The Arkansas Professional Educator Pathway (ArPEP, formerly known as APPEL) Program is an affordable two-year, work-based training, alternative preparation route to obtaining an Arkansas standard teaching license for college graduates or career changers holding at least a bachelor’s degree. ArPEP’s goal is to prepare day one ready teachers to meet the growing demand of the teacher pipeline in Arkansas. The primary objective of ArPEP is to train future educators on how to build classroom communities, design effective lesson plans, implement evidence-based instructional strategies, and use assessments to facilitate student learning.

ArPEP provides a pathway leading to Arkansas licensure in any first-time licensure area except for Special Education K-12, Adult Education, and Guidance and School Counseling. Participants work as a teacher of record under a Provisional Arkansas teaching license for two years when entry requirements are met. Upon successful completion of the program, participants receive a Standard Arkansas teaching license.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is pleased to announce that we will accept applications for the 2025-2026 ArPEP Summer Cohort beginning March 1, 2025.  All applications are due by May 31, 2025, at 4:30pm. The application process and other requirements can be found on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s website. All applicants must pass the Praxis Subject Assessment and submit their undergraduate college transcript for acceptance. Applicants can also be accepted through the flexible enrollment option which an applicant can be accepted with eighteen (18) credit hours in the specific content area with content GPA of 3.00 or higher on an awarded four-year college bachelor’s degree or higher from an institution of higher education that is regionally or nationally accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation

Full details on the summer training dates, site locations and instructions on how to apply are located on the ArPEP website. The link is below. 

Division of Elementary and Secondary Education - Offices - Educator Effectiveness and Licensure - The Arkansas Professional Educator Pathway (ArPEP)