All candidates seeking admission to an initial licensure program must complete all parts of the background check process as a condition of admission. This process can take 3-4 weeks to complete. **Begin this process early to avoid delaying acceptance into the teacher education program.**
Click **[Admission and Licensure Background Checks](https://kb.astate.edu/attachments/1915)** to download a PDF copy of *detailed* background check instructions.
### Step 1 - [Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry Check](https://ardhs.formstack.com/forms/dcfs_central_registry_request_v2) 1. Generate your Central Registry Check form. 2. Sign your form. 3. Upload your signed form [HERE](https://ardhs.quickbase.com/db/bqqmshgyk?a=dbpage&pageID=19), or use the link provided in your email. 4. Pay the processing fee. ### Step 2 - [Online Background Check Consent Form](https://aels.ade.arkansas.gov/AELS/Consent/Consent1.aspx) 1. Reason for Background Check - **Teacher (Pre-Service)** 2. Employer - **IHE with EPP: Arkansas State University** 3. Complete personal information 4. Sign and print copy to bring to your fingerprinting appointment ### Step 3 - [Background Check Payment](https://www.ark.org/ade/licensure_cbc/index.php) 1. Complete personal information 2. Requesting School - **ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY** 3. Verification Code - **8800002** 4. Reason Fingerprinted - **EDP Teacher (Pre-Service)** 5. Complete payment and print the receipt to bring to your fingerprinting appointment ### Step 4 - [List of Approved Live Scan Locations](https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Files/20201102144543_Live_Scan_Locations_rev_10.10.2019web1.pdf) The list provided is of approved fingerprinting locations by the Arkansas Department of Education. It is highly recommended you use one on the list to ensure efficient processing.You must call the location in advance to make an appointment, and you will bring the following items with you: **Online Background Check Consent Form, Background Check Payment Receipt, Government-issued ID (ex. Driver’s License)**
### Step 5 - [Verify Your Background Check is Approved](https://aels.ade.arkansas.gov/AELS/Account/TeacherLogin.aspx) 1. Login to your account on the [AELS](https://aels.ade.arkansas.gov/AELS/Account/TeacherLogin.aspx) system. 2. Select **View current license information** 3. Check for cleared dates under the Non-Criminal Background Information (NCBC) section Please allow **four weeks** for the background clearance status to be determined before contacting the Arkansas Department of Education.
# Part 2 - Verification of GPA and Courses ### **Undergraduates**All undergraduate students must attain a minimum overall GPA of **2.70** and complete at least **30** semester hours.
All of the following courses are required with a grade **C** or better: - **ENG 1003** Composition I - **ENG 1013** Composition II - **SCOM 1203** Oral Communication (or a Speech Proficiency if this course is not required in your degree) - **MATH 1023** College Algebra/**MATH 1043** Quantitative Reasoning/**STAT 2003** Introduction to Statistics - **Introduction to Education** (specific to degree/department) ##### ### **Master of Arts in Teaching**All MAT students must attain a minimum overall GPA of **3.00** and complete at least **3** semester hours.
Special Education MAT students must complete **ELSE 5003 SPED Academy 101.** Elementary, Middle Level, Business, and Art MAT students must complete one 3-hour program-approved course. # Part 3 - Screening InterviewStudents must appear for a personal interview with their Department Screening Committee.
Special Education MAT students will complete an interview in the course **SPED 55003.** Elementary, Mid-Level, Art, and Business MAT students will complete an interview in the course **CIED61303**.
Each program will hold interviews at certain times each semester. It is very important that students keep an eye out for any correspondence from faculty and advisors about interview dates. \*Some programs may need to contact the Program Coordinator directly to schedule an interview. For more information, please contact your respective Program Coordinator. ##### All students will be required to fill out a Signature Verification Page to bring to their interview. Please see below for your respective program's Signature Verification Page (you should receive this from whoever you schedule your interview with). You will only complete the top portion and sign and date on the Applicant's Signature line. - [Elementary, Mid-Level, Art, & Business MAT Signature Verification Page](https://kb.astate.edu/attachments/1916) - [Special Education MAT Signature Verification Page](https://kb.astate.edu/attachments/2539) - [BSE Special Education Signature Verification Page](https://kb.astate.edu/attachments/1918) - [BSE Elementary, Mid-Level, & Secondary Majors Signature Verification Page](https://kb.astate.edu/attachments/1919) - [PreK Academy Certificate Signature Verification Page](https://kb.astate.edu/attachments/2528)After the interview, the Signature Verification Page must be signed by the Department Chair and turned in to the Professional Education Programs office in room 213 in the College of Education and Behavioral Science. **Please ask your Department Screening Committee if you need to turn it in directly or if they will do it on your behalf.**
**Program Coordinators** - **Special Education MAT** - Dr. Eric Gotte - **Elementary, Mid-Level, Art, & Business MAT** - Dr. Mitch Mathis - Pre-K Academy - Dr. Denise Strickland - Jonesboro Campus Elementary and Middle-Level BSE - - Beebe Campus Elementary and Middle-Level BSE - Ms. Kristen Angel - Mid-South Campus Elementary and Middle-Level BSE - Dr. Chad Martin - Mt. Home Campus Elementary and Middle-Level BSE - Ms. Rita Williams - Online Elementary BSE - - Online Special Education BSE - Dr. Jessie King - Agriculture Education - Dr. Nina Crutchfield - Art Education - Dr. Susan Whiteland - English Education - Dr. Rob Lamm - World Languages (Spanish) - Dr. Ruth Owens - Mathematics - Dr. Lisa Rice - Instrumental Music Education - Dr. Andrew Bohn - Vocal Music Education - Dr. Marques Ruff - Health/Physical Education - Dr. Valarie Hilson - History/Social Studies - Dr. Wesley Jackson # Part 4 - Required Documents for Admission ### [ArkansasIDEAS](https://ideaslms.aetn.org/) Ethics CertificateAll students must complete the following course on ArkansasIDEAS: Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB) - The Code of Ethics Training Video (2018) **Course # ERC19048**
1. Create an account on ArkansasIDEAS (you must have started your background check to create an account) 1. [How to Create an Account on ArkansasIDEAS](https://kb.astate.edu/attachments/1920) 2. [ArkansasIDEAS - User Guide](https://kb.astate.edu/attachments/1921) 2. Click **Find Learning**, and search for the course **ERC19048** 3. Click **Enroll me** 4. After completing the course, you will receive a certificate of completion. Save the certificate to your files to upload to the online admission application. ### [Educator Dispositions Self-Assessment](https://kb.astate.edu/attachments/1922) (EDA)All students must complete and turn in a self-assessment.
The **[EDA](https://kb.astate.edu/attachments/1932)** is a self-evaluation completed by the student about themself. Teacher candidates will be made aware of the dispositions and expectations regarding them upon being admitted to the teacher education program. In addition, professional behaviors and dispositions are assessed at various points in the program. After completing the EDA self-assessment, save a copy to your files to upload to the online admission application. # Part 5 - Technology SurveyAll students must complete the Admission **[Technology Checkpoint](https://astate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9zg4MBBixDnVSfA)**[ ](https://astate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9zg4MBBixDnVSfA)Requirement.
Click the link above to complete the survey that examines pre-service teachers' perceptions of their understanding of technological, content, and pedagogical knowledge. The data collected in this survey will be used to assess the Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge (TPACK) of teacher interns at the time of admission. # Part 6 - Online Application for AdmissionAll students must submit an [**Online Application for Admission**](https://gateways.watermarkinsights.com/externalApplications/8e09b444-f787-4b5f-a91b-0cc12c2f4ca0)
To complete this application, you will be required to upload the following documents: - Educator Dispositions Self-Assessment - Certificate of completion of the *Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB) - The Code of Ethics Training Video (2018) Course #ERC19048* from ArkansasIDEASCompletion of the [Online Application for Admission](https://gateways.watermarkinsights.com/externalApplications/8e09b444-f787-4b5f-a91b-0cc12c2f4ca0) does not guarantee admission. Applicants must complete all admission requirements to be formally admitted to the Teacher Education Program.