Office of Professional Studies and Experiential Learning -- OPSEL
Welcome to the Office of Professional Studies and Experiential Learning at UAB. If you are a lifelong learner, a seasoned professional looking to advance your leadership skills, or a young professional interested in building a more robust resume, we have something for you. OPSEL is home to UAB’s Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies degree programs (MA & MS), multiple graduate certificates, and numerous other academic, leadership, and professional development opportunities. Our offerings are open to anyone affiliated with UAB interested in advancing their knowledge, skills, and career with post-baccalaureate studies. UAB Undergraduate Students may also enroll in our academic courses with permission from their academic advisor and the course instructor.
OPSEL embodies UAB’s education mission by offering interdisciplinary academic and professional development programs designed to support leadership and career advancement among diverse student populations. Everyone is welcome to take a class, earn a certificate, attend a free informational seminar or workshop, or drop by for holistic academic support or career transition consultations.
For more information about OPSEL’s offerings, explore the links below or stop by Lister Hill Library (G08) to chat with one of our team members, or email OPSEL@uab.edu. We look forward to seeing you in one of our courses or free offerings soon.
Program | School/Unit | Program Director | Details |
---|---|---|---|
Academic Advising Graduate Certificate | Graduate School | Dr. Heather Ammons OPSEL@uab.edu |
Certificate Program |
CIRTL Practitioner/Scholar Graduate Certificate | Graduate School | Dr. Stefanie Varghese OPSEL@uab.edu |
Certificate Program |
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Advocacy (CERT) | Graduate School | Dr. Michelle M. Allen OPSEL@uab.edu |
Certificate Program |
Leadership and Professional Development (LEAD) | Graduate School | Dr. Brandon R. Brown brownbr@uab.edu |
Certificate Program |
Mentoring and Leadership | Graduate School | Dr. Brandon R. Brown brownbr@uab.edu |
Certificate Program |
Postdoctoral Professional Development | Graduate School | Dr. Lisa Schwiebert lschwieb@uab.edu |
Certificate Program |
Research Communication | Graduate School | Dr. Stefanie Varghese OPSEL@uab.edu |
Certificate Program |
Research Laboratory Management | Graduate School | Dr. Lisa Schwiebert lschwieb@uab.edu |
Certificate Program |
Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies | Graduate School | Dr. Brandon R. Brown brownbr@uab.edu |
MA or MS Degree |
Academic Advising
Certificate Program, Graduate School
Program Director: Dr. Heather Ammons, heammons@uab.edu
Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL)
Certificate Program, Graduate School
Program Director: Dr. Stefanie Varghese, OPSEL@uab.edu
Leadership and Professional Development (LEAD)
Certificate Program, Graduate School
Program Director: Dr. Lisa Marie Kerr, lkerr@uab.edu
Mentoring and Leadership
Certificate Program, Graduate School
Program Director: Dr. Brandon R. Brown, brownbr@uab.edu
Research Communication
Certificate Program, Graduate School
Program Director: Dr. Stefanie Varghese, sbvarghese@uab.edu
Research Laboratory Management
Certificate Program, Graduate School
Program Director: Dr. Lisa Schwiebert, lschwieb@uab.edu
Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies
MA or MS Degree, Graduate School
Program Director: Dr. Lisa Marie Kerr, lkerr@uab.edu
In addition to the above academic programs, we offer thesis and dissertation writing support through our Accelerate Your Dissertation workshops and writing groups, and information sessions to help you enhance your time management, teaching, and communication skills. We also provide support as you prepare job materials for a job search.