2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
College of Education and Human Performance
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Dr. Kim Bloss, Interim Dean
The College of Education and Human Performance consists of the following departments and service areas:
- Admissions, Field Experience, and Licensure (AFEL)
- The Department of Teacher Education
- The Department of Counseling and Professional Studies (see Graduate Catalog)
- The Department of Human Performance and Sport Sciences
- The SAU Educational Renewal Zone
College Mission Statement
The College of Education and Human Performance, guided by the University’s vision and mission, primarily meets the needs of candidates who come from communities in south central and southwest Arkansas, but also serves candidates from the across state, nation, and world. Candidates are served through the College’s teaching, research, service, and outreach programs. Our aim is to ensure that all College of Education and Human Performance candidates develop the ability to be creative and critical thinkers who are able to make appropriate decisions relative to their professional roles and responsibilities as citizens of a democratic nation and a global community.
Mission of the Educator Provider Program
Every candidate comes with a purpose: to become an educator. To support them in actualizing that purpose, we promise to provide exceptional preparation so candidates will be ready to fill that role when they complete their program.
Vision: We envision a world where educators inspire students, value the uniqueness of all learners and are dedicated to transforming lives for a better tomorrow.
Mission: We strive to prepare professional educators who enter the workforce with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to meet the needs of students in 21st-century schools and communities.
Teacher Education Preparation Program
The College of Education and Human Performance is the CAEP-approved unit for the Educator Preparation Programs (EPP) and teacher licensure at Southern Arkansas University. Pathways for pre-candidates during their first two years include a Certificate of Proficiency in Education and an Associate of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education, Associate of Science in Middle School Education, or an Associate of Science in Secondary Education. The EPP also offers a Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) with majors in Elementary Education K-6, Middle School Education, and Physical Education and Health K-12. Also offered are licensure pathways in Secondary Agriculture, English, Math, Music, Social Studies, and Spanish. Music also offers licensure preparation programs in K-12 vocal and K-12 instrumental music. Additionally, endorsements in Coaching and Special Education Resource are also available. The Dempsey College of Liberal and Performing Arts offers a certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language.
Candidates should, however, be aware that revisions in the State of Arkansas licensure guidelines could result in changes that are not reflected in the catalog. Candidates must consult regularly with their advisors to ensure appropriate program completion.
In addition, the College of Education and Human Performance offers the Bachelors of Science (BS) degree in Exercise Science and Sports Management.
Graduate Programs
Graduate programs within the College of Education and Human Performance are detailed in the SAU Graduate Catalog.
Accreditations
The Education Preparation Providers Unit (EPP) at Southern Arkansas University is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation Educator Preparation (CAEP), www.caepnet.org. This accreditation covers initial programs and advanced programs at SAU. However, the accreditation does not include individual education courses that the institution offers to P-12 educators for professional development, re-licensure, or other purposes. CAEP - the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation, 1140 19th Street Northwest, Suite 400; Washington, DC 20036; (202) 223-0077.
Assessment
The Educator Preparation Provider (EPP) has an assessment system to ensure candidate development and high quality programming. Throughout the duration of the program, the candidate completes several assessments aligned to critical competencies and dispositions for program completion.
EPP Admissions Process
Pre-candidates who plan to follow educator preparation programs must, in consultation with their advisor, submit a formal application for admission. Applicants should work closely with a College of Education and Human Performance advisor to determine when to apply. All application requirements must be completed when the application is filed. Students transferring to SAU will need to apply for admission to the University and also apply, when eligible, to the EPP.
Conditional and Unconditional EPP Admissions Criteria
Candidates can apply for conditional or unconditional admission to the EPP when eligible. Candidates must work with their advisor to apply. A candidate does not have to apply for conditional admission if they meet all requirements for unconditional admission.
For a candidate to enroll in EPP coursework they must, at minimal, be admitted conditionally. A successful criminal background check must be submitted in order to complete any EPP field-based courses. Failure to pass a successful criminal background check will result in the student being withdrawn from the field-based course(s).
For more information on the full admissions policy for conditional and unconditional admission, visit the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tRoT0XimBlepI1baFgzvg_uWIyiMHEHe/view?usp=sharing
Application for Yearlong Residency
To apply for residency, candidates must be conditionally or unconditionally admitted to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) and have no outstanding Professional Competencies violations. Candidates will work with their advisor to learn about the options for residency, application deadlines, and the link to the application. Candidates are notified of their placement by the Site Coordinator Team at SAU. For questions regarding residency, candidates should consult an education advisor.
Residency II Requirements
Before enrollment in Residency II, candidates must show proof of registration for all content and pedagogy exams required by the program and for licensure (e.g., Praxis Content, Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching, Foundations of Reading). Candidates must provide this proof to their advisor before course registration.
Additionally, candidates must be unconditionally admitted to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) and be in good standing regarding Professional Competencies.
EPP Professional Responsibilities
The Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Rules Governing Educator Licensure requires candidates to complete specific trainings during the program of study and prior to licensure. The required trainings are as follows:
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The Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators (Act 294 of 2017)
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Mandated Reporting Obligations (Ark. Code Ann. § 6-61-133)
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Family and Community Engagement (Ark. Code Ann. §6-15-1705)
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Mental Health Awareness and Teen Suicide Prevention (Ark. Code Ann. §6- 17-708)
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Dyslexia and Related Disorders Identification (Ark. Code Ann. § 6-41-609)
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Human Trafficking Awareness (Ark. Code Ann. §6-17-710)
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Arkansas History (Ark. Code Ann. §6-17-703)
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K-6, middle school social studies, & secondary social studies must include three (3) college credit hours at an accredited institution of higher education.
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All other licensure areas must complete two (2) hours of Arkansas History through ArkansasIDEAS.
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Science of Reading (SOR) instruction (Act 416 of 2017 & Act 1063 of 2017)
Requirements for Arkansas Teacher Licensure
Candidates will not be eligible for the standard license until all licensure requirements and pedagogical assessments have been met. Elementary Education and Special Education candidates must also pass the Foundations of Reading exam.
Graduation from Southern Arkansas University does not guarantee Arkansas Teacher Licensure. All Arkansas teaching licenses are issued by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
During Residency II, candidates will be provided with instructions to complete the standard licensure paperwork. After graduation and after the degree (citing major and second teaching field if applicable) is posted on the transcript, the licensure officer will sign off on standard licenses for candidates that meet the qualifications. For questions regarding licensure, contact the chair of the Department of Teacher Education.
Minimum Requirements for Education Undergraduate Certificate Program
Below are the minimum requirements for the Education Undergraduate Certificate Programs.
- Transcript will reflect “Undergraduate Certificate in Education”
- Courses required in the program are as follows:
- The minimum number of credits required for the certificate are nine.
- To receive an education certificate, a student must have a minimum 3.00 grade point average (GPA) on all certificate coursework.
- The minimum grade to receive certificate credit is B.
- Transfer credit from other institutions is allowed for one course in the education certificate for the general education requirement. The education courses must be taken through SAU.
- All certificate requirements must be completed within six (6) calendar years, beginning with the date the student commences courses applicable to the education certificate.
Classification of Certificate Students
Students who are pursuing a certificate while also pursuing an undergraduate degree will be classified as degree-seeking students. Students who are pursuing a certificate while not enrolled in a degree-program will be classified as non-degree seeking students.
Transferring GCP Courses to an Undergraduate Degree Program
Course credit from the education certificate can be applied toward an education degree program. Certificate programs can be included within or added to existing degrees. Students can use the same course to earn both a certificate and an undergraduate degree as long as the requirements for both have been fulfilled.
Certificate Completion Process
It is the responsibility of the student to meet with the certificate program advisor during the last semester of certificate coursework to determine that all requirements for completion have been met. It is also the responsibility of the student to apply for the certificate by the established deadline as explained below.
Once certificate program requirements are completed, a student can request a certificate. To receive a completed certificate, a student must:
- Complete all admission and course requirements for the certificate. Note: Students must maintain a 3.00 grade point average (GPA) in the certificate coursework to be eligible for completion.
- Complete the Undergraduate Program Certificate Completion Form
- Submit the completed form to the program advisor by the following deadlines:
- Form submitted no later than September 1st for the fall semester
- Form submitted no later than February 1st for the spring semester
- Form submitted by May 1st for summer sessions
The program advisor will:
- Confirm the satisfactory completion of certificate course requirements.
- Sign the completion form and attach a degree audit.
- Send the signed form and degree audit to the Teacher Education Chair.
Once the form is submitted, the Teacher Education Chair will:
- Notify the SAU Office of the Registrar of completion so that the student’s transcripts can be updated.
The SAU Education Renewal Zone is designed to support schools, school leadership, education service cooperatives, institutions of higher education, and communities participating with the Education Renewal Zone (ERZ) in the delivery of the quality education needed to assist students in attaining the performance levels set forth by the State of Arkansas and as defined by the Federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
Participating regional school districts plus the Southwest and South Central Education Service Cooperatives and Southern Arkansas University have entered into an inter-local agreement through which they jointly collaborate to improve public school performance and academic achievement. This inter-local agreement establishes an ERZ with the purpose of achieving the following requirements:
- Identify and implement education and management strategies designed specifically to improve public school performance and student academic achievement.
- Provide for collaboration among the state’s smaller schools and districts in order to achieve some of the advantages of economies of scale in providing educational and related activities.
- Maximize benefits and outcomes of public schooling by concentrating and coordinating the resources of Arkansas’ higher education institutions, the expertise of the regional education service cooperatives, and the technical assistance of other service providers to improve public school performance and student academic achievement.
- Enable small, rural, and low-wealth schools to make the best use of the latest cost-effective distance learning technology to enhance curricula and professional development through two-way interactive learning environments.
For more information regarding the Education Renewal Zone and related services, please contact the director of ERZ directly in Cross Hall 223 or call (870) 235-5014.
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