Education Graduate Certificates

With such a high demand for state teaching jobs, there has never been a better time to become a teacher or advance your current teaching skills. Explore the five graduate certificates in UA Little Rock’s School of Education.

Graduate Certificate in Education

Our graduate certificate in education will open the door to exciting new career opportunities. In less than a year, you can gain the experience necessary to become a full-time educator. This 21-hour graduate certificate is designed for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in a qualifying specialty area, but are looking to gain credentials in the field of education. Completion of the program will prepare qualified students for teaching licensure in Arkansas.

Teach While You Attend Class

You must pass Praxis Subject Assessments in order to receive your provisional teaching licensure. Once you have a provisional license, you can teach while you take classes. All courses, with the exception of SCED 7601 Internship, are available online.

To be considered for the provisional license, a candidate must meet the following criteria:

  • Admitted to the UA Little Rock Graduate School and the School of Education
  • In good standing in an educational program of study and continually take classes in your program of study
  • Pass the Praxis Subject Assessments
  • Complete and clear background checks (State Police, FBI, and Child Maltreatment Central Registry), and complete the ProEthica training
  • Complete the application for the provisional license
  • Secure an offer of employment from a school approved by the Arkansas Department of Education as a provisional licensure site

Admission Requirements

Education Curriculum


Graduate Certificate in Learning Systems Technology Education

Educational technologists analyze problems in all aspects of human learning; they revise, implement, evaluate, and manage solutions to those problems. The Learning Systems Technology Education (LSTE) certificate prepares students in the field of instructional design and technology for careers in public schools, community colleges, higher education, business, military, and other facilities.

The 18-hour program provides graduates a greater understanding of the dynamic interactions between content, pedagogy, and technology. It also fulfills the core requirements for those wanting to move on to the M.Ed. in LSTE. This program is fully online.

Accreditation: The program goals are based on the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Standards for Basic Endorsement in Educational Computing and Technology Literacy and the ISTE Standards for Advanced Programs in Educational Computing and Technology Leadership.

UA Little Rock is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, affiliated with the Electronic Campus of the Southern Regional Education Board, and designated as “doctoral/research intensive” by the Carnegie Foundation.

Admission Requirements

LSTE Curriculum


Advance Your Teaching Career

These three graduate certificates (dyslexia, gifted and talented education, and literacy coaching) are an excellent way to advance your current teaching career. Students must hold, or be qualified to hold, a valid teaching license.

Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia

The Dyslexia Graduate Certificate is a 12-credit-hour post-baccalaureate program designed for teachers to earn an add-on endorsement by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) in dyslexia. This certificate meets ADE competencies defined by Arkansas law as provided in ACT 1294 of 2013. Aligned with standards of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), the International Literacy Association (ILA), and the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC), this program provides teachers with the knowledge and skills to work effectively with students experiencing moderate to severe reading difficulties including dyslexia. This program is offered fully online.

Admission Requirements

Dyslexia Curriculum

The Dyslexia Graduate Certificate program curriculum includes the following courses:

Required Courses (12 hours)

  • READ 7367 – Teaching Children With Dyslexia
  • READ 7353 – Diagnosis of Reading Difficulties II
  • READ 7385 – Formative Assessment and Interventions for Children With
    Dyslexia
  • READ 7387 – Advanced Practicum for Dyslexia

Graduate Certificate in Gifted and Talented Education

The Graduate Certificate in Gifted and Talented Education is designed for teachers looking to develop creative teaching strategies for advanced learners in the K-12 setting. This program is perfect for educators at all levels: classroom teachers, guidance counselors, and administrators. This is a K-12 licensure attached to an existing license in general or special education. This program is offered both in a hybrid format and fully online.

Admission Requirements


Graduate Certificate in Literacy Coaching

The Literacy Coach Specialist Graduate Certificate is an 18-credit-hour post-master’s program. The certificate prepares the reading specialist for the unique role of literacy coach in today’s schools. Aligned with the International Reading Association Standards for Reading Professionals, the program focuses on three major areas: instruction, assessment, and leadership. An emphasis is placed on supervising and coordinating a school’s literacy program, including providing professional development, coaching teachers, designing curriculum, teaching struggling readers, and conducting research on literacy and school change. The courses for the Literacy Coaching Graduate Certificate can be applied toward an advanced degree in reading education.

Admission Requirements

Literacy Curriculum


Our education programs are led by talented faculty with diverse backgrounds and experiences in teaching, learning, assessment, research, and educational policy. Please reach out to us to learn more about these graduate certificates.

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