Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Elementary School Teachers
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at NorthWest Arkansas Community College, Pulaski Technical College, and Central Arkansas.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider Southeast Arkansas College, Arkansas Tech, Arkansas State, and UA Pine Bluff.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider UA Pine Bluff, Mid-South Community College, Southeast Arkansas College, and Pulaski Technical College.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider UACCB, Ozarka College, Mid-South Community College, and Harding.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Harding, Hendrix, UA Pine Bluff, and University of the Ozarks.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Hendrix, University of the Ozarks, Williams Baptist College, and Harding.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at Hendrix, University of Arkansas, and Harding.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at Henderson State, UA Pine Bluff, University of Arkansas, and Central Arkansas.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Hendrix, University of the Ozarks, UA Little Rock, and PCCUA.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
Sort Reviews By:Sorting by: • Show All Details • Hide All Details
University Of Central Arkansas • Conway, AR
Studying Middle Level Education (completion in 2011)
• 7/10/2011
"The school provided me with a good foundation for my career. The support staff was very active by helping me find employment."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The education department at my school is very good. They provide top notch education and support for graduates. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Majors from my school are sought around the state. They are top picks for many teaching jobs. |
| Program Quality | 9 | I am happy with my education. The program prepared teachers very well. |
| Instruction | 9 | Instructors were very knowledgeable. They held high expectations for their students. |
| How Difficult | 9 | The school held high expectations of their teaching students. There were many more hours of preparation and observation than in many schools in the same areas. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most classes early on were based on book learning. However, the entire last year involved student-teaching and hands on learning. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | The basic classes are very flexible. However, the internship period requires strict 8:00 to 4:30 attendance every week day. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The teachers were very good and cared a lot about their students, so they were very accessible. The facilities were very good and always had the materials I needed. |
| Social Life | 10 | The school always had things going on. The school held parties and social events for both my particular major and the school as a whole. |
| Placement Services | 10 | The career assistance program was very active and got my resume to several different schools. The career services division led to my current position. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | The alumni association is not very active. However, I am a recent graduate so have not had time to take advantage of everything it offers. |
Arkansas Tech University • Russellville, AR
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2000)
• 9/12/2011
"The school could have better prepared me for the things that happen in a school and a classroom. I was not ready for crazy parents or coworkers."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I did learn a lot at my school, but I felt there was quite a bit more I could have learned. I didn't learn the laws of schools, the crazy things that can happen, and how to teach a class with students that are at such different levels. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | The school I went to does not stand out well. I think the school is average due to the fact that there is not a lot of competition. |
| Program Quality | 8 | It was a great school. The teachers and advisors were great and really helpful. |
| Instruction | 4 | I don't think the instruction was good. I was not at all ready to be in the classroom. Things we learned in college were not at all what we did in a "real" classroom. |
| How Difficult | 1 | The schooling was very easy for me. I studied when I needed to, and the information came easily. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There was not a lot of hands on, it was mostly book work and memorizing. More hands-on would have made a better experience. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 4 | There were some classes that were only offered at one time. There were quite a few classes that were offered at many different times. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | Nothing in the media center stood out. I remember a nice computer lab and library. |
| Social Life | 5 | When I went to college I had children and did not involve myself with social activities at the school. I don't remember any football, or anything standing out. |
| Placement Services | 1 | There was no help in finding a job. Other schools had job fairs, but the advisors didn't help with the job search. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I'm not involved in my school's alumni network. |
University Of Arkansas • Fayetteville, AR
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2014)
• 10/7/2011
"I was very disappointed with my school. I did not feel prepared to be a teacher upon graduation and put off entering the education work force for a number of years as a result."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | The education I received at the U of A was inadequate to prepare me to teach. It may have improved in the years since, but it was so poor it would have had to make incredible improvement. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | In my state the University of Arkansas rates highly compared to other state universities and colleges. It compares poorly to several private colleges, though. |
| Program Quality | 3 | My school did not teach me the practical things I need to know to be an effective teacher. The program did not include enough practical, hands on experience. |
| Instruction | 2 | Most of the instruction I received was very poor and not relevant to actual classroom situations. Many of the professors were obviously not concerned with whether I was well-prepared or not. |
| How Difficult | 3 | Most of my classes were very easy; I was not challenged at all. Some teachers gave passing grades just for showing up for class. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There were few hands on opportunities. I had one class that involved 1 hour a week of field work. My student teaching was very brief, lasting only six weeks. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | Schedule flexibility was good. I never had a problem taking a class when I needed to. They now offer everything online I believe. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | Media and computer resources were poor. However, classroom and library access was good and professors were available. |
| Social Life | 10 | School spirit is very good. Social life opportunity was extensive. There were many activities of a broad nature. |
| Placement Services | 2 | I received no help at all in finding a job from my university. Again, there may be such help available that I am not aware of. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | If there is alumni support, I don't know of it. This may be my fault as I have not sought out a support program. |
Arkansas Tech University • Russellville, AR
Studying Music Education (completion in 2005)
• 10/24/2011
"I felt very prepared. While the program was rigorous, it made me appreciate the slower pace of a real job!"
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would absolutely recommend ATU. It's the best school in Arkansas for the aspiring music teacher! |
| Program Reputation | 10 | People come from the entire state to attend ATU to get a music degree. Also, many of the public schools look to hire ATU graduates. |
| Program Quality | 3 | Music class isn't considered to be that important at the level I am teaching at. The teachers see this time as their break and aren't really interested in what I'm doing in my room. |
| Instruction | 9 | The college I went to prepared me for a career as a music teacher. I feel that they did an amazing job. |
| How Difficult | 10 | The music program at ATU is very rigorous . Many people take 6 or more years to complete the music education program because of the number of hours that must be taken. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We had a good mix of hands on and book learning. That's pretty easy in music though. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | Most of the music classes aren't offered at night or on the weekends. I'm not sure why. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | We had an amazing music lab. We also had a great library. |
| Social Life | 10 | I was involved in band so I was always a part of football games. We also played at basketball games. |
| Placement Services | 10 | I got my current job because of the Head of the music department. He called and suggested me for this job. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I'm not really involved with the alumni association. However, I do receive mail from them on a regular basis. |
Arkansas State University • Jonesboro, AR
Studying Music Education (completion in 2003)
• 12/14/2011
"I had a nice experience while at Arkansas State. I wish that there had been some changes, but it was a good education."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It is a means to a four-year degree and it has a good reputation regionally. I have no reason to not advise someone to attend this school. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | In our state, different colleges rise and fall in popularity. Currently, Arkansas State has a moderate appeal in the state. |
| Program Quality | 7 | While Arkansas State has some faculty who I feel are inadequate, the degree requirements are excellent. The degree program requires techniques classes for each instrument, making the music education program unique. |
| Instruction | 6 | Most of the faculty are excellent educators. There are, however, some faculty members that are better performers than educators. |
| How Difficult | 7 | It was time-consuming and challenging, to say the least. However, the program was not more difficult than other music education programs at comparable universities. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There is a nice blend of the two forms of learning. I was pleased with the overall experience and variety. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | There are many sections of required courses for each semester. The college uses adjunct faculty to make certain that there is a flexible schedule for students. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | There is a major push for an aesthetically pleasing campus. I would rank Arkansas State with any major college or university. |
| Social Life | 8 | I was involved in the student government when in school. The activities and involvement for students are excellent. |
| Placement Services | 6 | The university offers assistance with job placement. I did not require these services, so my knowledge is somewhat limited. |
| Alumni Network | I am aware of the alumni association, but the involvement of this organization is not something that I find to be exciting or attractive. |
Online Course Finder
Find the path to your
education in 3 easy steps.