The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith’s School of Education was ranked the second-best program in Arkansas for a bachelor’s degree in the education field by ToBecomeATeacher.org.
Criteria for the rankings included acceptance rate, student-to-faculty ratio, graduation rates, total expense, potential earnings and overall return on investment. UAFS received the best possible scores on cost and return on investment, denoting the program’s superior value.
Dr. Glenda Ezell, Executive Director of the School of Education, said the school has a team of experienced faculty who are dedicated to preparing effective educators.
“Our faculty are active in local, state, and national initiatives, which enables them to provide cutting-edge educational opportunities and experiences for their pre-service teachers,” Ezell said. “Our faculty and public school partners work together to recruit, prepare, and mentor UAFS students as they advance through the program.”
The UAFS School of Education has 346 admitted students in its teacher preparation programs. Additionally, the school is one of two institutions in the state to offer pre-service teachers the opportunity to participate in a professional development school before beginning a teaching internship. The School of Education currently has partnership agreements with 58 school districts.
“I am not surprised to see the School of Education ranked so highly in Arkansas,” Darbeau said. “Dr. Ezell, the faculty and the program’s stakeholders are always doing what is best for students and striving to find innovative ways to encourage and prepare the next generation of teachers that come through the program.”
ToBecomeATeacher.org was developed by educational and career experts and focuses on providing students of all levels with factual resources, career tips and advice from fellow teachers and experts. To view the full list of schools, visit http://tobecomeateacher.org/how-to-become-a-teacher-in-arkansas.
For more information about the program, visit http://education.uafs.edu/# or contact Dr. Glenda Ezell, executive director of the school of education, at 479-788-7912 or glenda.ezell@uafs.edu.