Alabama State University

Alabama State University appears in the ranking of the 10 Most Affordable Doctorate in Physical Therapy Online.

Alabama State University began with the goal to provide higher education for African-Americans in Alabama. Not only did the Civil War end slavery, but it also gave blacks the ability to become educated. Nine freed slaves from Marion, Alabama, now called the "Marion Nine," with the assistance of missionaries sent from Northern churches, began establishing educational institutions for free blacks and Alabama State University was created as part of that movement.

The Lincoln Normal School opened in 1867, making Alabama State University the oldest higher education institution for blacks in the country. The Marion Nine, which included Joey Pinch, Thomas Speed, Nickolas Dale, James Childs, Thomas Lee, John Freeman, Nathan Levert, David Harris and Alexander Curtis, were members of the first Board of Trustees. The group raised $500 to purchase land on which to construct the first school building for the new school.

While the building was under construction, a building was leased by the American Missionary Association. In 1869, the Board of Trustees were able to raise $4,200 to construct the new building, using $2,800 from the Freedman's Bureau of the federal government. The remainder was donated by the "colored people of Alabama." Teachers were provided by the American Missionary Association and the legislature appropriated $486 for the school, an amount that rose to $1,250 the following year.

In 1871, the State Normal School and University for the Education of Colored Teachers and Students was established by the Alabama legislature. Included in the act was a provision that the Lincoln School's assets be merged into the new school, creating the first state-supported liberal arts school for blacks in the country. In 1887, the Alabama Colored People's University was established with a push to locate the school in Montgomery and a decision was made to move the University established in 1871 to the new city. The move was controversial and the legislature pulled support from the school temporarily. This forced the school to operate only on tuition, volunteers and donations. That school became the Normal School for Colored Students under legislation passed in 1889 and funding from the state was reinstated.

Today, the University of Alabama offers nearly 50 programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. Students also have access to more than 70 clubs and organizations as well as access to a vibrant community surrounding the campus.

University of Alabama Accreditation Details

The University of Alabama is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. This indicates that the school undergoes periodic evaluation on a volunteer basis to confirm that the school continues to meet criteria set forth by the accrediting agency that indicates to parents, students and employers that graduates are prepared for leadership roles. In addition, programs throughout the school are accredited by the following agencies:

• Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
• Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs
• Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education
• Commission on Physical Therapy Education
• Council on Rehabilitation Education
• Council on Social Work Education
• National Association of Schools of Art and Design
• National Association of Schools of Music
• National Association of Schools of Theatre
• National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

University of Alabama Application Requirements

Students who have not earned college credit after high school graduation are considered freshmen at the University of Alabama. They must complete an application and provide official high school transcripts as well as official ACT and SAT scores. Transfer students are those that have earned college credit after high school graduation must complete an application and provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.

Graduate students must complete an application and provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. One transcript must display the conferring of a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. Students must also provide official GRE or MAT scores. Students entering the Master of Accountancy must provide GMAT scores. Three professional letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose are also required. Additional information may be required for some graduate degree programs.

University of Alabama Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time undergraduate tuition at the University of Alabama is $11,068 for in-state students and $19,396 for out-of-state students. Graduate tuition is $10,156 for in-state and $17,572 for out-of-state students.

Financial aid is available and students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify. Students may be eligible for scholarship, grants, loans or work-study programs. It is important to remember that loans must be repaid after graduation.

University of Alabama Online Degree Program(s) Available

Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy

The Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy offered at Alabama State University allows working physical therapy professionals to update and complete credentials for certification as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. The program is available online and has a track for certificate holders as well as those who have completed bachelor or master's degrees. The program is interdisciplinary and taught by an experienced faculty. Courses required for the program include:

• Clinical Pharmacology
• Clinical Research
• Diagnostic Tests
• Differential Diagnosis
• Documentation PTH
• Evidence-based Practice
• Health Disparities PTH
• Pathiophysiology PTH
• Primary Care PTH
• Research Methods

Students must also complete professional seminars regarding contemporary issues in PT, applied clinical research in PT, case analysis in PT practice and the doctoring profession. Students must have a bachelor's, master's or certificate from a CAPTE accredited program, a valid license to practice physical therapy as well as documented clinical experience to apply.

The University of Alabama began as one of the first institutes of higher learning for African Americans. Since the beginning, the University has offered programs in a unique way that are designed with working adults and non-traditional students in mind. At the University of Alabama, students are able to advance in a current career or move into a new career through programs offered through flexible, online formats.