The UAB academic experience is fueled by innovative curricula, strong mentoring and groundbreaking research and scholarship in a highly interdisciplinary environment that equips students for the ever-changing demands of the global job market.
Students and faculty In 11 schools - including a newly-formed College of Arts and Sciences - are daily making breakthroughs in in social and behaviorial sciences, the arts and humanities, natural sciences and math, business, dentistry, education, engineering, health professions, medicine, nursing, optometry and public health.
Tailored Courses for the Knowledge Economy
UAB has always eschewed a “one size fits all” approach to education. Consequently, curricula are tailored to individual goals and the demands of today’s global, knowledge economy. Courses are designed to ensure students are equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century head-on—and are prepared to lead the way, in whatever field they choose. Many programs are unique in Alabama, the Southeast and the nation. Among other distinctive programs, UAB offers:
An Undergraduate Neuroscience Program that provides the type of hands-on research and close mentoring found only at the graduate level at most other universities.
An Ethnographic Filmmaking course (encourages students to explore the meaning of community and create films examining issues affecting Birmingham. Some of these films have been recognized at Birmingham’s annual Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival.
A Community of Scholars
As part of the Quality Enhancement Plan, students develop effective communication skills, a rich depth and breadth of knowledge, experience with problem-solving, and the ability to make informed, ethical decisions--all key to leadership in our local and global community. Freshman Learning Communities, now numbering over two dozen, help integrate new students into college life as they share courses around a common theme. The Discussion Book Program exposes new students each year to different cultures and complex socio-political issues examined through respectful dialogue. The result of these and other unique offerings is a diverse, close-knit community of talented, passionate students learning from both their mentors and their peers.
Highly recruited students from around the nation and the world are drawn to the specialized courses and research opportunities of UAB Honors Academy. The flagship University Honors Program has long been a model for similar programs throughout the United States and continues to produce Fulbright, Goldwater and Rhodes Scholars. Among the Honors Academy offerings:
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The Science and Technology Honors Program provides advanced research opportunities and close mentoring. Enrollment has grown to 138 members and 35 of them have been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
The Early Medical Professional Schools Acceptance Program shadow physicians and take special seminars while they complete their undergraduate education – and are guaranteed slots in the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry and Optometry.
And UAB students don't merely learn about global leadership; they live it, studying abroad and doing service learning on every continent of the globe (yes, even Antarctica). Through UAB Study Away, students are now traveling to some 57 international sites--from mist-shrouded peaks of Machu Picchu, to China’s Great Wall, to the Galapagos Islands.
Nationally Acclaimed Graduate Programs
For four consecutive years, UAB graduate and first professional enrollment has reached record highs--reaching 5,483 in fall 2010--and has grown by 34% since 2002. In 2009, the university awarded record numbers of master's and doctoral degrees, and the number of doctorates awarded has nearly doubled since 2002. More Alabamians are enrolled in graduate and professional programs at UAB than any other university in Alabama.
This is thanks to groundbreaking and nationally-respected programs. UAB continues to rank highly in U.S. News “Best Graduate Schools,” with 13 programs in the top 25 and five in the top 10:
Health Professions: Master’s in health administration, 5
Medicine: AIDS, 6
Medicine: Primary care, 10
Nursing: Nurse practioner (adult), 10
Nursing: Nursing service administration, 10
Nursing: Nurse practioner (family), 12
Medicine: Geriatrics, 12
Medicine: Rural medicine, 15
Public health: Master's in public health, 16
Heath Professions: Occupational therapy, 17
Medicine: Internal medicine, 20
Nursing: Master's in nursing, 21
Health Professions: Physician assistant, 25
In the National Resarch Council's 2010 Assessment of U.S. Doctoral Programs, 16 of 23 (70%) UAB programs ranked highly.
The postdoctoral experience at UAB is also nationally-recognized. The Scientist ranks UAB 22nd nationally (and 6th among public universities) in its top 40 “Best Places to Work as a Postdoctoral Fellow.”
The result of these and other unique offerings is a diverse, close-knit community of talented, passionate students learning from both their mentors and their peers.
And UAB students don't merely learn about global leadership; they live it, studying abroad and doing service learning on every continent of the globe (yes, even 
