Graduate Opportunities Continue to Grow for UM Alumni

December 6, 2023

The University offers graduate programs and certificates for anyone seeking to further their education, whether they just completed an undergraduate degree on the bricks or are coming back to school after years of career work. You still belong at Montevallo.

UM offers graduate programs in business, counseling, education, English, exercise science, instructional technology and speech language pathology. Graduate education at UM began in 1955 with a master’s degree offered in elementary education. Since then, it has grown to encompass the many degrees and certifications the University has today. A Master of Science in exercise science added in 2020 is the most recent addition to UM’s graduate programs.

Dr. Jennifer Alexiou-Ray, director of graduate studies, said approximately 75 percent of UM’s graduate programs are in the discipline of education, but the University is expanding offerings to include other types of degrees.

“In education, we have master’s degrees, alternative master’s degrees, educational specialist degrees as well as support certification programs for teachers offered through the state department of education,” Ray said.

In business, the Master of Business Administration Program features flexible online, blended and in-person options for students.

“Our MBA is a 30-credit hour program that can be completed in as little as one year,” said Dr. Amiee Mellon, dean of Stephens College of Business. “It fits your time frame. You’re getting real feedback, one-on-one from the faculty.”

Recently, the MBA program moved to the Jefferson State Community College campus on Valleydale Road, making the program convenient for more people throughout

the Birmingham-metro area who prefer an in-person learning environment rather than an online-only option.

“We’ve always wanted our offsite location to be convenient to commuters, and the partnership with Jeff State felt natural given our undergraduate partnership with them,” Mellon said.

Regarding graduate studies in general, Ray said the University is looking at adding more graduate programs in the future.

“We are constantly evaluating programs that fit well within the mission and vision of the University, and those deemed by faculty and administration to fit that mission and vision,” Ray said. “We have been purposefully growing graduate numbers since 2020.”

Those interested in obtaining more information or applying for one of UM’s graduate programs should visit  montevallo.edu/grad or call the Graduate Studies Office at  (205) 665-6380.