Resources for Music Education Majors

All music education majors (instrumental and vocal) must complete the fingerprinting process by the end of their freshman year.  Please read the information carefully to complete your fingerprinting:

Fieldprint

® Fingerprinting Instructions
You will need the following to complete the fingerprinting registration process successfully:
• A computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access
• A valid email account
• Established AIM account
• ALSDE ID# (see below)
• Fee of $46.20 paid by debit card, credit card, or PayPal Account (Prepaid debit cards or credit
cards are acceptable)
• Ability to provide your commonly known personal information (SSN, DOB, DL#, Height, Weight, etc.)
Be sure to follow the required sequence below. If you do not, you will not be able to complete the process
successfully.

Step 1: Create an AIM Account by visiting the ALSDE Identity Management website at https://aim.alsde.edu and select “Need an account?”. Follow the prompts to complete your AIM account. Note: Existing AIM users should simply log into AIM by entering your ALSDE ID# or email address and password. After your AIM account is created, you will be taken to their home page. Note: Be sure to make note of your ALSDE ID#. This will be needed to complete registration with Fieldprint.

Step 2: Complete the Background Check Registration in AIM by clicking on “Fieldprint Background Check”. Click on the “Set” button under Educator Certification and Criminal History Background Checks. Follow the prompts to complete the Background Check Registration. Once your Fieldprint Background Check Registration is complete you will be taken to their home page.

Step 3: Create a Fieldprint Account. New users will click on “Sign Up” to schedule a fingerprinting appointment. Follow the prompts to complete your Fieldprint Account. Once your Fieldprint Account is created, you will be returned to the Login screen. Select “Log In” to continue.

Step 4: Complete Fieldprint Authorization forms, schedule appointment, and fee payment. Log In to your Fieldprint account. Follow prompts to schedule a fingerprint appointment and send payment for $46.20. Be sure to select the Alabama State Department of Education as your designated agency for fingerprint submission.

Note: Email confirmation of the appointment will be sent. The email will include a list of approved forms of identification that must be presented during your fingerprint appointment.

Step 5: Report for fingerprint appointment. Be sure to review what to bring to your appointment as well as procedures for canceling an appointment, if needed. If you decide to reschedule your appointment, return to alabamaacceptance.fieldprint.com and log in as an existing user, and click on the Reschedule button to make a
new appointment.

Step 6: After your fingerprints are scanned, your background check results will be available in 2-3 days. Results can be viewed and/or printed on the Alabama State Department of Education Tcert portal: http://tcert.alsde.edu/Portal/Public/Pages/SearchCerts.aspx

Important Notes

• For questions or problems regarding online registration, call Fieldprint at 1-866-989-9316.
• For questions regarding your results, contact the Alabama State Department of Education, Teacher Education and Certification office at (334) 694-4557.

Students in teacher certification programs are required to maintain student professional liability insurance coverage. The Alabama Education Association (AEA) will pay for your coverage if you enroll by clicking on this link: www.myAEA.org. Select “Click Here To Join Now”.  

Membership will be active from the date you join until graduation. Once you have enrolled, you will receive an email confirmation of your membership and coverage in the professional liability insurance program. Please forward the email confirmation you receive from AEA to sdarst@southalabama.edu. 

Alabama Education Association

Students who are on-schedule in their degree program should apply for candidacy during the spring of their sophomore year.  Please check with your Department of Music advisor regularly to make sure you are on-schedule to receive candidacy by the end of your sophomore year.  

Candidacy eligibility will be reviewed by the College of Education for all sophomore level music education majors.  If you are in the spring of your Sophomore year and have not received notification about candidacy eligibility from the College of Education please contact your Department of Music advisor.

Students enrolled in MUE 444 or MUE 455 are required to complete field experience within the local school systems. This is coordinated through the College of Education each semester. In order to be placed for field experience you must visit the link below and fill out the required form:

MUE 444 Field Experience Observation (Fall 2025)

MUE 455 Field Experience Observation (Spring 2026) 

All students must pass the Praxis® "Music Content Knowledge" Exam (Test Code 5113) prior to their student teaching semester.  Students must score a minimum of 161 on the Music Content Knowledge Exam in order to complete their degree requirements and the ALSDE requirements for teacher certification in Music Education (Choral or Instrumental P-12).  Students who do not have a passing Praxis® score will NOT be allowed to student teach and will have their graduation delayed.

• Music Education students can read more about the Praxis exams by downloading the Praxis® Information Bulletin.
• Music Education students can read more about Alabama ALSDE teaching certification requirements by downloading Manual B of the Alabama Educator Assessment Policies.
• To register for the Praxis® Music Content Knowledge Exam please visit the ETS Praxis® website.
• Practice exams are available for purchase through the Praxis® website.

Student teaching is the capstone experience for any music education major.  You are required to apply to student teach one the semester prior to student teaching. The deadline for Fall 2025 student teachers is March 14, 2025. In order to be considered for a student teaching placement you must visit the link below and fill out the required form.

Fall 2025 Student Teaching Application