Spring 2027 Residency 1 Application Deadline is November 6, 2026

Residency Requirements: 

1. Praxis: Required Praxis exams must be completed prior to application and scores on file with UCA MAT. You may contact Mrs. Susan Suits (ssuits@uca.edu) in the MAT office to make sure we have your scores if you aren’t sure.
2. Background Checks: You must have a cleared FBI LiveScan Background Check and Child Maltreatment Registry Check. These must all be LESS than ONE YEAR old at graduation (not the start of 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. Visit this Professional Development Requirements page 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. Visit this Ethics Training page for information about the required training and how to submit the evidence.
5. Read the Field Experience Waiver. You will be asked to agree to this when you complete your esidency application.
6. Enroll: You must register for the appropriate Residency I course. The application is separate from registration for the course. Do NOT register until you have met all of the above requirements and completed the application below.

7. Application: Email wards@uca.edu to request the application link. 

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 residency at that school.

Questions? Contact Steve Ward: wards@uca.edu

Special Instructions for Tracks and Programs: 

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

If you are in K-6 (Elementary) or Special Education, you are required to pass the Foundations of Reading assessment by graduation if you want to earn your standard teaching license (https://uca.edu/ocs/testing-information/). Those in the Special Education program must pass or attempt the Foundations of Reading exam prior to beginning Residency 2.  Those in the general education K-6 program must pass by the completion of Residency 2. 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 did not take a 3 credit Arkansas History course as an undergrad. The 45 hour Arkansas IDEAS course is free.
• ALL other tracks/concentrations must complete the 2 hour Arkansas History professional development listed on the Professional Development Requirements page. This must be completed as part of the Residency 1 application process.

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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