Have Questions?
Many of the most frequently asked questions about the admissions process as well as the A-ARL program and the application process can be found in our FAQ:
Please only contact UNLV Graduate Admissions with questions related to the application process.
Questions about the A-ARL program should be directed to the A-ARL Team.
Apply for A-ARL Cohort 5:
Early Childhood or Special Education M.Ed.
Prepare your documentation
Please ensure you have the following documentation/items ready to be uploaded with your application. Admission consideration may be delayed or denied without submitting these documents:
Transcripts may take several weeks to arrive and be processed. The good news? You only need to send in unofficial transcripts (that just means a PDF for most of you) to get the process started and apply. If admitted, you will need official transcripts on file.
Find more information about submitting transcripts and UNLV’s admission requirements on UNLV’s website.
If you are admitted to the program, you will need your immunization records. It’s never too early for you to start getting those together.
More information about required immunizations is available on UNLV’s website.
After submitting your application to the UNLV Graduate College, you will be emailed a Kira Talent Assessment which includes the following:
- Short Essay Question 1 (1,500 character limit)
We want to get to know a little bit about you. Introduce yourself, what you do, and tell us something about you as a learner. - Short Essay Question 2 (3,000 character limit)
This program is about thinking “Nevada Forward”—we see the work teachers do with students as a primary way that we can all achieve great outcomes for Nevada. Help us understand how you plan to be “Nevada Forward” as a teacher. We are particularly interested in why you want to teach and some of your innovative thoughts about how you will make a difference in the lives of Nevadans as a teacher. - Single Select Question (choose one)
Do you currently work for a Nevada public or charter school?
Once you begin your assessment on Kira Talent, you will have 10 minutes per question to formulate and submit your responses — we suggest pre-writing your responses so you can submit them directly into Kira without going over the 10 minute time limit.
Your answers to these questions will provide the NV-EPIC team with additional information about you that will help us determine if you are a good candidate for our program.
NV-EPIC Program Requirements
The NV-EPIC A-ARL program requires that students complete their program requirements while being employed full-time as a teacher of record or long-term substitute in a Nevada public or charter school. As such, the following are requirements to gain full admission to Cohort 5:
A current requirement for obtaining your Alternate Route to Licensure (ARL) Teaching License through the Nevada Department of Education, candidates must successfully pass either the Praxis Core (5752) or California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). Those with an ARL license are eligible to be employed as a teacher while completing the A-ARL program, which is a required condition of students in the program.
Candidates invited to the NV-EPIC A-ARL Bridge Program must successfully pass either the Praxis Core or CBEST and submit official scores to NV-EPIC prior to starting the program in Spring 2023.
Students should register for and pass one of these required exams as soon as possible. For more information on these exams, visit Praxis or CBEST.
Students without official passing scores will be required to complete any necessary student teaching requirements for licensure. Any tuition and fees associated with these courses must be paid by the student — the NV-EPIC program will not provide funds for these courses.
The Accelerated Alternate Route to Licensure (A-ARL) program is designed for students to complete coursework while working full-time as an educator in a Nevada school.
Candidates must then secure a position in a Nevada public or charter school during the Fall 2024 semester to complete program requirements.
The NV-EPIC program maintains relationships with Clark County School District, Washoe County School District, and with Charter Schools and can assist students in finding open positions that fulfill A-ARL requirements.
Submit your application
Complete your application to the UNLV Graduate College (via Grad Rebel Gateway). In the Application Type section, make the following selections:
1) Level of Study: Masters
2) Program of Study: Choose ONE in the track you wish to complete your program
- Early Childhood Education M.Ed. (For Birth-2nd Grade Early Childhood Licensure)
- Special Education M.Ed. (For K-12 Special Education Licensure)
- For Concentration: Gnrlst-Mild Disabilities
3) Term of Admission: Spring 2024
Applications are due November 15, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. No late applications will be accepted. Detailed instructions on how to complete your application can be found here.