The Fall 2021 review by the CAEP Accreditation Council resulted in 39 newly accredited EPPs, bringing the total to 462 providers approved under the CAEP accreditation standards – rigorous, nationally recognized standards that were developed to ensure excellence in educator preparation programs.

“These institutions meet high standards so that their students receive an education that prepares them to succeed in a diverse range of classrooms after they graduate,” said CAEP President Dr. Christopher A. Koch. “Seeking CAEP accreditation is a significant commitment on the part of an educator preparation provider.”

The CAEP board of directors updated the educator preparation standards in 2020 as part of its commitment to reviewing the standards at least every seven years. The changes to the CAEP standards reflect the board’s commitment to equity and diversity and also place an emphasis on the importance of technology in preparing future educators. CAEP is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

“The School of Education has been well known for its excellence both in preparing teachers for the challenges of the classroom and administrators who lead with distinction,” said Anne Dichele, dean of the School of Education. “The recent review of the CAEP accreditors is a testament and a validation of that reputation. Receiving national recognition for the quality of our educator preparation programs publicly announces what our School of Education faculty and students have always known – we are a school whose mission is to prepare only the highest quality educators and we are dedicated to promoting equity and excellence in American education.”

Accreditation is a nongovernmental activity based on peer review that serves the dual functions of assuring quality and promoting improvement. CAEP was created by the consolidation of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council. It is a unified accreditation system intent on raising the performance of all institutions focused on educator preparation.

Approximately 700 educator preparation providers participate in the CAEP accreditation system, including some previously accredited through former standards.

Educator preparation providers seeking accreditation must pass peer review of the CAEP standards, which are based on two principles:

1. Solid evidence that the provider’s graduates are competent and caring educators
2.  Solid evidence that the provider’s educator staff have the capacity to create a culture of evidence and use it to maintain and enhance the quality of the professional programs they offer.

Quinnipiac joins 38 other providers to receive accreditation this fall, bringing the total number to 462 CAEP-accredited providers from 45 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.