Educator Preparation Programs

The programs leading to licensure in the SAU College of Education & Human Performance are designed to prepare students to apply for applicable licensure or certification in Arkansas. Completion of an SAU program may not meet education requirements for a license or certification in another state. Teacher licensure requirements vary according to state laws and may involve more than successful degree completion. Graduates who seek licensure may need to satisfy other requirements, such as:

• Applying for licensure and paying associated fees
• Submission of transcripts
• Completion and clearance of background check
• Passing of associated state licensure exams (e.g., content knowledge exam(s), pedagogy exam, basic skills tests)
• Years of professional experience

Students who successfully complete a program and all associated state licensure requirements are eligible to be recommended for Arkansas Educator Licensure. The following SAU programs are approved by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education and Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

• K-6 STEM Elementary Education (BSE)
• K-6 Elementary Education (BSE)
• Middle School Education (BSE)
• K-12 Physical Education and Health (BSE)
• BA in English with Education Minor
• BA in History: Social Studies Education option
• BA in Spanish with Education Minor
• BFA in Instrumental Music Education
• BFA in Vocal Music Education
• BS in Agricultural Education
• BS in Chemistry with Education Minor
• BS in Mathematics with Education Minor
• Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
• Master of Education in School Counseling K-12
• Master of Education in Special Education
• Master of Education in Educational Administration and Supervision
• Master of Education: Instructional Facilitator/LEAD Teacher
• Master of Science in Kinesiology – Coaching
• Master of Education in Library Media and Information Specialist P-12
• Principal Licensure P-12 Endorsement
• Program Administrator Endorsement
• Superintendent Licensure Endorsement
• Library Media and Information Specialist P-12 Endorsement
• Special Education K-12 Endorsement
• Special Education Resource K-6 Endorsement
• Special Education Resource 7-12 Endorsement
• Educational Examiner Endorsement

Students interested in obtaining a teaching license in another state should check with the applicable licensing authority in that state to ensure that SAU’s program meets the state’s education requirements for eligibility for licensure. Contact information for state departments of education can be found on the U.S. Department of Education website and are listed below. SAU makes every effort to ensure information about educational requirements for licensure or certification information is current; however, state requirements may change. If planning to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Arkansas, it is strongly recommended that the student contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements before beginning an academic program.

Please note, students enrolled in SAU’s educator preparation programs are only approved to participate in field experiences and/or clinical internships where they can meet all program requirements and complete all assessments using Arkansas Competencies and Arkansas Standards.

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The programs leading to licensure in the SAU College of Education are designed to prepare candidates to apply for applicable licensure or certification in Arkansas. Completion of an SAU program may not meet the requirements for a license or certification in another state. Counseling licensure requirements vary according to the Board of Counseling for each state.  Graduates who seek licensure may need to satisfy other requirements, such as:

• Applying for licensure and paying associated fees
• Submission of transcripts
• Completion and clearance of background check
• Passing of associated state licensure exams (e.g., National Counseling Exam (NCE))
• Supervised experience

Candidates interested in obtaining a  license as a professional counselor in another state should check with the applicable licensing authority in that state to ensure that SAU’s program meets the state’s education requirements for eligibility for licensure. Contact information for state counseling boards can be found on the are listed below. SAU makes every effort to ensure information about educational requirements for licensure is current; however, state requirements may change. If planning to pursue professional licensure in a state other than Arkansas, it is strongly recommended that the Candidate contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding licensure requirements before beginning an academic program.

Please note, candidates enrolled in SAU’s programs are only approved to participate in clinical internships where they can meet all program requirements and complete all assessments.

• Bachelor of Agricultural Education
• Bachelor of Mathematics with Education Minor

For the program listed above, please refer to the College of Education section.

Department of Engineering-Physics

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) is a 124-hour program that prepares students for a variety of careers in the engineering field.  Some employment may require eventual licensure.  Requirements for licensure vary from state to state.  In Arkansas, the Arkansas State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors issues and maintains licenses for Engineer Intern (EI) and Professional Engineer (PE).  The requirements in Arkansas for the Engineer Intern (EI) are as follows:  

Proof of graduation from an Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (EAC of ABET) approved, or equivalent, engineering curriculum; AND verification of passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. 

The requirements in Arkansas for the Professional Engineer (PE) are as follows:

• Proof of graduation from an Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (EAC of ABET) approved, or equivalent, engineering curriculum;
• Verification of passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam;
• 4 years of satisfactory experience after graduation and
• Be admitted and pass the Principles of Engineering (PE) exam.

The Department of Engineering-Physics offers curriculum that meets the educational requirements for licensure in Arkansas.

More information about the Fundaments of Engineering exam, the Professional Engineering exam and licensure process can be found at the Arkansas State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors.   

Other State Professional Engineering exam and Licensure requirements

SAU has not made a determination that its curriculum meets the educational requirements required of other states. If an individual is planning to seek professional licensure or certification, it is strongly recommended that the individual contact the appropriate licensing entity in the state in which he/she is located or plan to locate to in order to seek information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements.  

 State licensing Boards:

Department of Nursing

Southern Arkansas University (SAU) discloses that Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program will fulfill state educational requirements for professional RN licenses.

State licensing boards of nursing may require additional requirements beyond education (i.e. application and licensing fees, criminal background checks, fingerprint submissions, continuing education hours, etc.).  It is up to you to review and understand additional requirements prior to enrolling in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs.

State licensing boards may change requirements depending on current trends and issues in nursing practice.  Therefore, it is recommended you inquire with the applicable state board of nursing to confirm eligibility for licensure prior to enrolling in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs.  We encourage you to contact the licensing board directly of the state should you have a question concerning requirements for licensure within that state.

Relocating to another state may affect your eligibility of requirements for licensure.  Contact the agency where you seek licensure before relocating to ensure you will be eligible for licensure in that state.

If you are relocating to another state, make sure you review the educational prerequisites for your intended state of licensure.  Make sure our BSN program educational requirements meet your desired state licensure requirements.  Use the agency contact information provided below to guide you in the review process for clarity of requirements.

SAU has not made a determination that its curriculum meets the education requirements for other state boards of nursing.  Students pursuing licensure should be aware of the specific requirements for each state.

Resources for students inquiring about educational requirements for professional licenses. 

 State licensing Boards:

• History – Social Studies Education
• Modern Languages – Spanish Education
• Modern Languages – English Education
• Performing Arts – Music Education (Vocal and Instrumental)

For the program listed above, please refer to the College of Education section.

Bachelor of Social Work

The program leading to licensure in the Dempsey College of Liberal and Performing Arts is the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW).  The degree allows the practicing social worker to become eligible for professional licensing in Arkansas. To obtain their licensure, students must pass the LSW Exam administered by the Association Social Work Boards. It should be noted that licensure is not required for a BSW graduate to work as a general social worker under the direct supervision of a licensed social worker in Arkansas.

Completion of the BSW program at SAU may not meet licensure requirements in another state. Social work licensure requirements vary according to state laws and may involve more than successful degree completion. Graduates who seek licensure may need to satisfy other requirements, such as:

• Applying for licensure and paying associated fees
• Submission of transcripts
• Completion and clearance of background check
• Passing of associated state licensure exams
• Years of professional experience

Students interested in obtaining a social work license in another state should check with the applicable licensing authority in that state to ensure that SAU’s program meets the state’s requirements for eligibility for licensure. The Social Work Guide provides information about the social work field and more specifically the licensing requirements for each state.

The Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in Accounting is a 120-hour program that prepares students for a variety of careers in the accounting field. The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure is not required for employment as an accountant but may be an expectation in many firms offering accounting services to the public.

Requirements for the CPA exam and licensure vary from state to state, but all states require a bachelor’s degree plus additional hours to reach 150 credit hours to be eligible for CPA licensure. Some states, including Arkansas, may allow students to sit for the CPA exam (but not obtain licensure) before the completion of 150 hours. Other requirements may include specific coursework, work experience, ethics exams, references, and/or residency. States also have additional requirements, including Continuing Professional Education (CPE), for license renewal.

The Rankin College of Business offers curriculum that meets the educational requirements for CPA licensure in Arkansas.

To qualify to sit for the CPA Exam in Arkansas, students must:

• Complete 120 hour Bachelor degree with at least 30 hours of business classes or graduate degree with at least 20 hours of business classes. Must make a “C” or higher grade in all classes.
• Complete 30 hours of accounting above Principles classes or complete 20 hours of graduate accounting classes. Classes must cover: financial accounting, management accounting, governmental and not-for profit accounting, federal taxation, auditing, accounting information systems.  Must make a “C” or higher grade in all classes.

Additional needs for certification license in Arkansas

• Complete 30 hours to reach 150 hours of classes
• Complete at least 2,000 hours of work in an accounting type of service

More information about the CPA exam and licensure process can be found at the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy website. 

Other State CPA exam and Licensure requirements

SAU has not made a determination that its curriculum meets the educational requirements required of other states. Students pursuing CPA licensure should be aware of the specific requirements for each state.

Here are resources for students exploring CPA licensure in other states.

Overview: https://www.becker.com/cpa-review/requirements

State licensing boards: