Education, Middle Education Concentration, M.Ed.

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The Masters of Education, Middle Education Concentration is for earning initial licensure in teaching two of four major content areas in 4-8th grade (Middle School Math, Science, English Language Arts and/or Social Studies).

Admissions Requirements

Regular Admission

Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of at least
2.75 (4.0 scale), or
Grade point average of 3.0 for the last 60 hours of undergraduate courses

The UA Little Rock graduate level, first time licensure programs (MEd in Education, for all all
content areas, middle childhood, and special education licensure tracks and the Graduate
Certificate in Education content area licensure tracks) will accept as an admission exam:

ACT scores at or above a minimum
- Math 19
- Reading 19
- Writing 6 or English/Writing combined 19.

If an individual has taken the ACT multiple times, we will consider the highest score in
each category from those multiple exams.

SAT at or above the minimum
- Math 510 (Before 3/2016 = 470)
- Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 510 (Before 3/2016 Writing = Critical ReadingSeciton= 910)
- Writing 5 (Before 3/16 = No Equivalent)

If an individual has taken the SAT multiple times, we will consider the highest score in
each category from those multiple exams.

If a prospective student has ACT scores below the minimum score, or if they do not have ACT scores:

They may take the corresponding Accuplacer Next Generation exam or exams at the UALittle Rock Testing Center (testing services site: https://ualr.edu/testing/ and to the examregistration site https://www2.registerblast.com/ualr/Exam/List and must make at least a scorethat corresponds to the comparative ACT minimum score:
- Accuplacer WritePlacer a score of 5 = Comp I or ACT 19
- Next Gen Reading 253 = ACT 19
- Next Gen Math (Quantitative or College Algebra) 250 = ACT 19
They may choose to retake the ACT:
- ACT – Reading 19; Math 19; Writing 6 or English / Writing combined 19
Or, they may also choose to take one of the following exams:
- GRE – (after 2011) Verbal=142; Quantitative=142; Writing=3.5; (before 2011)Verbal=370; Quantitative=370; Writing=3.5
- Praxis Core – Reading 156; Math 150; Writing 162

Please Note: If a prospective student has taken the Praxis Core and not passed all sections, the
EPP will consider Praxis Core minimum scores (reading 156; math 150; writing 162) in conjunction with their ACT passed sections. If a prospective student has taken the PPST the EPP will consider PPST minimum scores of Reading 172, Math 171, and Writing 173. We are trying to be as inclusive as possible in our application process and we do understand that we need to consider other information for admission to one of our initial licensure
programs, such as:

the most important requirements for specific licensure (for example, math scores are not as crucial for an art teacher as they will be for a math teacher),
grades in certain courses (such as an A in a college level math course but a low score in the math exam),
performance on assignments in certain courses (good grades on intensive writing assignments despite a low score in writing), or
how close scores are to the minimum required score (for example, passing scores in reading and writing, and a score in math that is 1 point away from the minimum required score).

In these cases, there is a process for considering admission even if students do not meet the minimum requirements described above. If you still have questions about admission and this process, please contact, Bruce Smith, Director of the School of Education, bdsmith@ualr.edu, 501.569.3124 or 501.569.3367.

Legal Requirements Prior to Field or Internship Placements

Students who apply to the Education program must complete the following requirements and
submit documentation to the Field Placement Office in the College of Education and Health
Professions prior to field or internship placements:

Proof of liability insurance. This insurance is provided through the School Workers DefenseProgram or by joining the Student Arkansas Education Association (SAEA).
A negative tuberculosis test (Health card is available through the Arkansas Department of Health.)
Criminal records check: state civil record check must be completed and submitted to advisor.
Completion of the Criminal Background Disclosure

Before being recommended for licensure and placement, candidates must complete a criminal
records check, state civil record check, and FBI record check. The student is responsible for the
fees associated with these checks.

Program Requirements (33 hours)

Graduation Requirements

A minimum of 33 graduate credit hours with a GPA of at least 3.0
A portfolio accepted by committee
Passing scores on all Praxis II examinations required by the Arkansas Department of Education for Middle School Education (https://www.ets.org/praxis/ar/requirements/)