College of Education and Health
Programs of Study
The College of Education and Health offers programs of study leading to baccalaureate degrees as listed below (For graduate degree offerings, please see the Arkansas Tech University Graduate Catalog.):
Bachelor of Science
Applied Science
Elementary Education
Emergency Management
Middle Level Education
English/Language Arts
Mathematics
Social Studies
Science
Health and Exercise Science
Health & Physical Education (Teacher and Coaching Education)
Rehabilitation Science
Secondary Education1
Agriculture
Computer Science
Mathematics
Bachelor of Arts1
Secondary Education
Art
English
Social Studies
World Language with Concentration in Spanish Education
Organizational Leadership
Agriculture Business Concentration
Child Development Concentration
Criminal Justice Concentration
Emergency Management
Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Inter-College Concentration
Public Relations Concentration
Bachelor of Music Education1 with Secondary Education options in:
Instrumental Music
Keyboard Instrumental Music
Keyboard Vocal Music
Vocal Music
Bachelor of Nursing options in:
BSN Pre-licensure Program
LPN to BSN Program
RN to BSN Program
Bachelor of Professional Studies:
1Teacher candidate preparing to teach in secondary schools must complete the courses required for specialization in a teaching concentration. These are listed in departmental sections of the catalog and recommended curricula patterns, including teacher licensure requirements, set forth in the College of Education and Health section of this catalog.
Emergency Management and Professional Studies at Arkansas Tech
Arkansas Tech University offers baccalaureate degrees in emergency management and professional studies. The university has offered the Bachelor of Science degree in Emergency Management since 1997. This College of Education and Health program is nationally accredited through the Council for the Accreditation of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Education. In this program, students will explore emergency planning and preparedness, cultural considerations and natural human behavior, appropriate responses, political and legal applications within the field, and ethical foundations for emergency management professionals. The degree is available both on campus and through distance education.
The program employs the comprehensive emergency management approach (four phases and all hazards) required for various careers in the private sector, non-profit, and government agencies ranging from the local to federal levels. Some of these applications include business continuity, cyber security, risk assessment, preparedness, and planning. Please see the Emergency Management, Professional Studies, and Student Affairs Administration page of this catalog to examine specific information and program criteria.
The College of Education and Health offers three Professional Studies’ degree programs designed to meet the unique learning outcomes and career-progression goals of both traditional and non-traditional students. The Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership (BA-OL) provides a 42-hour professional core to provide the student with a foundation in the emerging academic and career-field of organizational leadership. Additionally, BA-OL program students chose from one of several 18-hour concentration areas.
The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) program offers a pathway to a four-year undergraduate degree for individuals who earned an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) or similar two-year degree. The Bachelor of Professional Studies program is the most flexible program available for those who seek to complete a four-year degree by maximizing prior academic credit. Students complete the necessary hours for all degree programs within a convenient yet directed scheduling format under the guidance of academic advisors who understand the unique needs of adult learners. The Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) primary target groups include:
- Students graduating from community colleges
- Degree “stop-outs” who began but never completed a bachelor’s degree
- Individuals who have accumulated hours that cannot be applied toward a specific major.
The curriculum is designed to enhance workplace skills such as planning, organizational behavior, ethics, needs assessment, problem solving, communications, human resources, and technology applications. Please see the Emergency Management, Professional Studies, and Student Affairs Administration page of this catalog to examine specific information and program criteria.
Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science at Arkansas Tech
The programs in the Department of Kinesiology & Rehabilitation Science within the College of Education and Health are designed to prepare students for lifelong growth in the physical, intellectual, cultural, emotional and social dimensions. These goals and objectives are met through the qualified faculty’s presentation of research-based information, utilizing the latest technology.
The department offers two degree tracks in kinesiology. The first track is Health and Physical Education Teaching and Coaching K-12 licensure. This is a nationally recognized program through the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE). The second track is Health and Exercise Science. This track is oriented toward preparing students to be strength/conditioning professionals, fitness professionals, and/or for the pursuit of advanced degrees. Please see the Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science page of this catalog to examine specific information and program criteria.
The Rehabilitation Science curriculum is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation or Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The program is designed to produce undergraduate rehabilitation generalists who have training and experience conducive to successful careers in various rehabilitation service programs. Within the Rehabilitation Science major five minors are offered: 1) Addictions, 2) Aging, 3) Child Welfare and Social Services, 4) Disabilities Studies, and 5) Recreation Services. Students must choose at least one of these minors in order to complete the requirements for the degree. Please see the Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science page of this catalog to examine specific information and program criteria.
Nursing at Arkansas Tech
Arkansas Tech University's nursing curriculum is designed to prepare students for beginning professional responsibilities in a variety of health-care settings and to provide the necessary foundations for graduate study. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and the Master of Science in Nursing Administration and Emergency Management (NAEM) nursing programs at Arkansas Tech University located in Russellville, AR are accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, Phone: (404) 975-5000, Web site: www.acenursing.org). The most recent accreditation decision by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN and RN-BSN) and the Master of Science in Nursing Administration and Emergency Management (NAEM) nursing programs is Continuing Accreditation. The BSN program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing (Address: University Tower Bldg., 1123 South University, Suite 800, Little Rock, AR 7220 4-1619, Phone: (501) 686-2700) and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.
The department of nursing within the College of Education and Health offers undergraduate study in nursing to qualified high school graduates, graduates of diploma and associate degree programs in nursing, licensed psychiatric technician nurses, and licensed practical nurses. The baccalaureate program leads to the degree of bachelor of science in nursing. Please see the Nursing page of this catalog to examine specific information and program criteria.
Teaching and Educational Leadership at Arkansas Tech
The College of Education and Health provides guidance and professional courses for the teacher candidate who plans to teach in elementary, middle level, and secondary schools. The teacher education programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). In addition to this national accreditation, numerous Arkansas Tech University educator licensure programs have received specialized national program recognition or national specialty accreditation, which includes all programs for which these national honors are available.
Teacher candidates who plan to teach physical education, elementary education, or middle level must enroll in the College of Education and Health. Those who elect to prepare for teaching in other fields must enroll in the college appropriate to their interests in teaching and areas of content (e.g., Secondary English Language Arts, Secondary Mathematics, etc.).
For the freshman or sophomore teacher candidate who has not selected a major or specific teaching level or area, the College recommends enrollment in the undeclared program (see “Undecided Study”). In addition to taking the required general education courses, teacher candidates in this program are encouraged to take electives that will provide them with content and skill expertise and help them select a major field. Advisors in this program are selected to provide guidance to undecided teacher candidates. Please see the Teaching & Educational Leadership page of this catalog to examine specific teacher education information and program criteria.
The College of Education and Health also offers a two-year associate of science degree in early childhood education. The early childhood education courses provide the academic requirements for meeting assessment guidelines for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. The general education courses can be applied toward the Bachelor of Professional Studies degree in Child Development. The early childhood program is not a teacher-licensure program (It does not lead to a teaching license.), but it is designed for those individuals pursuing a career in child care and early childhood education in public and private sectors. Please see the Teaching & Educational Leadership page of this catalog to examine specific teacher education information and program criteria.