Arkansas Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs
Alternative teacher preparation programs, or non-traditional programs, are designed for those with a bachelor’s degree outside of education and typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, visit our guide to traditional certification in Arkansas. If you do have a bachelor’s degree, there are multiple routes for earning Arkansas alternative teacher certification. These routes typically allow candidates who meet basic requirements to accept employment as a classroom teacher while fulfilling the requirements for an initial license. Continue reading to learn more about these alternative pathways.
Table of Contents
- Arkansas Alternative Certification Requirements
- Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses
- Testing Requirements
- Licenses From Another State
- Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs
- Best Alternative Certification Programs
- Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
- Additional Resources
Requirements for Alternative Certification
The minimum educational requirement for alternative teacher certification in Arkansas is a bachelor’s degree. Some pathways to licensure have minimum GPA and content area coursework requirements. It usually takes at least one year to complete the alternative certification program, which in most cases will lead to professional licensure in the state.
Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Arkansas
Alternative teacher certification pathways in Arkansas may lead to the issuance of a post-graduate certificate, professional certification, or a master’s degree in teaching, education, or a core subject that includes an approved certification program. These programs are typically designed for those with degrees in non-education subjects.
Arkansas Professional Educator Pathway (ArPEP) to Educator Licensure
The Arkansas Professional Educator Pathway (ArPEP), formerly APPEL, is an alternative route that takes two years to complete, allowing candidates to actively work as a classroom teacher while completing the pathway requirements needed to obtain a standard Arkansas teaching license. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and pass the Praxis basic skills and subject-area exams for their grade level and subject areas. While teaching, candidates are mentored and participate in online instruction. The program leads to Arkansas and National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification. Note that applications for the ArPEP pathway are only accepted from March through May each year.
Arkansas Teacher Corps (ATC)
The Arkansas Teacher Corps (ATC) is an accelerated program that places applicants in full-time teaching positions in high-need areas for three years. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree with a 2.75 or above GPA. High-achieving applicants are preferred for this route, which begins with an intensive seven-week summer training institute and leads to standard licensure after a three-year teaching commitment. For further details, visit the ATC website.
iTeach Arkansas
iTeach Arkansas is a self-paced, 100% online licensure pathway consisting of seven online courses taken over one to two years. Candidates must find employment as a teacher in an Arkansas school before completing a one-year paid residency. Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher with a minimum 2.5 GPA, complete the online course TCAR 5000, pass the Praxis Subject Test for their grade level and subject area, and pass a background check. More information can be found on the iTeach website.
Non-Traditional Master’s Degree Route
The master’s degree leading to a first-time license route allows teacher candidates pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Education (M.Ed.), or Master of Education, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership (MTLL) degree to earn certification. This pathway is available through select Arkansas colleges and universities only. Certain programs allow candidates to teach while completing the required coursework. To review available programs and learn more, visit the DESE website.
Provisional Professional Teaching License (PPTL)
Candidates with at least three years of full-time experience in a teachable subject may follow this route to teach a subject area related to their professional field. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and be employed in an Arkansas public school. Upon acceptance to the program, passing the appropriate Praxis content knowledge test, and completing 12 hours of professional training in pedagogy each year of licensure, candidates will be issued a Professional Teaching Permit.
Testing Requirements for Arkansas Alternative Certification
Arkansas teacher licensure candidates must pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam, which assesses basic academic skills in core subjects. This is typically taken before applying to a preparation program. Candidates must also take the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) and the Praxis Subject Tests for the endorsement area sought.
Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State
For experienced teachers with out-of-state certification, Arkansas educator certificate reciprocity is based on individual evaluation. Basic eligibility requirements include a bachelor’s degree, completion of a teacher preparation program, and passing scores on the Praxis exams for educators. A provisional license may be issued if the candidate does not meet the content or testing requirements. For more information see our guide to teacher certification reciprocity or read more on the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) website.
Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Arkansas
To qualify for teacher certification, you must complete an approved teacher preparation program. Alternative route teacher licensing programs typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. The not-for-profit, school-based alternative certification programs below have been approved by the DESE for the preparation of teachers.
| State-Approved School | Accreditation | Program Type(s) | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment4 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers4 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate4 | Net Price5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State University | CAEP | Master’s | 26 | 7 | N.Av. | $14,275 |
| Arkansas Tech University* | CAEP | Alternative, Master’s | 121 | 20 | 85% | $11,277 |
| Harding University* | — | Alternative, Master’s | 140 | 61 | 98% | $19,454 |
| Henderson State University* | — | Alternative, Master’s | 158 | 40 | 98% | $14,046 |
| John Brown University | — | Master’s | 44 | 10 | 100% | $21,578 |
| Southern Arkansas University* | CAEP | Master’s | 128 | 44 | 95% | $13,561 |
| University of Arkansas at Fayetteville | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $16,759 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock* | — | Alternative, Master’s | 98 | 27 | 96% | $12,235 |
| University of Arkansas at Monticello* | — | Alternative, Master’s | 177 | 28 | 54% | $11,967 |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff* | CAEP | Alternative, Master’s | 1 | 1 | N.Av. | $10,684 |
| University of Central Arkansas* | CAEP | Alternative, Master’s | 271 | 74 | 95% | $16,048 |
| Williams Baptist University | CAEP | Alternative, Master’s | 30 | 5 | N.Av. | $16,646 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
- *Schools with an asterisk offer programs that can include paid classroom placements, subject to qualifications and experience. Students may be responsible for securing their own placement. Contact programs for further information.
Best Alternative Teacher Certification Programs in Arkansas
We used overall pass rates on the teacher licensing exams to identify the best alternative teacher certification programs in Arkansas. The following schools all reported 98% or above pass rates for alternative and master’s program graduates.
- John Brown University (Master’s, 100%)
- Harding University (Alternative, Master’s, 98%)
- Henderson State University (Alternative, Master’s, 98%)4
Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for teacher certification in Arkansas based on the shortest possible time to completion. The shortest alternative certification programs are often the most affordable because they require fewer credit hours. Check with programs to verify program costs and funding opportunities.
- Arkansas State University (12 months)
- Harding University (12 months)
- Henderson State University (12 months)
- Southern Arkansas University (12 months)
- University of Arkansas at Fayetteville (12 months)
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock (12 months)
- University of Arkansas at Monticello (12 months)
- Williams Baptist University (12 months)
Additional Resources
- Approved Educator Preparation Programs in Arkansas: List of approved educator preparation programs in Arkansas.
- DESE Routes to Educator Licensure in Arkansas: Overview of acceptable routes to licensure provided by DESE.
Related Articles
- Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
- Arkansas Traditional Teacher Certification Guide
- Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide
References:
1. Arkansas State Education Agency: https://tea.texas.gov/
2. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
3. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
4. US Department of Education 2021 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
5. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/