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 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.

Professional Licensure Disclosure for the Master of Science in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling

Licensure requirements for counseling vary by state, as determined by each state’s Board of Counseling. Graduates seeking licensure may be required to fulfill additional criteria, including but not limited to:

• Applying for licensure and paying associated fees
• Submission of official transcripts
• Completion and clearance of background checks
• Passing state-specific licensure exams (e.g., the National Counseling Exam (NCE))
• Completion of supervised experience hours

Candidates intending to obtain licensure as a professional counselor outside of Arkansas should consult the relevant licensing authority to verify that SAU’s program meets the educational requirements for licensure in that state. For your convenience, contact information for state counseling boards is provided below.

SAU strives to keep information about educational requirements for licensure current; however, state requirements are subject to change. If you plan to pursue professional licensure in a state other than Arkansas, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to obtain up-to-date information and guidance on licensure requirements before starting the counseling program.

Please be aware that candidates enrolled in SAU’s programs are only authorized to participate in clinical internships where all program requirements can be met.

For any questions regarding counseling licensure requirements in other states, please contact Mrs. Suzy Toms.

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

Department of Engineering-Physics

• 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.

Department of Nursing

• 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: