Cannon-Clary College of Education
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PreK Teacher Academy

Harding University's Cannon-Clary College of Education is fully approved by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to offer the Early Childhood PreK Teacher Academy! This nine-hour fully online program allows qualifying candidates to earn an initial teaching license in PreK. In previous years, this was a grant-funded program. For the 2024 cohort, some financial assistance is available through T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) Early Childhood.

This program features:

  • 240 Tutoring provided by DESE
  • Nine hours of coursework to complete Early Childhood PreK program needed for Arkansas licensure
  • 100% online cohort model
  • Asynchronous graduate-level courses

The PreK Teacher Academy is for you if you:

  • Are a non-licensed PreK employee wanting to earn a first-time license
  • Have a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education OR
    • a bachelor's degree that includes at least 18 hours of Early Childhood Education coursework
  • Have a passing score on the Praxis Assessment Education of Young Children (5024) by June 21, 2024. (The test MUST be taken by May 31, 2024.)
  • Have past PreK teaching experience, will be employed in 2024-2025 school year in a setting serving three-, four-, and five-year-olds in Arkansas, and have a signed participation form from the district or program that is:
    • Pre-kindergarten in a public school (Arkansas Better Chance (ABC), Head Start, or District Program)
    • In an Education Service Cooperative, OR
    • An ABC pre-kindergarten in a non-public school setting that is Arkansas Better Beginnings Level 3 or higher.

For PreK Teacher Academy questions, please call 501-279-5107 or email Dr. Leeann Howard at lhoward6@harding.edu.

Admissions Requirements and Application Process

Applications for the 2024 PreK Teacher Academy are now being accepted!

Complete Harding's Initial Interest Application. After we verify that you qualify, we will assist you in completing additional application items.

Important Praxis Assessment Information: In order to provide proof of a passing score on the Praxis Assessment 5024, applicants' scores should be sent to Harding University (Institutional Code 6267).

The Praxis exam MUST be taken by May 31, 2024, to qualify for the 2024 cohort.

Praxis score release dates:

  • June 21, 2024: Scores released for exams taken during May.
  • May 17, 2024: Scores released for exams taken during April.
  • April 19, 2024: Scores released for exams taken during March.

Free 240 Tutoring provided by DESE can be found by visiting this webpage.

Course Schedule

This program uses a fully-online cohort model and includes asynchronous graduate-level courses.

2024 PreK Teacher Academy Schedule

Summer Session II:

July 1-26, 2024

SPEC 6510 - Curriculum and Guidance for the Young Child

Fall Semester:

August 19-October 11, 2024

SPED 6300 - Literacy Strategies for the Beginning/Emergent Reader

August 19-December 13, 2024

EDFD 5400 - Early Childhood PreK Academy Practicum


Candidates must take the Praxis by May 31, 2024  to receive scores on June 21, 2024.

Contact Us

Graduate Studies in Education is part of the College of Education

501-279-4315

graded@harding.edu

Fax: 501-279-4083

Mailing address:
Harding University
Graduate Studies in Education
HU 12261
Searcy, AR 72149-5615