Through the UAB School of Optometry’s program, the students earned a Doctor of Optometry degree in 29 months. UAB is one of three schools in the United States and the first school in the Southeast to offer a program like this.
The Center for Clinical and Translational Science based at the University of Alabama at Birmingham has been awarded four grants from the National Center for Advancing Translational Science, part of the National Institutes of Health, totaling $82 million over seven years.
College is for growing, so do not be afraid to make mistakes and grow. Dr. Shaia helped me believe in myself and grow into someone who can go into a career and be successful.
— Sam Pugh, Communications major with a concentration in Public Relations, Class of 2023
The way that the instructors at UAB have set up their coursework, I feel equally engaged with my peers, and I very much feel like I’m in a classroom. It’s just as rewarding as being on campus.
I gave up everything I had to come to UAB. However, I knew this was something that I wanted to do no matter the personal fears and doubts I had.... Now I’m leaving this program with eight research publications and three prepared to submit, which serves as a reminder of the quality of UAB’s education.
Just the faculty, the lengths they will go through to [help you] figure it out. It’s just crazy how willing they are to help and how much they care about us — as creatives, as actual human beings — separate from what we are doing as a career.
— Troy Serena, musical theatre major, Class of 2023
Being on campus, and the fact that it is a young university and I have the chance to play a role in shaping the impact it has, was really meaningful to me, and that is why I chose UAB.
Coming from a small high school, I knew I wanted to go to a college that did not have any closed gates or doors — where I could meet people from all over — and that’s what I have found at UAB.
UAB has not only shown me to believe in myself, but there is opportunity for everyone, and it doesn’t matter if you have a disability. UAB is one of the best colleges that focuses on diversity.
I always knew my career path wouldn’t be the same as other people. With faculty help, I was networking at conferences and even taking a business class when it interested me.
UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and family-friendly environment in which all faculty and staff can excel and achieve work/life balance irrespective of race, national origin, age, genetic or family medical history, gender, faith, gender identity and expression as well as sexual orientation. UAB also encourages applications from individuals with disabilities and veterans.