Arkansas State Requirements

Standard licensed teachers are required to maintain a minimum of 36 professional development hours per school year. For more information, visit the Arkansas Department of Education website. 

You can meet your 36 hours in several ways with Learners Edge graduate level, continuing education courses. 

Example 1: Reading 

5030: Focus on Phonics for Effective Reading, Writing, and Spelling Instruction (3 credits=15 hours)  

5040: Increasing Comprehension with Close Reading in Your Classroom (3 credits=15 hours)  

5131: Headings, Highlights, and Other Active Strategies for Comprehending Digital Texts (1 credit=5 hours) 

5042: The Reading Fluency Toolbox (1 credit=5 hours) 

Example 2: Social Emotional Learning  

5203: Social and Emotional Learning Starts with You (3 credits=15 hours)  

5102: Anxiety Awareness: Empowering Students with Help and Hope (3 credits=15 hours)  

5018: Incorporating Mindfulness: Strategies to Encourage Student Focus and Awareness (2 credits=10 hours)  

You'll find our graduate level courses to be relevant, engaging and highly applicable to your classroom or school setting…the perfect option to meet your salary advancement needs. Simply select the course(s), session, and a University Partner. Make sure to explore our pricing discounts. 

If you need assistance with submission of a district approval form, course mapping or timelines, we’re happy to help. Our Advisory team is here to help you succeed! 

The conversion of credits to Arkansas professional development hours is: 

• 1 semester hour = 5 professional development hours 

• Learners Edge continuing education courses are approved by our regionally accredited universities and colleges from throughout the United States. These partners provide official transcripts, letter grades and graduate credit for successfully completed Learners Edge courses. 
• When selecting your course, choose any of our regionally accredited graduate credit university partners to gain the semester hours of credit. 

• Learners Edge offers over 100 relevant and engaging  continuing education courses to help meet your requirements.  

Take some time to check out a few of our new courses: 

5154: Deep Thinking Practices for the Math Classroom (3 credits/15 hours) 

5142: Time Management Strategies for Educators (3 credits/15 hours) 

5147: Bringing Students from Unfinished Learning to Soaring Achievement (3 credits/15 professional learning hours)