Master Professional Educator Designation
Overview
The Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) recognizes the critical role of teacher effectiveness in student achievement. A Master Professional Educator has deep content knowledge and the instructional skill to transfer that knowledge to students and to novice teachers.
When the Designation Is Required
The Master Professional Educator designation is a licensure requirement for any teacher who wants to serve as an experienced mentor teacher to novice teachers in the following four groups:
Group 1
Teachers on Aspiring Teacher Permits
Group 2
Arkansas Registered Apprentices
Group 3
Fourth Grade Placement as outlined in LEARNS
Group 4
Merit pay eligibility for teachers completing a year-long residency through an approved educator preparation program
How to Earn the Designation
To receive the Master Professional Educator designation, a teacher must meet all four requirements below and attach supporting documentation to their application in the Arkansas Educator Licensure System (AELS).
Complete an Approved Pathway
Complete one approved pathway for the Master Professional Educator designation. The approved pathways are listed in the “Approved Pathways” section below.
Document Three Years of Licensed Teaching Experience
Provide documentation of three years of licensed teaching experience. This experience may include time spent teaching under a provisional license; however, the teacher must hold a standard Arkansas teaching license to be eligible to add the designation. Use the Teaching Experience Verification form to document this experience.
Provide a Qualifying TESS Evaluation Rating
Provide evidence of an “effective” or “highly effective” rating on the Teacher Excellence and Support System (TESS) from the applicant’s most recent summative teacher evaluation, conducted within the previous four years.
Please note: The Office of Educator Effectiveness no longer has access to ratings in EdReflect. The only rating that can be retrieved is from the Educator Effectiveness System.
Submit Documentation Through AELS
Submit all required documentation through the Arkansas Educator Licensure System (AELS). DESE reviews the application and, once approved, adds the designation to the teacher’s license. Please allow 10-14 days once correct documentation is uploaded for the designation to be added to your license.
Step-by-Step: Applying for the Designation
Step 1 — Confirm You Are Eligible
You hold a standard Arkansas teaching license, have at least three years of licensed teaching experience, and have a qualifying TESS rating.
Step 2 — Choose and Complete a Pathway
Choose and complete one approved pathway from the “Approved Pathways” section below.
Step 3 — Gather Your Documentation
Gather proof of pathway completion, your Teaching Experience Verification, and your most recent qualifying TESS summative rating.
Step 4 — Submit Your Documentation
Submit all documentation through the Arkansas Educator Licensure System (AELS).
Step 5 — DESE Reviews Your Application
DESE reviews your application and adds the Master Professional Educator designation to your license once approved.
Approved Pathways
Complete one of the approved pathways below. Each pathway shows what it involves, the typical cost to the teacher, and where to learn more.
Provider costs are set and subject to change; confirm current pricing directly with each provider.
Recognized Educator Awards
What It Involves
- Arkansas Teacher of the Year (ATOY)
- Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics or Science Teaching
- Milken Educator Award
- Gilder Lehrman Institute History Teacher of the Year
- Arkansas Rural Education Association Teacher of the Year
Cost to Teacher: No cost to the teacher.
Learn More: Contact the provider.
Harding University — Master Professional Educator Certificate of Study
What It Involves
Four online graduate courses (EDFD 5400 series), with one course including on-site visits for job-embedded coaching:
- Collaborating, Co-Teaching, and Meeting the Needs of All Learners
- Data-Driven Literacy Instruction
- Data-Driven Math Instruction
- Coaching and Leading
Cost to Teacher: Contact Harding University for current tuition.
Learn More: Harding Master Teacher Pathway
Recognized Master’s in Academic Content plus DESE Micro-Credentials
What It Involves
A recognized master’s degree in academic content, plus the following ArkansasIDEAS micro-credentials:
- Scaffolding Instruction to Elevate Rigor
- Providing Feedback for Professional Growth
Cost to Teacher: No cost for the ArkansasIDEAS micro-credentials.
Learn More: Recognized Master’s in Academic Content
MathTrack Institute — Master Professional Mathematics Educator
What It Involves
- Synchronous and asynchronous online program
- 9–12 months to complete
- Includes a culminating capstone project
Cost to Teacher: $2,800 per candidate. Covers all coursework, access to the MathTrack app, mentorship, job-embedded field experience, and required materials.
Learn More: Contact the provider.
National Board Certification (NBCT)
What It Involves
- 1–3 years to complete
- Applicant must be an active National Board Certified Teacher to add the designation.
Cost to Teacher: $1,900 total ($475 for each of the 4 components).
Learn More: National Board Certification
National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET)
What It Involves
- 5 days of professional learning
- Half-day of on-site coaching support
- Certificates issued May 2026
Cost to Teacher: $2,200 per teacher.
Learn More: NIET Master Professional Educator Designation Pathway
Contact: Regional Director, Amy Gayle — armastereducator@niet.org
Bailey Education Group
What It Involves
- 3 days of professional learning
- 9 job-embedded, on-site coaching visits
- 12 sessions over 6 months
Cost to Teacher: $2,250.
Learn More: Bailey Education Group
Note: Candidates completing a previously approved pathway must have enrolled prior to December 2024.
Contact
For more information, please contact:
Lori Bush
Program Manager
Arkansas Department of EducationDivision of Elementary and Secondary Education
Office of Educator Effectiveness
Four Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-683-1417
Email: Lori.Bush@ade.arkansas.gov
Related Links
