The ATU Certification Officer is Dr. David Bell.

An approved Arkansas Educator Licensure System approved background check is required as part of the College of Education and Health’s admission to Stage II. It is again required to obtain initial licensure in Arkansas. A background check used to obtain initial licensure can be no older than one year.

The University has an interest for providing additional opportunities for individuals to become highly qualified teachers in Arkansas. The Master of Arts in Teaching is a program of study to prepare candidates for teacher licensure in Arkansas. For additional information please contact our Department of Teaching and Educational Leadership 

The application for teacher licensure can be located on their web site here: https://aels.ade.arkansas.gov/Aels/Account/TeacherLogin.aspx

Students will be asked to attend a meeting typically the semester before they are scheduled to complete internship/residency. During this meeting our Teacher Education Student Services Director, will discuss applications and go over very important information. This meeting is mandatory, and students who do not attend will be unable to receive an application unless arrangements have been made with the Teacher Education Student Services Office. This meeting is announced on OneTech and/or email several weeks in advance.

Students will be assigned a portfolio reviewer during the first few weeks of their internship. Each student will be assigned a reviewer and will receive an e-mail with information on how to contact their reviewer. Reviewers are assigned through the Teacher Education Student Services Office. 

The cohort model is a collaborative effort with public school professionals to address issues surrounding placement, supervision, and the professional development of interns.The cohort addresses the university's increasing need for CPS mentors to supervise increasing numbers of teacher candidates.

• There are fewer campus-based faculty members available for supervision of the growing numbers of interns, especially at greater distances from campus.
• There is difficulty finding qualified personnel for hire as adjunct faculty semester after semester in all locations requesting placement.
• The use of a cohort CPS eliminates travel of adjunct faculty assigned multiple interns at multiple locations and concentrates time with a mentor on simultaneous professional development.
• Completion of the Formative Observation and Intervention Evaluations by the cohort CPS increases validity and reliability of supervisory training Pathwise trained; knowledgeable of unit conceptual framework, policies, and procedures; aware and supportive of induction process.