NJCU Is Among 46 Educator Prep Providers from 22 States and Puerto Rico Recognized for National Excellence in Educator Prep

147 Programs Now Meeting New, Rigorous CAEP National Accreditation Standards to Better Prepare Our Teachers of Tomorrow  

The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) announced on June 18, 2018 that New Jersey City University (NJCU) is among 46 providers from 22 states and Puerto Rico which have received accreditation for their educator preparation programs. The spring 2018 review by the CAEP Accreditation Council increased to 147: the total number of providers approved under the CAEP teacher preparation standards—rigorous, nationally recognized standards that were developed to ensure excellence in educator preparation.   

“These providers 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.”  

CAEP is the sole nationally recognized accrediting body for educator preparation. 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 providers focused on educator preparation. Currently, more than 800 educator preparation providers participate in the CAEP Accreditation system, including many previously accredited through former standards.

NJCU President Sue Henderson commented on the accreditation, saying, “NJCU is committed to excellence in educator preparation and we are proud of this accreditation achievement. New Jersey City University strives to prepare students to succeed in a diverse range of classrooms. We embrace diversity because it enriches our lives and our community.” 

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

• Solid evidence that the provider’s graduates are competent and caring educators, and 
• 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. 

If a program fails to meet one of the five standards, it is placed on probation for two years. Probation may be lifted in two years if a program provides evidence that it meets the standard.  

“These providers should be very proud of the work they are doing. We’ve set a very high bar with our standards and receiving accreditation validates the hard work educator preparation providers are doing,” said Dr. Kim Walters-Parker, Chair of CAEP’s Accreditation Council. “Candidates in programs receiving CAEP Accreditation are investing in an education program that is designated as nationally accredited for educator preparation.” 

The 46 providers that received CAEP Accreditation in spring 2018 are joining the 101 providers previously accredited. Overall, 147 preparation providers from 36 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have received CAEP Accreditation. 

Also, in spring of 2018, the Accreditation Council voted to revoke accreditation for three EPPs. These decisions will be made public once final and at the conclusion of any appeals. 

The class of spring 2018 is listed below. 

Aquinas College - Michigan 

Arkansas State University 

Ashland University - Ohio 

Bluffton University - Ohio 

Calvin College - Michigan 

Central Baptist College - Arkansas 

Concordia University Chicago 

Eastern Kentucky University 

Eastern Michigan University 

Elizabeth City State University - North Carolina 

Florida International University  

Hiram College - Ohio 

Heidelberg University - Ohio 

Indiana University Purdue University - Columbus 

Indiana University Purdue University - Indianapolis 

Indiana Wesleyan University 

Kean University - New Jersey 

Langston University - Oklahoma 

Lee University - Tennessee 

Marietta College - Ohio 

McNeese State University - Louisiana 

Molloy College - New York 

Morris College - South Carolina 

Muskingum University - Ohio 

New Jersey City University 

New Mexico State University 

Northern Illinois University 

Pace University - New York 

Pittsburg State University - Kansas 

St. Louis University - Missouri 

St. Mary’s College - Indiana 

Seton Hall University - New Jersey 

Shepherd University - West Virginia 

The College of Wooster - Ohio 

Universidad de Puerto Rico de Cayey 

Universidad De Puerto Rico De Mayaguez 

University of Akron - Ohio 

University of Arkansas at Little Rock 

University of Indianapolis 

University of Louisiana at Monroe 

University of Maine at Farmington 

University of Nebraska at Kearney 

University of Rio Grande - Ohio 

University of South Carolina 

University of Southern Indiana 

University of Tennessee at Martin 

Wichita State University    

The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (www.CAEPnet.org) advances excellence in educator preparation through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning.