Education, Initial Licensure Track, M.Ed.

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Master of Education in Education

The Master of Education in Education provides proficiency in professional education, curriculum and instruction, teaching skills, and a teaching specialty. Two tracks are offered within the master’s degree program: the initial licensure track, and the provisional initial licensure track.

Admission Requirements

Please also see specific admission requirements for the Initial Licensure track and the subject advisor for content area-specific admissions requirements.

Regular Admission Criteria

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, or
Grade point average 3.0 in the content major, or
Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

Conditional Admission

Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution; a cumulative undergraduate GPA of no lower than a 2.5; and a General Record Exam (GRE) score of at least 144 on the Verbal Scale, 141 on the Quantitative Scale, and 3.5 on the Analytical Writing Scale, or
Completion of at least 12 semester hours of graduate course work in another UALR graduate program or graduate program from another regionally accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and no grade lower than a B.

Retention Requirements for Both Tracks

Once admitted, students are required to maintain a 3.0 grade point average with at least a grade of B in all Education (TCED OR SCED) courses. This includes all courses associated with the licensure/degree plan. In addition, the student’s professional behavior, content knowledge, and classroom performance will be evaluated throughout the program.

Successful completion of the licensure program is not based solely on the number of course credits but requires demonstration of specified professional knowledge, skills, behaviors, and dispositions. Once the student has begun the program, periodic evaluations will assess progress. Failure to progress satisfactorily might result in a student being removed from the program. While a student may require additional time to meet some performance expectations, the faculty may limit that time and reserves the right to drop a student from the licensure program should appropriate progress not be demonstrated.

Initial Licensure Track Admission Requirements

(In addition to the requirements for regular or conditional admission)

Baccalaureate or equivalent degree in one of the following teaching specialty areas: art; drama; speech; English language arts; life/earth science; physical/earth science; mathematics; music; business technology; social studies; health and physical education, music, art, or foreign language; subject to areas approved by the Arkansas Department of Education.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores as required by the Graduate School. Please note: If you are applying for conditional admission to the Initial licensure Track because your grade point average is lower than a 2.75 (but no lower than a 2.5), you must take the Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing sections of the GRE.
Praxis CORE scores of 150 in mathematics, 156 in reading, and 162 in writing.
Candidates who have completed the baccalaureate degree and lack no more than 12 hours in the specialty area may be admitted to the program and may complete deficiencies concurrently with a master’s program.
Interview with faculty.

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 Defense Program 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.

Initial Licensure Track

The initial licensure track in Education is for those who have a baccalaureate (BA, BS) degree from an accredited institution with a major in a subject area taught in secondary schools and who want to prepare to be teachers. This track leads to licensure in a teaching specialty. All courses are offered online or in the evening. Some courses require a field placement in a local school.

Title II definitions now require that program completers pass required assessments in addition to completion of the courses on the student’s degree plan. Students in the initial licensure track of the M.Ed. in Secondary Education are required to pass state required Praxis II assessments as of spring 2001.

Initial Licensure Track Program Requirements

Initial Licensure Track Graduation Requirements

A minimum of 36 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

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