luther King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail was written here, and lead the Selma March. So if you want to walk in history’s footsteps while you earn your graduate degree, Alabama might be the place for you.The Culture
You’ve probably heard the phrase “southern hospitality.” Down here in Alabama, they don’t just know that phrase, they live it. Studying in Alabama, you could experience for yourself that welcoming, neighborly atmosphere. You might even get the chance to share a meal together with your new friends, getting a taste of southern cooking at its finest. As for the Arts, residents of Alabama have created—and continue to create—important and fascinating works. Harper Lee wrote To Kill a Mockingbird here. There’s also a thriving theatre scene—check out the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, for example—folk art, and tons of music in genres like blues, soul, gospel, rock, and country.The Fun
Passionate about football? You’ll feel right at home in Alabama, where college sports rule. Whether you count yourself as part of the Crimson Tide (that’s the teams and supporters of the University of Alabama) or support another team, you’ll be surrounded by college sports fans as passionate as you are. If you’re the adventurous type, you won’t run out of places to explore. You could climb mountains, kayak, or spelunk in beautiful caverns. Alabama has four national forests and multiple protected nature areas. Those include places like Russel Cave National Monument, and The Little River Canyon National Preserve. If you’re more interested in something historic, you could walk the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail or the Trail of Tears.Discover Top Alabama Cities for a Graduate Program
| # | Population | Median Household Income | Median Gross Rent | % of person having a bachelor’s degree or higher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birminghamiii | 212,237 | $31,445 | $728 | 22.5% |
| Montgomeryiv | 205,764 | $43,702 | $812 | 31.5% |
| Mobilev | 195,111 | $38,644 | $753 | 26.2% |
| Huntsvillevi | 180,105 | $48,881 | $717 | 39.0% |
Alabama Communities
The state of Alabama is made up of all different communities, each one with its own atmosphere, traditions, and history. Some students might already know where they want to study—maybe you have your eye on a specific school, for example. But just in case you’re not sure yet, here are some basic descriptions of three of Alabama’s biggest cities.Birmingham
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama if measured by population. Founded during the Reconstruction era, the city was formed when three farm towns combined. Like its UK namesake, the city has industrial roots, with the steel industry playing a big role. Today, the city’s economy is more diverse, with healthcare and social services, hospitality, finance, and science and technical services all represented. v Residents of Birmingham may take part in any of a variety of arts and culture festivals. This includes events dedicated to folk, jazz, southern heritage, African American art, LGBT pride, and more. Birmingham has multiple universities where graduate students like you might come to study. These include the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Samford University, Birmingham School of Law, The University of Montevallo, and more.Montgomery
The capital of Alabama, Montgomery is the second largest city after Birmingham. Like Birmingham, it was founded by merging several smaller communities. Montgomery has both a strong military presence and a strong higher education presence, with the Maxwell Air Force Base and universities like Alabama State, Troy University, Auburn University, Faulkner University and Huntington College. Montgomery is a diverse city, with more than 58% of the population identifying as black on the US Census, followed by about 37% white.vi Historically, the city had an economy driven by agriculture. Today, healthcare and social services are one of the largest industries employing people there. Other ones include technology and the sciences, and education, among others. vii Montgomery is also home to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, the F Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, and more.Huntsville
Located in the Appalachian region of Alabama, Huntsville is the state’s third largest city. It’s known as “The Rocket City” because of the role the city played in space exploration—not to mention the fact that the US Space and Rocket Center is located here. Huntsville is also involved with technology and research, as well as the defense industry and biotechnology, making it a potentially attractive location especially for people interested in engineering and related roles. Huntsville has a robust higher education presence. Several universities make their homes here, including Alabama A&M, Oakwood University, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Alabama colleges with satellite campuses in Huntsville include Athens State University, Columbia College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Faulkner University, The University of Alabama Birmingham (with the Huntsville Regional Medical Campus), and more.What to Study in Alabama Graduate School Programs
Odds are, you already know what type of graduate degree you want to earn. This could be based on your bachelor’s degree and area of academic interest, or your career prospects… or both! Whatever it is, Alabama universities could support you in earning that degree, offering you the guidance, resources, and experience you’re looking for. Below is a list of top occupations in Alabama, as well as three examples of popular programs that people may come to Alabama graduate schools to study.Alabama Graduate Nursing Programs
Nursing is one of the most popular areas of study in Alabama, accounting for more than 11% of masters degrees awarded there.viii A few different types of nursing programs may be offered. This includes BSN to RN programs, MSN programs with an array of focus areas, nurse practitioner and advanced practice nursing programs, and more. Some Alabama graduate programs in nursing may be affiliated or have relationships with local hospitals, enabling students to pursue any necessary field work there. Some of these may even be nationally ranked. For example, US News & World Report ranks the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital as #1 in the state, with additional national rankings. Generally speaking, these programs are likely to align with the state licensure and education requirements to practice as a nurse in Alabama. If you plan to work elsewhere after you graduate, make sure you follow up to compare the requirements.Alabama Graduate Programs in Engineering
If you’re the kind of person who wants to apply their scientific, mathematical and technical savvy to solve problems and innovate, Alabama engineering graduate programs may be just what you’re looking for. Aspiring aerospace engineers may gravitate toward Huntsville in hopes of gaining professional experience in the defense or space industries, but other programs may be offered throughout the state. Everything from aerospace engineering to automotive and even systems engineering may be offered at various universities. One important thing to consider when choosing your Alabama engineering graduate program is the type and amount of experience you have. That’s because, while some programs may be designed to help newcomers to the field build up their foundational skills, others might be geared toward helping experienced professionals.Public Affairs
Public affairs and social sciences graduate programs in Alabama are designed to help you prepare to help others. Some may be geared toward working with clients to overcome problems. Others might focus on methods of performing research to better understand your community’s needs. You may be able to choose between several different types of programs in this category. For example, a Master of Public Administration program may be of interest if you’re preparing to or currently occupy a leadership role in a nonprofit organization. If you prefer to work one on one with clients, you may prefer Master of Social Work (MSW) programs or even counseling programs. The specific application requirements of each program type may vary. This could depend in part on the profession it’s designed to support and the relevant licensure requirements. Some roles in and related to social services may have certification or licensure requirements. As such, graduate programs in Alabama are likely to align more closely with the requirements in that state as opposed to elsewhere. If you plan to work in a different state, it may be helpful to compare the two so as to ensure the program you choose supports your goals.Find Alabama Graduate School Programs
The examples above aren’t the only Alabama Graduate School Programs you might consider. A number of programs might be available at Alabama grad schools to support your goals. Review the sponsored program listings below to start your search, and click on the names of the ones you’re interested in to read more and request information!Sources: [i] census.gov/quickfacts/table/POP010210/0107000,00
[ii] census.gov/quickfacts/table/POP010210/0151000,00
[iii] census.gov/quickfacts/table/POP010210/0150000,00
[iv] census.gov/quickfacts/table/POP010210/0137000,00
[v] datausa.io/profile/geo/birmingham-al/#category_industries
[vi] census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/montgomerycountyalabama/PST045216
[vii] datausa.io/profile/geo/montgomery-al/#category_industries
[viii] datausa.io/profile/geo/alabama/#education
Wake Forest University
Western Governors University
Colorado State University Global
Grand Canyon University
The Catholic University of America
Liberty University Online
Auburn University
Alabama State University
Jacksonville State University
Heritage Christian University
Alabama A & M University
Amridge University (formerly Southern Christian University)