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Online Education Certificate Programs

Arkansas State University offers eight online graduate certificates for K-12 educators, ranging from 12 to 21 credit hours, completed in as few as 8 to 12 months. Each is a standalone credential built for licensed and aspiring educators who want to add a specific instructional or administrative credential: dyslexia intervention, special education, gifted and talented education, curriculum leadership, building-level administration or adult education.

Why Choose an A-State Online Education Certificate Program?

A wide range of specialized certificate options in high-demand areas
Balanced personal and professional obligations with convenient, 100% online coursework
Every certificate is a standalone credential that layers onto a license or degree you already hold
CAEP-accredited coursework recognized by the Arkansas Department of Education for licensure and endorsement purposes
Flat, transparent per-credit tuition with the same rate for in-state and out-of-state students

Adult Education Certificate online

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Adult Education Certificate

12 months Duration

12 Credit Hours

$4,200 Total Tuition

Gain new theories and practices to effectively engage adult learners in a variety of settings. This Adult Education Certificate program features affordable online courses, with all credit hours transferable to a master’s in adult education. Explore emerging trends in adult and vocational education and learn from an experienced adult educator in a hands-on practicum. Students with or without a teaching license can earn this adult ed cert.

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Building Level Administration Certificate online

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Building Level Administration Certificate

12 months Duration

18 Credit Hours

$6,300 Total Tuition

The Building Level Administration Certificate online program offers you a fast-track program of study to prepare for leadership roles at the campus level. Designed for experienced educators and educational leaders, this graduate-level certificate program builds upon your previous education and paves the way to earning your Building-Level Administrator License.

In this online certificate program, you will study special topics such as: educational law, internal and external relationship building, curriculum management specific to the needs of the school you work in and formal processes in conducting teacher evaluations.

Upon completion of this online program, you will have acquired the skills and knowledge you need to serve as a principal or any other campus leadership role.

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Curriculum Director Certificate online

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Curriculum Director Certificate

12 months Duration

18 Credit Hours

$6,300 Total Tuition

The Curriculum Director Certificate online program offers you a fast-track program of study to prepare for leadership roles in curriculum development. Designed for experienced educators and educational leaders, this graduate-level certificate program builds upon your previous education and paves the way to earning your Curriculum Program Administrator License for the role of curriculum director.

In this graduate-level online certificate program, you will gain an understanding of the many factors that curriculum directors must weigh in the selection and organization of course content, instructional materials and student-centered learning activities for primary and secondary educational institutions.

Upon completion of this certificate program, you will have acquired the skills and tools necessary for advanced roles in curriculum development.

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Dyslexia Certificate online

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Dyslexia Certificate

8 months Duration

15 Credit Hours

$5,250 Total Tuition

Build upon your teaching expertise by adding a specialization in dyslexia with our Dyslexia Certificate online program. Gain the knowledge and skills you need to enhance your teaching practice and develop the literary growth of more students.

Aligned with the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) and the International Literacy Association (ILA) standards, this program focuses on the structure of language, the interaction between language and literacy, diagnostic procedures and multisensory approaches to helping struggling readers. As part of this graduate-level online program, you will also learn legal aspects that protect students receiving specialized services.

Upon completion of this online program, you will have acquired the skills and tools necessary to provide the appropriate intervention services to students with dyslexia.

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Gifted, Talented Director Certificate online

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Gifted, Talented Director Certificate

12 months Duration

18 Credit Hours

$6,300 Total Tuition

Enhance your leadership skills and solidify your expertise in gifted and talented education in the Gifted, Talented Director Certificate online program. Designed for experienced educators and educational leaders, this certificate program builds upon your previous education and offers a path to additional licensure for the role of gifted, talented director.

Upon completion of this online program, you will be prepared for supervisory roles in gifted and talented education.

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Instructional Specialist Gifted, Talented & Creative Certificate online

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Instructional Specialist Gifted, Talented & Creative Certificate

12 months Duration

15 Credit Hours

$5,250 Total Tuition

Fine-tune your teaching skills to meet the needs of advanced students in your classroom. The Instructional Specialist Gifted, Talented & Creative Certificate online program offers you a fast-track program of study to K-12 gifted education certification.

In this graduate-level online program, you will learn how to differentiate your lesson plans and instructions to effectively challenge your advanced learners and meet their growing needs. You will study current theory and practice in the planning and implementation of educational programs for gifted, talented and creative students.

Upon completion of this online program, you will gain the skills and tools necessary to deliver rigorous curriculum and instruction to advanced students.

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Special Education Director Certificate online

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Special Education Director Certificate

12 months Duration

18 Credit Hours

$6,300 Total Tuition

Enhance your leadership skills and solidify your expertise in special education in the Special Education Director Certificate online program. Designed for experienced educators and educational leaders, this certificate program builds upon your previous education and offers a path to additional licensure for the role of special education director.

In this graduate-level online certificate program, you will guide fellow teachers with age-appropriate yet rigorous course curriculum, lesson plans, learning materials and instruction practices specific for students with learning disabilities to foster authentic learning experiences. You will also focus on special education law to ensure all students receive their learning services.

Upon completion of this online program, you will be prepared for supervisory roles in special education.

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Special Education K-12 Certificate online

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Special Education K-12 Certificate

10 months Duration

21 Credit Hours

$7,350 Total Tuition

Embark in the rewarding field of special education in the Special Education K-12 Certificate online program. Designed for practicing teachers, this online certificate program elevates your teaching practice to suit the needs of students with learning disabilities.

In this graduate-level online program, you will gain an understanding of the unique characteristics of diverse learners, learn to apply positive intervention and support systems to create a secure learning environment, and accommodate student needs by creating individualized educational goals.

Upon completion of this online program, you will be prepared to teach in inclusion and special education classrooms.

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The educator preparation programs at Arkansas State University are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Contact CAEP at 1140 19th St. NW, Suite 400, Washington D.C. 20036 or by calling 202-223-0077.

Which Path Fits Your Goals?

To choose an A-State certificate that’s right for you, consider where you want your career to go next. Start with the statement below that sounds most like you.

"I want to move into school or district leadership without a new degree."

"I want to specialize in a subject or student population, not move into administration."

"I want a credential that doesn't require a current teaching license."

"I want to move into school or district leadership without a new degree."

"I want to specialize in a subject or student population, not move into administration."

"I want a credential that doesn't require a current teaching license."

Certificate Comparison: Credential Path at a Glance

All eight certificates share A-State’s flat credit-hour tuition rate. What actually differs is duration, credit hours and the credential each one leads to. Use this table to compare on that basis.

Adult Education	12 months	12	$4,200	No new license; credits transfer to MSE Adult Education

Building Level Administration	12 months	18	$6,300	Building-Level Administrator (principal) license

Curriculum Director	12 months	18	$6,300	Curriculum Program Administrator license

Dyslexia	8 months	15	$5,250	Dyslexia intervention skills (IDA/ILA-aligned)

Gifted, Talented Director	12 months	18	$6,300	Gifted & Talented program administrator license

Instructional Specialist GATE	12 months	15	$5,250	K-12 gifted education certification

Special Education Director	12 months	18	$6,300	Special education administrator license

Special Education K-12	10 months	21	$7,350	SPED K-12 teaching credential

* Licensure and endorsement outcomes may vary by state.

Built for Arkansas Educators

Arkansas State is a Carnegie R2 research university, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and was named Arkansas's Best Online College by BestColleges (2026). Every online education certificate program is recognized by the Arkansas Department of Education for licensure and endorsement purposes under CAEP accreditation, so the credential carries weight with Arkansas district HR offices without needing to be explained or defended. Coursework is 100% online with no required campus visits, and several certificates include a supervised internship you can complete at your own school site. For state program approvals, visit the State Authorization & Licensure Disclosures page.

Online Education Certificate Programs FAQs

Which A-State certificate is right for a teacher who wants to move into administration versus one who wants to specialize in curriculum work?

For administration, the Building Level Administration Certificate (principal-track) or the Special Education Director and Gifted Talented Director certificates (program-leadership tracks) are built for that path. For curriculum-specific work without a building-leadership title, the Curriculum Director Certificate is the closer fit, since it centers on district-wide instructional materials and program decisions rather than campus management.

I want a credential without a full new degree. What are my options at A-State?

All eight of A-State's education graduate certificates are standalone credentials without requiring enrollment in a full master's degree. They range from 12 to 21 credit hours and 8 to 12 months, layering a specific license or specialization onto a degree and license you already hold.

Do A-State's graduate certificates stack toward a master's degree?

It depends on the certificate. The Adult Education Certificate is explicitly built so every credit hour transfers toward A-State's MSE in Adult Education. Several other certificates share coursework with related MSE or Ed.S. programs, so credits may apply with department approval. Check with a student engagement specialist for the specific certificate and degree combination you're considering.

How many credit hours are A-State's education certificates, typically?

Typically 12 to 21 credit hours, depending on the certificate: Adult Education is the shortest at 12 credit hours, most administrator-track certificates (Building Level Administration, Curriculum Director, Gifted Talented Director, Special Education Director) run 18 credit hours, and Special Education K-12 is the longest at 21 credit hours.

Can certificate credits apply if I later enroll in a full master's program?

In some cases, yes, most directly with the Adult Education Certificate, which is designed so its 12 credit hours count toward A-State's MSE in Adult Education for qualified educators. For other certificates, ask a student engagement specialist to evaluate your specific certificate coursework against the master's program you're considering; policies vary by department.

Which is better for my career: Curriculum and instruction vs. educational leadership master's?

Choose the curriculum and instruction path (MSE in Curriculum & Instruction, or the Curriculum Director Certificate if you don't want a full master's) if your goal is shaping what and how students learn: instructional materials, program design, teacher coaching. Choose an educational leadership path (MSE in Educational Leadership, or the Building Level Administration Certificate) if your goal is campus or district management: budgeting, personnel, school law and operations. Many curriculum-focused educators later add an administration credential once they're ready to manage a building or department.

Learn from the Best: Meet A-State's Online Education Faculty

Arkansas State University's online graduate certificate programs are taught by the same College of Education and Behavioral Science faculty who teach the related master's and specialist programs, bringing firsthand K-12 leadership and specialization experience into every course.

Dr. Lee-Anne Oros, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, Director for Building-Level Curriculum & Instruction Program

Dr. Annette R. Hux, Interim Dean, College of Education and Behavioral Science

Adult Education Certificate
SPED Director Certificate
Curriculum Director Certificate
Gifted, Talented Director Certificate
SPED K-12 Certificate
Building Level Administration Cert
Instructional Specialist GTC Certificate
Dyslexia Certificate

Adult Education Certificate

Duration: 12 months Credit Hours: 12 Tuition: $350 {tuition_specification_type_per_course}*