Teaching Education Degrees in Arkansas

There are multiple teaching education degrees in Arkansas at each degree level. The most popular degree is the Bachelors of Education degree, with the Masters of Education program being extremely popular as well. Of the 2,000+ teachers hired in Arkansas each year, around 600 are hired through the nontraditional licensure program ( more info here on alternative teaching certification).

• 104 teaching programs in Arkansas accredited by CAEP
• 47 CAEP-accredited Bachelor's degrees
• 39 CAEP-accredited Master's degrees in Arkansas

Are there online teaching degrees in Arkansas?

Yes, there are multiple online teaching degree programs in Arkansas.

Arkansas State University offers online certificate, master and doctoral degree programs in areas like curriculum and instruction; educational leadership; educational theory and practice; special education, gifted, talented and creative; and special education instructional specialist K-12.

Henderson State University in Arkadelphia offers several options in online education including a Bachelor of Science in Special Education, Master of Science in Education and Educational Leadership and Master of Science in Developmental Therapy as well as programs of study that lead to licensure.

John Brown University offers an online Master of Science in Leadership and Higher Education.

Due to the extreme shortage of certified licensed teachers in Arkansas, the Arkansas Department of Education has initiated and approved a nontraditional licensure program that allows individuals with a bachelor's degree to work as a teacher in a classroom while they are completing the specific state requirements to obtain a Arkansas teaching license.

Arkansas Teaching Degrees at Different Levels

There are around 20 universities that offer some sort of teaching degree within the state of Arkansas. We have sorted our summaries of the most popular teaching degrees in Arkansas. Below are some Arkansas colleges that offer CAEP-approved teaching programs for both traditional and nontraditional licensure.

List of the Best CAEP Accredited Teaching Degrees in Arkansas

Arkansas State University

Jonesboro

CAEP

• Masters in Curriculum & Instruction M.S.E. ELCC
• Specialist or C.A.S. in Educational Leadership Ed.S. ELCC
• Masters in Educational Leadership M.S.E. ELCC
• Bachelors in English NCTE
• Bachelors in General Sciences NSTA
• Masters in Gifted & Talented Education NAGC
• Bachelors in Languages ACTFL
• Bachelors in Mathematics NCTM
• Bachelors in Mid-Level Education (4-8) AMLE
• Bachelors in Physical Education NASPE
• Masters in Reading ILA
• Specialist or C.A.S. in School Psychology NASP
• Bachelors in Social Studies (Baccalaureate) NCSS
• Masters in Special Education (P-4) CEC
• Masters in Special Education K12 MSE CEC

Arkansas Tech University

Russellville

CAEP

• Bachelors in Bio/Chem/Earth Science/Physics NSTA
• Bachelors in Broad Field Social Studies NCSS
• Bachelors in Early Childhood Education NAEYC
• Masters in Educational Leadership ELCC
• Specialist or C.A.S. in Educational Leadership ELCC
• Bachelors in English Education NCTE
• Bachelors in Foreign Language ACTFL
• Bachelors in Life Science/Earth Science NSTA
• Masters in Master of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership ELCC
• Bachelors in Mathematics NCTM
• Bachelors in Middle Level Education AMLE
• Bachelors in Physical Education NASPE
• Bachelors in Physical Science/Earth Science NSTA
• Masters in School Library Media Specialist ALA
• 0 in Special Education CEC

Harding University

Searcy

CAEP

• Bachelors in Early Childhood Special Education CEC
• Masters in Educational Leadership—Building Level Advanced ELCC
• Masters in Educational Leadership: Curriculum Program Administrator / Curriculum & Instruction ELCC
• Masters in Educational Leadership: Curriculum Program Administrator / Special Education ELCC
• Specialist or C.A.S. in Educational Leadership: District Administrator Advanced ELCC
• 0 in Foreign Language ACTFL
• Masters in Reading Specialist ILA
• Bachelors in Secondary Math NCTM

Henderson State University

Arkadelphia

CAEP

• Specialist or C.A.S. in Educational Leadership (Ed. S.) District Level ELCC
• Masters in Educational Leadership (MSE) Building Level ELCC
• Bachelors in English/Language Arts NCTE
• Bachelors in Mathematics Education NCTM
• Bachelors in Middle Level Education AMLE
• Bachelors in Social Studies Education NCSS

Southern Arkansas University

Magnolia

CAEP

• Bachelors in English Language Arts NCTE
• Masters in Library Media Science ALA

University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

Fort Smith

CAEP

• Bachelors in English with Teacher Licensure NCTE
• Bachelors in History with Social Studies Teacher Licensure NCSS
• Bachelors in Mathematics with Teacher Licensure NCTM
• Bachelors in Middle Childhood Education AMLE
• Bachelors in Spanish with Teacher Licensure ACTFL

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Little Rock

CAEP

• Masters in Early childhood-Special Education CEC
• Masters in EDAS building ELCC
• Specialist or C.A.S. in EDAS District ELCC
• Bachelors in English NCTE
• Masters in English – Graduate NCTE
• Bachelors in Foreign Language ACTFL
• Masters in Foreign Language graduate ACTFL
• Masters in Gifted and Talented NAGC
• Bachelors in Math NCTM
• Masters in Math – Graduate NCTM
• Bachelors in Middle Childhood AMLE
• Masters in Middle Childhood – Graduate AMLE
• Masters in Reading ILA
• Bachelors in Science NSTA
• Masters in Science – Graduate NSTA
• Bachelors in Social Studies NCSS
• Masters in Social Studies - Graduate NCSS
• Masters in Special Education CEC

University of Arkansas at Monticello

Monticello

CAEP

• Post Bachelors in 4-12 Special Education Instructional Specialist Advanced CEC
• Masters in Master of Education in Educational Leadership ELCC
• Bachelors in Middle Childhood Education AMLE
• Post Bachelors in P-4 Special Education Instructional Specialist Advanced CEC

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Pine Bluff

CAEP

• Bachelors in Early Childhood Education NAEYC
• Masters in Early Childhood Education Graduate NAEYC
• Bachelors in Math Education NCTM
• Bachelors in Middle School AMLE

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Fayetteville

CAEP

• Masters in Building Administrator (P-12) ELCC
• Masters in Chemistry (7-12) NSTA
• Specialist or C.A.S. in Curriculum/Program Administrator (P-12) ELCC
• 0 in Elementary Education (K-6) NAEYC
• 0 in Elementary Education (K-6) NAEYC
• Masters in English/Language Arts (7-12) NCTE
• 0 in French (K-12) ACTFL
• Masters in Mathematics (7-12) NCTM
• Masters in Social Studies (7-12) NCSS

University of Central Arkansas

Conway

CAEP

• Masters in Building-Level Administrator (P-12) ELCC
• Specialist or C.A.S. in District-Level Administrator (P-12) ELCC
• Bachelors in Early Childhood, P-4—Undergraduate NAEYC
• Bachelors in Elementary (K-6) ACEI
• Bachelors in English Language Arts - Secondary (7-12) NCTE
• Bachelors in Foreign Languages (K-12) ACTFL
• Masters in Library Media Specialist (K-12) ALA
• Bachelors in Mathematics - Secondary (7-12) NCTM
• Bachelors in Middle Level (4-8) AMLE
• Masters in Reading Specialist and Dyslexia (K-12) ILA
• Masters in School Leadership, Building Administrator—MS ELCC
• Masters in School Leadership, Curriculum/Program Administration ELCC
• Post Masters in School Psychology Specialist (K-12) NASP
• Bachelors in Science Education: Biology/Life & Physical (7-12) NSTA
• Bachelors in Social Studies - Secondary (7-12) NCSS
• Endorsement only in Special Education—0-8 years CEC
• Endorsement only in Special Education—Grades 4-12 CEC
• Masters in Special Education: Advanced (K-12) CEC

Bachelor’s in Education Degrees in Arkansas

Arkansas State University (ASU) offers several different bachelor degree programs, including a bachelor in athletic training, early childhood education, special education, exercise science, health promotion, sports management and a middle level education program that prepares teachers to teach grades 4-8 in two different subject areas.

• Henderson State University (HSU): offers bachelor degree programs that prepare teachers for careers in special education, athletic training, early childhood development, and physical education and coaching.
• John Brown University (JBU): has degree programs that prepare students for Arkansas teaching licenses in elementary education k-6, secondary education 7-12 (English, math or social studies), music education k-12 and TESOL (teaching English to Students of Other Languages) endorsement. Boasting of a curriculum rich in clinical experiences, JBU has bachelor degree programs in elementary education k-6 and secondary education 7-12.

Master’s in Education Degrees in Arkansas

ASU also offers various master degree programs. Students enrolled in a Master of Science in Education program can choose from curriculum and instruction; early childhood education, educational leadership; educational theory and practice; middle level education; special education, gifted, talented and creative; school counseling; special education instructional specialist grades 4-12; special education instructional specialist grades P-4; physical education or reading. ASU also offers Master of Science degrees as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) for bachelor degree holders to obtain licensure.

Students at HSU can advance their training and obtain on-the-job training with the 36-hour M.A.T. program. HSU also offers master degree programs in advanced instructional studies, sports administration, special education, clinical mental health counseling and educational leadership. JBU offers a M.A.T.–Secondary Education and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with concentrations in either Teacher as Leader or TESOL with ESL endorsement.

h2>Requirements to Teach in Arkansas

A Bachelor’s degree and specific education requirements must be met to teach in Arkansas. The specifications are based on the subject taught and the grade level. A performance-based certification system has been implemented by the State Education Licensure Unit of the Arkansas Department of Education. To pursue an Arkansas teaching certificate, applicants must have earned a Bachelor’s degree and have completed an approved program of teaching preparation. All applicants must also pass Praxis exams for the Principle of Learning and Teaching as well as Subject Assessment appropriate for the area of the endorsement being sought.

Applicants that complete these requirements are eligible for their initial teaching license. It is valid for five years and is considered a period of new teacher induction. Typically, new teachers are assigned a mentor to aid in professional growth and teaching practice. Each year teachers must complete professional development hours.

An alternative Arkansas teaching certificate is possible for those with a Bachelor’s degree but who have not completed the teacher preparation program. Factors that are considered are the licensure pathway, content-area coursework, and minimum GPA requirement. The completion of the alternative certification program typically takes two years.

Scholarships/Financial Aid Available

Living in Arkansas may make a student eligible for financial aid. It is available and not restricted to students with a 4.0 GPA. Here are some examples.

Arkansas YOUniversal System

Arkansas YOUniversal system is a one-stop-shop to apply for financial aid offered by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. Completing one application allows you to apply for over 25 scholarships. Students set up an online account and apply for the awards. Required documentation needs to be provided. Some scholarships have additional requirements, such as completing the FAFSA to qualify.

Fund My Future

Fund My Future is an outreach program meant to assist Arkansas students state-wide in achieving higher educational goals. The Arkansas Student Loan Authority sponsors it. The program is a resource of information about financial aid programs and college access. It is designed to serve students’ needs.

Requirements to Qualify for In-State Tuition

In Arkansas, the domicile period is six months instead of the one year that is standard in many other states. There are financial independence requirements, stringent domicile requirements, and overcoming the presumption the student is primarily in the state to attend college. The applicant must hold a job.

Each university has policies that have surprising ways to implement. Arkansas state schools are generally easier to attain in-state tuition than other state schools. As with any college, the burden of proof for obtaining in-state tuition lies with the student.

Arkansas is an Academic Common Market member that has a limited agreement among select Southern States for regional reciprocity. Favorable nearby in-state tuition rates are possible, but many restrictions apply. The degree sought must not be offered in a student’s state of residency.

The New Arkansan Non-Resident Award Scholarship is a benefit for U.S. students that makes fees and tuition more affordable. Eligible degree-seeking students are automatically granted coverage for most of the inequity between out-of-state and in-state tuition.

Arkansas Specific Teaching Certifications & Specializations

Students interested in teaching at community college can benefit from ASU’s sixth-year specialist degree in community college teaching. ASU also offers a doctorate of education, specialist in education and a mental health counseling certificate for those already in the professional but wishing to upgrade. HSU offers doctoral degrees and programs leading to doctorates in areas such as school counseling, sports management, technology leadership and special education, among others. Students can also find certificate programs aimed at earning certification at HSU.