As part of a major public university, the Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education (formerly the College of Continuing Studies) provides flexible and innovative educational opportunities, technical assistance and applied research that touches lives and creates opportunities in ways that make a difference and improve our world.
OTIDE is committed to inclusive engagement and accessibility, high-impact practices, innovative adaptability, quality enhancement and continuous improvement in all that we do and for all those we serve. To drive these missions, all OTIDE employees were invited to contribute to the development of a strategic plan to guide our office’s future. The OTIDE Strategic Plan establishes priorities for our aspirational education, consultation and outreach goals.
OTIDE is making the incredible resources of The University of Alabama available to everyone, anywhere in the world:
Through UA Early College, high school students can earn college credit online or in person.
ACCESS Virtual Learning (Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators and Students Statewide), an education initiative of the Alabama Department of Education, provides opportunities for Alabama public middle and high school students to engage in Advanced Placement, elective and other courses through online learning that otherwise wouldn’t be available to them.
UA Online offers University of Alabama degree programs in highly flexible online and hybrid formats for those wanting to earn a premier degree on their schedule from anywhere in the world.
UA Online scholarship and grant programs include:
- Back to Bama — Former UA students may receive a free course when they return to complete their degree.
- Build on Bama — UA graduates can receive a free course when they enroll in a new degree program with UA Online.
- Bama Link — Alabama and partner community college graduates, faculty and staff can receive a free course in a UA Online degree program.
Our Military Services team includes specialized support, and we also offer a grant to help cover costs not paid by military tuition assistance. The University of Alabama is a Top 10 Tier 1 Research Institution Military Friendly® School and unlimited Yellow Ribbon school.
OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) provides a variety of intellectually stimulating non-credit courses, field trips, social gatherings and volunteer opportunities designed for adults 50 and older.
New College LifeTrack gives adults the opportunity to earn their undergraduate degrees through flexible schedules and custom-designed courses of study. Students are even eligible to earn academic credit for past work experience.
Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning provides certificate programs, workshops, conferences and continuing education experiences to professionals. CELL’s abundant portfolio of opportunities is ideal for individuals seeking to learn new concepts and strengthen essential skills, in addition to organizations seeking to enhance their workforce.
Additionally, OTIDE houses The University of Alabama’s Teaching Academy, which supports the institution’s strategic goal of providing a premier education characterized by outstanding teaching. It serves as an instructional resource hub and innovation center dedicated to promoting equitable and supportive learning environments and high-quality, evidence-based instruction.