Southern Adventist University announces that its School of Education and Psychology received accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. This continues the 20-year tradition of Southern’s Teacher Education program being accredited by a nationally recognized organization, officials said.
“The profession has set a high bar with the CAEP standards, and earning CAEP accreditation validates the work educator preparation providers are doing to meet those standards,” said Kim Walters-Parker, chair of CAEP’s Accreditation Council and high school teacher in Versailles, Ky. “Candidates in CAEP-accredited programs are investing in programs designated as nationally accredited for educator preparation.”
According to CAEP, educator preparation providers seeking accreditation must pass peer review on five standards, which are based on two principles: 1. Solid evidence that the provider’s graduates are competent and caring educators; and 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.
Southern’s School of Education and Psychology was found to meet all five standards, joining 100 other institutions accredited by CAEP.
“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 Christopher Koch. “Seeking CAEP accreditation is a significant commitment on the part of an educator preparation provider.”
"The Teacher Education program in Southern’s School of Education and Psychology offers a wide variety of degrees, equipping graduates to teach a broad range of topics in kindergarten through high school. It seeks to prepare not only competent professionals but also compassionate individuals who are ready to meet the diverse needs they will inevitably encounter as classroom teachers," officials said.