Resources and Support

Support for Conditions Related to Pregnancy

The University understands that students may need additional support as they navigate pregnancy and its related medical conditions. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Programs has compiled a list of University and community resources that can provide additional support to these students.

Reasonable Modifications Related to Pregnancy and Related Medical Conditions

The University provides Reasonable Modifications to students with needs related to their pregnancy or pregnancy-related medical condition to ensure students can equally access their education programs and activities. The Student Pregnancy and Related Medical Conditions Assistance Policy sets forth guidelines for students to request Reasonable Modifications related to pregnancy or related medical conditions. To request Reasonable Modifications, students should complete the Pregnant Student Reasonable Modification Request Form and review the Policy in more detail. Students may also find FAQs helpful in navigating their rights with respect to requesting Reasonable Modifications.

Leaves of Absence

Students may take a leave of absence related to their pregnancy or related medical condition. Students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor before taking a leave of absence to better understand the academic implications for degree progress, sequencing, licensure requirements, financial aid, and expected graduation timeline. For more information about leaves of absence for undergraduate students, graduate students in the coursework phase of their degree program, and doctoral students who have advanced to candidacy, please review the Pregnant Student FAQs.

Eligible graduate students with assistantships may qualify for paid Graduate Assistant Pregnancy Leave. For more information, please review the Graduate Assistant Pregnancy Leave Policy and review the Pregnant Student FAQs.

Nursing Mothers’ Rooms

The University provides nursing mothers’ rooms to support nursing mothers returning to work or school. Each room offers a clean, secure, and private space, other than a bathroom, for women who need to express breast milk during their time on campus. All of the rooms are equipped with a table, chair, and lock from the inside. Currently, the University provides at least 35 nursing mothers’ rooms across campus. Individuals can visit the nursing mothers’ room website for a complete list of the rooms’ locations. Additionally, the website allows for individuals to request new nursing mothers’ rooms be created in University buildings, based on space availability, and provides additional links for breastfeeding support.

Physical and Mental Health Support

The University understands that students may need additional physical and mental health support while a student is pregnant or experiencing pregnancy-related medical events. The following is a list of University resources that can assist students with these needs:

The UA Psychology Clinic is a multi-service center supported by the Psychology Department and UA. They provide confidential and individualized services for the UA and Tuscaloosa communities.
The Counseling Center provides low cost counseling and psychological services to University students.
Capstone Family Therapy Clinic provides the community with help in resolving personal problems by working with individuals, couples, and families in clarifying issues, exploring options, and finding solutions to problems.
University Medical Center Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Clinic provides confidential counseling services for any member of the public.
Student Health Center provides medical services for students only including a Walk-In Clinic, Women’s Health Services, Laboratory, X-ray, and Psychiatry.
University Medical Center provides direct health care services to the community including family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics and geriatrics, psychiatry and behavioral medicine, and women’s health.

Support for Parenting Students

The University of Alabama strives to support its students throughout their educational journey. In addition to resources available for students who are pregnant or experiencing pregnancy-related medical conditions, parenting students may benefit from a variety of campus and community resources that support family responsibilities and child-rearing needs. The information below is intended to help student parents access services that can contribute to their academic success and overall well-being.

Child Care Options

Tuscaloosa has a multitude of childcare options available to the entire community. The University of Alabama provides three specific childcare options that are available to the University community, including students, as well as the larger Tuscaloosa community.

The Capstone Learning Academy (CLA) provides education and family care solutions for UA’s faculty, staff, students, and the community. CLA is managed by KinderCare Education at Work. CLA cares for infants starting at six weeks of age through pre-K and provides well-qualified teachers, expert-backed curriculum, an on-site nurse, meals designed by nutritionist, a safe environment, and well-designed play areas.
The Rise Center is a nationally recognized early childhood education program that is dedicated to excellence in service, research, and teaching. The program predominately serves young children with varying abilities, but also includes traditional learners. The RISE model is a unique blend of early childhood education, child development, early childhood special education, and integrated therapy. The purpose of the program is to optimally prepare children for their next educational environment, and to provide support to families. RISE is a part of the College of Human Environmental Studies at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa Alabama.
The University of Alabama Children’s Program is part of the Child Development Research Center in the College of Human Environmental Sciences. The program is the child development center for the children of faculty, students and staff of The University of Alabama and serves children from the age of two months to five years. The goals of the Children’s Program are to promote optimum physical, emotional, cognitive and language development for young children and to provide teaching and research opportunities for University of Alabama undergraduate and graduate students.

Academic Support

Caregivers and students who have been medically released by a doctor post-childbirth can request assistance and support, including academic assistance, through the Office of Student Care and Well-Being. Student Care and Well-Being also offers hardship assistance to students, including providing meal swipes, emergency financial relief, and access to a food pantry.

Pregnant and parenting students can also utilize the below academic resources to stay on track academically while balancing personal and family responsibilities:

The Capstone Center for Student Success provides academic coaching, study skills development, tutoring, and other support services to help students achieve their academic goals. Pregnant and parenting students can utilize these resources to stay on track academically while balancing personal and family responsibilities.
The Math Technology Learning Center offers free math tutoring, academic support, and testing services to help students succeed in mathematics and related courses. These resources can assist pregnant and parenting students in maintaining academic progress and meeting course requirements.
The Writing Center provides individualized assistance with writing assignments at every stage of the writing process, from brainstorming to final revisions. Pregnant and parenting students can receive personalized feedback and support to strengthen their writing and manage academic demands effectively.

Parenting Support and Resources

Child Development Resources (CDR) is a nonprofit agency located within the University’s department of Human Development and Family Studies since 1993. It serves as a resource for families and providers in Tuscaloosa and surrounding regions. Among other services, the CDR provides programs and resources for parents including the following:

Parent Resource Library is a free service of Child Development Resources at the University of Alabama. It has a wide variety of resources such as parenting and children’s books as well as parent-child activity kits designed to support families in parenting their young children. The PRL offers free STEAM events every month.
Baby TALK is a community effort designed to encourage parents in the nurture of their small children. New parents are provided with basic child development information and suggestions for developmentally appropriate activities. A gift book is given to parents to read aloud to their children, believing that reading aloud, more than any other single activity, will enhance the parent/child relationship as it encourages the child’s mental, social, and language development. Baby TALK programming is present in both regional hospitals (DCH Regional Medical Center, Northport Medical Center), Tuscaloosa and Bibb County Health Department WIC clinics, Pediatric clinics at University Medical Center, and Parent Resource Library at CDR.
Parenting Assistance Line (PAL) is for anyone who wants information and support in becoming a more confident parent. PAL can provide helpful assistance to moms, dads, grandparents, and relatives whose children are ages birth through adolescence. Caregivers can call 866-962-3030 or text 274448 for parenting tips from trusted experts, to receive notices of family-friendly events and resources.

Graduate Parent Support (GPS) is a program that provides academic, social, and emotional support for graduate and undergraduate students who have children. The objectives of GPS include:

Providing information about campus and community resources available to graduate and undergraduate students who have children.
Providing a centralized platform for students to communicate about various topics related to balancing graduate work and family.
Coordinating events that allow graduate students with children to network with each other, with professors, and with members of the larger community.
Providing opportunities for professional development and academic socialization.
Serving as an advocate for graduate and undergraduate students with children.
Instituting new programs and services that directly address the needs of student parents at the University of Alabama.
Providing one-to-one assistance to graduate and undergraduate students with children through email, voice, and face-to-face communication.
Working to foster an environment on campus that is receptive to children and their student parents.

University student parents and their families are eligible to participate in at least three large and free family events held throughout the academic year, as well as weekly newsletters highlighting academic, family, and social events happening on campus and in the Tuscaloosa community.