Become a Teacher
in Arkansas
Certification Roadmap
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Arkansas Prerequisite Coursework
Arkansas Teacher Preparation
Arkansas Certification Reciprocity
Arkansas Teacher Salary
Arkansas Required Tests
Teacher Certification Information & Links
Arkansas Highlights
$43380
Avg. Elementary Teacher Salary
$45770
Avg. Secondary Teacher Salary
139%
Teacher Salary vs. State Average
15
Vacation Weeks Per Year:
To become a certified teacher in Arkansas, you will need to fulfill all prerequisite coursework, teacher preparation, and testing requirements.
Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible, and we are dedicated to updating the site with new information on a regular basis. To stay up-to-date with the latest in teacher certification, please complete the form in the right sidebar.
Arkansas Prerequisite Coursework
All states require that certified teachers at a minimum have a Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas. Arkansas, however, does not have any undergraduate credit hour requirements.
This page is sponsored by MAT@USC, an innovative Master of Arts in Teaching program delivered online from the University of Southern California. Click here to learn more and become a teacher in Arkansas.
Arkansas Teacher Preparation
Teacher preparation includes the completion of an accredited teacher education program.
Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often includes instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (or the art and science of teaching), and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship.
Alternative Certification
Graduates of accredited colleges or universities whose bachelor’s degree was not in education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. Information about alternative certification in Arkansas is coming soon!
Arkansas Certification Reciprocity
Arkansas will accept some teaching credentials from the following states. Contact the Arkansas Department of Educationto inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.
| Alabama | Arizona | California | Colorado |
| Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia |
| Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana |
| Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine |
| Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Mississippi |
| Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada |
| New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York |
| North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma |
| Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina |
| South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah |
| Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia |
| Wisconsin | Wyoming |
Arkansas Teacher Salary
- Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: Arkansas provides differential pay for teachers teaching in high needs schools and for teachers teaching in shortage subject areas
- Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: Arkansas has strong induction policies in place
- Average Elementary Teacher Salary: The average elementary school teacher in Arkansas makes $43,380
- Average Secondary Teacher Salary: The average secondary teacher in Arkansas makes $45,770
- Teacher Salary vs. State Average Salary: The average teacher in Arkansas makes 139% of the salary of the average worker in Arkansas
- Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: The average teacher in Arkansas receives 15 weeks of vacation per year
