BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Students who dream of leading a classroom now have a clearer road from a community college campus in Baldwin County to a four-year teaching degree in Mobile, thanks to a new partnership between the University of Mobile and Coastal Alabama Community College.
Leaders from both institutions gathered Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Coastal Alabama’s Bay Minette Campus to celebrate a new articulation agreement that establishes transfer pathways for students pursuing degrees in education. The agreement is designed to make it easier for Coastal Alabama students to continue their studies at the University of Mobile without losing ground on the credits they have already earned.
Three programs, one defined path
Under the agreement, eligible general studies and child development coursework completed at Coastal Alabama will transfer into three University of Mobile undergraduate programs:
- Early Childhood/Elementary Education
- Child and Social Development
- Collaborative K-6 Special Education
The partnership gives Coastal Alabama students a structured path to continue their education at the University of Mobile while preparing for careers as professional educators. Students can begin their academic journey at Coastal Alabama, typically at a lower cost and closer to home, and then continue at the University of Mobile with a defined route toward a four-year degree and teacher preparation.
‘A clear and supported pathway’
University of Mobile President Dr. Charles Smith said the partnership is about removing obstacles for students who feel called to teach.
“The University of Mobile is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Coastal Alabama Community College to create a clear and supported pathway for students who feel called to serve through education,” Smith said. “When we work together to remove barriers and create opportunities, we help students move confidently from where they are today toward the calling God has placed on their lives. We look forward to welcoming these students to UM and equipping them to lead and serve in classrooms and communities.”
Dr. Ashley Milner, dean of the School of Education at the University of Mobile, said the agreement strengthens the connection between two institutions committed to preparing students for meaningful careers.
“The University of Mobile is proud to partner with Coastal Alabama Community College, offering students a seamless pathway to a four-year degree,” Milner said. “This articulation agreement ensures a smooth transition directly into UM’s undergraduate teacher education programs.”
The transfer pathways were developed through the collaborative work of Milner; Dr. Carolyn Corliss, associate dean of accreditation and administration and professor of education at the University of Mobile; and Dr. Mary Beth Lancaster, dean of academic instruction at Coastal Alabama Community College.
What an articulation agreement means for students
An articulation agreement is a formal arrangement between two colleges that spells out exactly which courses at one school will be accepted at the other, and how they will count toward a degree. For students, that clarity matters. Without an agreement, transfer students can find that some of their credits count only as general electives, or do not transfer at all, which can mean repeating coursework, paying more tuition and taking longer to graduate.
Alabama’s public colleges and universities share a statewide transfer framework for general education courses. Because the University of Mobile is a private university, a direct agreement like this one gives Coastal Alabama students the same kind of predictability for the specific education programs covered, so they can plan their community college coursework knowing where it will lead.
For students interested in teaching young children, the pathway is especially practical. Coastal Alabama’s general studies and child development courses provide a foundation in subjects such as early learning and child growth, and the agreement allows eligible coursework to carry forward into UM’s teacher preparation programs.
Growing the next generation of teachers
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to higher education and preparing the next generation of educators to serve students and communities. School systems across Alabama and the nation have worked in recent years to recruit and retain qualified teachers, particularly in high-need areas such as special education and the early grades. Creating clear pathways from community colleges into teacher preparation programs is one way colleges are working to widen the pipeline.
The inclusion of Collaborative K-6 Special Education among the programs covered by the agreement is notable, since special education is an area where schools often have difficulty filling positions.
The University of Mobile has been active in teacher development across the region. Earlier this month, the university hosted its Teacher Education Council Annual Meeting, where 18 K-5 teacher leaders from seven school systems showcased their work after completing a months-long professional learning program called STEM Catalyst.
About the institutions
Coastal Alabama Community College was formed in 2017 through the consolidation of three local colleges and serves students across southwest Alabama from multiple campuses, including its campus in Bay Minette. The college recently began a major restoration of historic buildings on its Bay Minette campus, including Meadows Library and the Stone Classroom Building, which date to the 1960s.
The University of Mobile is a private Christian university founded in 1961 and affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention. Located about 10 miles north of Mobile on a campus of more than 880 acres, UM offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 75 academic programs. Its School of Education prepares students for careers in teaching and related fields.
How to learn more
Coastal Alabama students who are interested in a career in education can speak with an academic advisor about how the new pathway fits with their course plans and which classes are eligible to transfer. Prospective transfer students can also contact the University of Mobile’s admissions office or School of Education for details on program requirements and the transfer process.
Through the agreement, leaders from both schools say, students who feel called to the classroom will be able to begin close to home and continue confidently toward a four-year degree and a career shaping young lives.