Arkansas Alternative Teacher Certification Program

 

MathTrack Institute offers an innovative, self-paced alternative certification program for those with a bachelor's aiming to become licensed 4-8 and 7-12 math teachers. This supportive program guides you through every step to become a math teacher in Arkansas.

 
 
Transition to teaching program

Arkansas teacher certification can be complicated. But it doesn’t have to be.

Pursuing teaching licensure on your own can be daunting. How is an alternative certification program different from an education degree? How long does it take to get a license? What kind of license do you need to earn?

The good news? You're in the right place. MathTrack is the only math-specific licensure pathway in the US and we are here to help you answer these questions and more. 

How to Become a Math Teacher in Arkansas

MathTrack Institute's Alternative Certification Program merges digital curriculum with practical, job-specific instruction, providing a comprehensive pathway to math teacher licensure and teaching excellence.
Pana Style Advantages

1) Earn your Bachelor's Degree.

A Bachelor's degree in any field of study from a regionally accredited institute of higher education will work with a minimum of 2.5 GPA. No, you don't need a bachelor's in education or math to become a certified math teacher in Arkansas through our alternative certification program!

2) Pass the content assessment.

Before being officially admitted into an alternative certification program, you must first pass the content exam for the subject you wish to teach. MathTrack Institute provides a variety of test supports (including Praxis 5164 and 5165 preparation!)

3) Complete a Teacher Certification Program, including residency

Engage with your teacher certification program's required coursework to build the essential teaching skills you’ll need. In Arkansas, completing a two-semester residency is also a requirement to earn your teaching license.

4) Apply for Licensure.

The final step is to apply for your math teaching certificate! Then enjoy being the life-changing math teacher you've always wanted to be!

Online learning pana
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“This is a life-changing opportunity for me. I wasn’t sure I could teach math, but with MathTrack I’m now leading all Middle School classes in my school.”

— Erica Baker, MathTrack Candidate Teacher (Previously a substitute teacher)

 

Why choose MathTrack's Arkansas Certification Program?

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Learn from leading experts in math education.

MathTrack is dedicated to the improvement of the math education space, including solving the math teacher shortage. We specialize in math because the subject requires unique skills and solutions that are often missed in general education training. Our team is dedicated to serving math educators through specialized training, innovation, and strategies that can be adapted to your needs. You can read more about our approach to training and related research in our blog.

Get support to pass licensure tests during the program.

It is common for transition to teaching or other alternative certification programs to require the passing of these tests before enrollment, leaving you to tackle one of the biggest barriers to licensure on your own. MathTrack is with you every step of the way, including preparing for, scheduling, and taking licensure exams. MathTrack support provides practice tests, personalized advising, content tutoring, and more while you are enrolled in our teacher training. 

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Complete residency at the school you want to work at.

An in-class experience is a licensure requirement in most states, and with MTI you can complete your residency at the school of your choice. Classroom observations will be performed by mentor teachers and administrators at your school and there is flexibility in the types of courses and students you can teach during this phase of the program. 

Online courses mean you can make progress anytime, and anywhere.

Whether it be working full time, taking care of your family, or other responsibilities, MathTrack knows you're busy. That is why our program is accessible online, and self-paced, making it possible to complete coursework during prep periods, evenings, or whenever you have the time. 

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Explore MathTrack's Arkansas Teacher Certification Program

Arkansas Enrollment
Enrollment 
 
Kick off the licensure process with our free 15-minute MathTrack application. 
 
You'll need to turn in an official college transcript as part of the enrollment process and  MathTrack experts will reach out to ensure this program is a good fit for you. We will also work with you to identify possible funding sources to cover as many program costs as possible.
 
Note that you may begin the program under provisional enrollment prior to passing a math content test.
 
*Please note that you must pass either the 5164 or 5165 Mathematics Praxis test before being officially accepted into the program.
Arkansas Pre-Residency

Pre-Residency Courses

This phase includes 3 courses, which covers the essential information you need before you are eligible for residency. Like all MathTrack programs, these courses are self-paced and available online, but it is recommended to set aside at least 10 hours a week for 4 weeks to ensure you are on track to complete the whole program within 15 months. You can expect classroom safety requirements, such as mandatory reporting, and CPR to be turned in during this phase, along with essential classroom management skills for new teachers.

Arkansas Mathematics

Mathematics

This phase includes both a mathematics course and taking the Praxis 5164 (middle school) and/or 5165 (secondary) test.


Some programs require candidates to study for, and take the math licensure test, the Praxis 5164 or 5165, all on their own.

Arkansas Residency

Residency

This phase involves working with a mentor teacher and teaching real students at your school. MathTrack will work with you to draft a residency plan once you complete pre-residency courses. The Arkansas residency must be completed in back-to-back, consecutive semesters. You cannot start mid-semester.

An Arkansas-based qualified teacher will serve as your mentor throughout your residency.

Arkansas Pedagogy

Pedagogy Courses

Either during or around residency there are several other courses you will need to complete as part of the MathTrack program. These self-paced courses cover deeper pedagogy knowledge such as classroom data, student engagement strategies and more. 

Arkansas licensure pathway

Graduation

Once you have completed all previous program requirements, including residency and state tests you will be eligible to apply for graduation. MathTrack will verify your work and help you apply for licensure.

Additional licensure program information

Credits and degree details

This program is a non-credit-bearing, non-degree-issuing program designed for those who already have a degree and are working toward meeting state licensure requirements.

Acceptance Eligibility

MathTrack Transition to Teaching can only accept candidates with an existing bachelor's degree, but your degree does not have to be in math.

During enrollment we will ask for a copy of your official transcript. MathTrack reviews these transcripts to check that your degree is in fact finished, you have a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and the degree-issuing institution is locally accredited. If you are concerned about your degree meeting these expectations feel free to contact us to learn more. If there is anything MathTrack can do to help you get licensed, we will do our best find a way.

Program costs

Tuition costs are $5,000 per candidate. Additionally, candidates are responsible for 3rd party fees to cover costs such as test fees.

Program Length

The MathTrack Transition to Teaching program was designed to be completed in 15 months (i.e. Two summers and a school year). This is so you have time to complete online coursework prepare for tests, and meet residency requirements. However, every candidate is different and the program is ultimately self-paced. This means that:

  • There are no due dates for coursework, but MathTrack may send you reminders or nudges to help keep you motivated.
  • Program milestones will unlock automatically as you complete coursework.
  • Residencies can begin at the start of the semester after your residency plan is approved.
  • You can prepare for and take licensure exams anytime during the program.
Transition to Teaching candidate

 

“I feel like you all took everything I was trying to learn about teaching math on my own and put it into one program!"

 

— Natural Baptiste, Educator

Common Questions

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to contact us!

What are the admission requirements? Who is and is not eligible?

If you have a regionally-accredited bachelor’s degree, you can be provisionally enrolled in the Arkansas Alternative Certification Program. Upon the completion of the math content exam you will receive full acceptance status. 

What actually happens in the program?

MathTrack is a combined Transition to Teaching program and digital curriculum platform that provides job-specific instruction, licensure and blended-learning tools to train you to be an effective math teacher. Within that, you’ll get

  • Virtual, self-paced, online classes

  • Videos, modules/lessons, online assignments, interactive discussions

  • Support from community of fellow educators

  • Support and interaction with instructors

  • Real world practice along with online training (on the job training/ apprenticeship)

  • Support from content experts in learning math


Proprietary sequencing of mathematical concepts to help you learn the math you will need to know to be an effective math teacher in the shortest amount of time possible!

What support will I have along the way?

You’ll have support from a number of different places! We have a great team of coaches, instructors and teaching assistants to help answer your questions, you will have access to the community of other aspiring teachers who are going through the program with you, and other resources like help centers, private math tutoring, teaching tools, and more.

Ultimately, the program is tailored to you! We help you set your learning goals to meet your needs, then set up a timeline to match your needs. We will help you “fill your back-pack” with all the tools you will need to be a successful teacher.

Is this program synchronous or asynchronous?
What tests do I need to pass? How many times can I take them?
Can I teach while enrolled?
What can I teach after I pass the licensure tests?

After you are licensed, you are now a full teacher! MathTrack is an Arkansas Department of Elementary and Secondary Education approved Education Preparation Program for Middle school (grades 4-8) and high secondary (grades 7-12) mathematics licensure.

What other costs are associated with the program?
What happens if I don't finish?

Your progress will be saved and you are more than welcome to pick it back up anytime in the future, should you be interested again. 

What does job placement look like after I complete the program?
How is MathTrack different than other Transition to Teaching programs?
Can I complete residency hours before I'm enrolled in the residency course? I've already been a teacher for a while.
What are the GPA requirements to be accepted?

While Arkansas has no GPA requirements to be in an Alternative Certification Program, MathTrack will review transcripts with a GPA under 2.5 on a case-by-case basis to ensure success.

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