Skip to navigation Skip to main content
Explore UAB

Colleges & Schools

Graduate School

Mentoring and Reflective Professional Practice Certificate

The Mentoring and Reflective Professional Practice (MENT) certificate is designed to provide students with opportunities to build strong mentoring and reflective professional practice skills while exploring what it takes to be a mentoring leader. The certificate offers courses in mentoring, leadership, communication skills, and more.

Why Mentoring and Reflective Professional Practice?

In today’s fast-paced world, organizations need leaders who can mentor and remain resilient by fostering effective and productive teams. The goal of the Mentoring and Reflective Professional Practice certificate is to help students gain the skills needed to facilitate environments conducive to effective and efficient productivity, as well as employee growth and leadership. We look forward to you joining us for classes that will support you in your journey to actualize your own mentoring and leadership potential while learning how to support others.

Who will benefit from MENT courses?

  • Employees, leaders, and mentors interested in developing or improving their mentoring, leadership, and teambuilding skills.
  • Employees seeking career advancement or transferable skills to maximize prospective employment opportunities.
  • Postdoctoral fellows preparing for entry into the workforce who want to stand out among their peers as the candidate with the most promise.
  • Current UAB employees, leaders, and mentors who are satisfied with their environment and wish to apply an institutional benefit that supports continued academic learning.

Questions?

 

  • Course Details

    The MENT graduate certificate can be completed within four or five semesters when students complete two, 3-credit hour courses in the fall or spring semesters and at least one, 3-credit hour course other semesters. Completion timeline may depend on elective preferences. Note: new curriculum implemented in spring 2026.

    Required Course (3 credit hours) Name Credit Hours Offered
    MENT 719 Introduction to Mentorship 3 CH Spring: Online
    Elective (12 credit hours) Name Credit Hours Offered
    At least one course suggested from:
    MENT 730 Maintaining a Professional Image 3 CH Fall
    RECM 701 Oral & Visual Communication 3 CH Spring
    At least one course suggested from:
    MENT 746 Critical Decisions in Mentoring 3 CH Fall
    RECM 745 Communication and Diverse Audiences 3 CH Fall
    GRD 617 Critical Thinking & Decision-Making 3 CH Fall, Spring and Summer
    At least one course suggested from:
    MENT 680 Reflective Professional Practice 3 CH Varies
    LEAD 580 Transformational Leadership 3 CH Varies
    *RECM 707, GRD 735, and GRD 713 may substitute for one, 3 credit-hour elective. 3 CH
    Total Credit Hours: 15 CH

     

    Course Planning
    Term Fall Start Spring Start Summer Start
    Fall RECM 745
    Spring MENT 719 MENT 719
    Summer Option: GRD 617 Option: GRD 617
    Fall MENT 730 and MENT 746 or LEAD 580 RECM 745 and MENT 746, 730, or LEAD 580 RECM 745 and MENT 730 or 746 or LEAD 580
    Spring Option: RECM 701 or MENT 680 Option: RECM 701 and MENT 680 MENT 719
    Summer Option: GRD 617
    Fall Option: MENT 746, 730 or LEAD 580 MENT 746, 730 or LEAD 580
    Spring Option: RECM 701 or MENT 680

    Schedules subject to change. Please check with program director for options during a specific semester.

  • Credit Toward Master's Degrees

    This graduate certificate may be incorporated into the MS or MA in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies (IGS). Learn more about IGS.

  • Admission Requirements
    • IGPS certificates are open to any graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, or UAB employee with a bachelor’s degree (minimum 2.5 GPA from an accredited institution).  
    • Current graduate students or postdoctoral fellows in good academic standing may enroll in IGPS courses without prior approval.  
    • Current undergraduate UAB students must have at least 60 earned hours with a 3.0 GPA to enroll in IGPS courses.  
  • Application Checklist

    Admission to the Mentoring and Reflective Practice graduate certificate (MENT) is based on previous academic work and your personal statement. To apply, you will need: 

    • An updated resume and/or CV. 
    • A personal statement (300-500 words) that outlines your interest in the certificate. For MENT, discuss how this program will contribute to achieving your professional, academic, and personal goals, and elaborate on your commitment to mentoring and professional growth. Use the personal statement to explain your motivations and aspirations for pursuing this certificate. 
    • Official copies of academic transcripts to include in your application; you may submit copies with your application and submit official transcript later.  
    • Completed online application and the required fee.  

    Existing graduate students pursuing a master's degree or higher may add the certificate to their program using the Change/Update Program Form.  

  • You're Admitted - Next Steps
    • New students: Visit the New Students to UAB page. 
    • Current students: Reach out to your program director to determine which classes to take and upcoming orientation. 
    • Questions: Email igps@uab.edu or the program contact.  
  • Frequently Asked Questions

    What are the admissions requirements for MENT?

    An earned bachelor’s degree (minimum 2.5 GPA) from a regionally accredited college or university, a resume/CV, personal statement, and transcripts. See the Application Checklist for full details of requirements.

    Students currently enrolled in a master’s degree or above may add the certificate to their current degree program. 

    Is the MENT certificate an academic credential? 

    Yes. The certificate is an academic credential that will appear on your academic transcript.  Courses can be used for the IGS Master’s degree. 

    Can undergraduate students take MENT courses?

    Yes, with permission of the program director and your academic advisor.

    Can a student take MENT courses if not enrolled in the MENT certificate program?

    Yes. You do not need to be admitted to the certificate to take courses. Anyone in the following groups may enroll:

    • Undergraduate Jr. & Sr.
    • Non-degree seeking, postbaccalaureate 
    • Graduate students enrolled in other programs
    • Postdoctoral fellows
    • UAB employees
    • UAB faculty
    • Community members

    If you are not a current degree-seeking student, you will need to apply to as a non-degree seeking graduate student to enroll in courses. 

    Can UAB employees use the tuition benefit to pay for MENT courses?

    Yes. Current UAB employees may use the tuition benefits to take courses. Current UAB employees may take individual classes based on their interest and professional goals.  They may also apply to complete the certificate.Contact benefits@uab.edu for more information on educational benefits.

Back to Top