Please read through all information on this page.

Please watch the video linked near the bottom of the page and review the slideshow. 

NOTE: We’re in a transition period between the “one semester internship” version of the MAT and MAT Special Education programs and the “one year residency” versions. This change reflects updated state licensure requirements. Consult with your advisor to know which version applies to your program of study. 

Refer to these pages to see pacing guides for each of the versions: MAT General Education & MAT Special Education

• Fall 2026 is the final term for MAT 6699 Internship (General Education) and ELSE 6600 MAT Internship (Special Education).  Any candidates who do not graduate by Fall 2026 will automatically be moved to the “one year residency” version. This transition is why it’s important to consult with your advisor and the UCA MAT program coordinator during the Spring of 2026.
• Candidates who are already on the “one year residency” path and who will have only four courses remaining at the end of Summer 2026 may be eligible to begin the residency year in Fall 2026. Consult with your advisor and the UCA program coordinator during Spring 2026 if you have plans to graduate in May 2027.

Fall 2026 Internship/Residency Application Deadline = July 15, 2026

Teachers of Record

Teacher of record candidates must complete the Internship Application located at the bottom of the page.  The purpose of this form is to determine eligibility for internship and/or residency.  Incorrect information on this form may jeopardize candidate eligibility. Teaching positions may be used if you are in any public school, accredited charter, or accredited private school that are recognized by the state. If you are not sure about your school, please reach out to Mr. Ward. 

Students To Be Placed for Internship

Having your own classroom before internship or residency may not always work out for some candidates Therefore, we offer placement for our interns. All placed interns must also complete the Internship Application located near the bottom of the page. ***Placed internships and residencies are full time and UNPAID! The only way to be paid during internship/residency is to be hired by an accredited school as the Teacher of Record in your own classroom. 

NOTE: Students being placed for internship/residency must pay a $250 fee to UCA Student Accounts prior to the start of the semester. After the application deadline, Mr. Ward will email the names of placed/self-placed interns to students accounts. The fee will be placed on those accounts.

Internship or Residency Requirements: 

1. Praxis: Praxis Subject Area test(s) MUST be completed prior to application and scores submitted to UCA. You may contact Mrs. Susan Suits (ssuits@uca.edu) in the MAT office to make sure we have your scores.
2. Background: You must have a cleared FBI LiveScan Background Check and Child Maltreatment Registry Check. These must be LESS than ONE YEAR old at the time of graduation (not the start of the internship or residency). If you currently hold a valid provisional license, you do not need to redo the background check. Go to uca.edu/ocs/background-checks/internship-and-licensure/ for information about the background check process. To check on the status of your background check and child maltreatment check, go to the AELS website: http://adeaels.arkansas.gov/AelsWeb/
3. Professional Development: You must have all required Professional Development Certificates completed. You must complete the current list. Go to uca.edu/ocs/professional-development/ for information about the professional development requirements. Once all are completed, upload your Record of Learning to the MAT program Google Classroom. If you have not been invited to join the MAT Program Google Classroom, email wards@uca.edu and ask to be invited. Once added to the Google Classroom, look in  Classwork → Training/Certificates → Professional Development Training Evidence. Carefully follow the submission instructions you’ll find there.
4. Ethics: Complete all educator ethics training. Information available here.
5. Read the Field Experience Waiver. You will be asked to agree to this when you complete your internship/residency application.
6. Enroll: You must register for the Internship or Residency I course. If you are not registered by the time Internship Application closes, you will not be eligible for Internship or Residency. The application is separate from registration for the course. Do NOT register, if you do not meet the above requirements.
7. Application: Once you’ve completed #1 – 6 above, the final step is to complete the internship/residency application. See below.

Deadlines for Internship/Residency Applications:

Fall Internship/Residency: You must be registered for MAT 6699 or ELSE 6600-Sped, have met all requirements (see above), and submitted the Internship/Residency Application below NO LATER than July 15, 2025. The video and application links will open in early March 2026.

Internship/Residency Video & Slideshow: Click these links to review the Internship/Residency slideshow and watch the Internship/Residency video.

Internship application: Use this link to complete the internship/residency application

THE FALL 2026 APPLICATION DEADLINE IS July 15, 2026. All requirements (# 1-7 listed above) must be completed by that date. 

Teaching positions may be used if you are in any public school, accredited charter, or accredited private school that are recognized by the state. If you are not sure about your school, please reach out to Mr. Ward. If you are not at an accredited private or charter, you will not be allowed complete your internship in that school.

Questions? Contact Steve Ward: wards@uca.edu

Please note: Placement is a lengthy process and your patience is appreciated. If you are being placed, please wait for Mr. Ward to contact you regarding your placement. If you are the Teacher of Record, please make sure all of the information you are providing is correct and up-to-date.

Special Instructions for Tracks and Programs: 

Foundations of Reading Exam (K-6 & SPED Only–before graduation)

If you are in K-6 (Elementary) or Special Education, you are also required to take the Foundations of Reading assessment (https://uca.edu/ocs/testing-information/). The timeline for this test is during your internship semester OR AFTER you have taken all of the literacy courses and elementary courses (MAT 6320, MAT 6314, MAT 6374, and MAT 6338). Those in the Special Education program need to attempt the FoR prior to entering internship.  Anyone on the Elementary or Special Education track not passing the FoR prior to graduation will not have their standard license issued.

Arkansas History with AR IDEAS (K-6, Middle Level Social Studies, and Secondary Social Studies Only–before graduation)

All MAT candidates must complete training in Arkansas History. Your MAT track/concentration determines how much training your license requires. See the guide below:

• K-6, 4-8 social studies, 7-12 social studies ONLY must either have earned 3 credits in Arkansas History on their undergraduate transcript OR they must complete the 45 hour Arkansas History Program through Arkansas IDEAS. You’ll find information about how to register for this course below. You have until the end of your internship/residency to complete the 45 hour course and upload the certificate. You only need to take the 45 hour course if you didn’t take a 3 credit Arkansas History course as an undergrad. The Arkansas IDEAS course is free.
• ALL other tracks/concentrations must complete the 2 hour Arkansas History professional development listed at this link: https://uca.edu/ocs/professional-development/ This must be completed as part of the internship application process and it’s the same 2 hour course listed above in the What Must Be Completed section on this page.

K-6, 4-8 Social Studies, and 7-12 Social Studies only—your Arkansas History training must be completed before you can be awarded your standard teaching license-

If you have a passing grade (C or better) in an Arkansas History course on your transcript, there is no need to take the 45 hour Arkansas IDEAS course.

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