Importance of Accredited Teaching Programs

If you're considering becoming a teacher, the first step in your journey is choosing a teacher education program where you'll receive your degree and become eligible for your initial teaching certification. As you consider your options, make sure you are reviewing only accredited teaching programs.

Higher education accreditation assures you are receiving a quality education and signals the institution's commitment to continuous improvement. Read on for more information about the importance of choosing accredited programs and what to look for when choosing the right teacher education program.

What is Accreditation For Educator Preparation Programs?

Higher education accreditation is a stamp of approval for schools, colleges, or departments that prepare teachers and other educators. It's a process where these programs are evaluated against a set of standards to ensure they're providing quality education that provides future educators with the knowledge and skills they need to be effective in the classroom.

Accreditation signals to students, employers, and the public that the program meets national standards of excellence. For educator preparation programs, gaining accreditation involves a thorough review of the institution's curriculum, faculty qualifications, admissions processes, and student outcomes. Programs go through self-studies, submit an annual report, and have on-site reviews by external evaluators.

Why is Accreditation Important?

Higher education accreditation ensures that teacher education programs are meeting certain standards of excellence, which in turn helps improve the quality of education that students receive across the board. For aspiring teachers, choosing an accredited institution means they're getting an education that's recognized and respected.

Loan and Grant Eligibility

For a college, university, or educational program to be eligible to receive federal funding, it must be accredited by an accrediting association recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This ensures that federal financial aid goes to students at institutions that meet quality standards. It's a safeguard to make sure taxpayer dollars are funding high-quality education.

This also protects students by ensuring they're investing in education that will be respected by employers and other schools, especially if they transfer or pursue further education.

Eligibility for Licensure

Many licensing boards and certification agencies require candidates to have completed an accredited program as part of their eligibility criteria. This is particularly common in fields like education, nursing, engineering, and law.

Students enrolled in non-accredited programs might find themselves ineligible to sit for licensing exams or to receive certain professional certifications after graduation. It could essentially block their path into their chosen career, requiring them to seek additional courses or degrees from accredited institutions to meet the eligibility criteria.

Employment Opportunities

Prospective employers often look at the accreditation status of a candidate's school or program, especially in fields like education. It's one of the ways they ensure a candidate has received a quality education that meets industry standards.

For employers, hiring someone from an accredited program is an indicator of the candidate's skills and knowledge. It shows that the person they're considering hiring has been trained under rigorously vetted conditions. In competitive job markets, this can be a deciding factor between candidates with similar qualifications.

Who is Responsible For Higher Education Accreditation?

In the United States, higher education accreditation is primarily managed by independent accrediting organizations that operate with the recognition of the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Unlike some countries where the government directly oversees accreditation, the U.S. has a unique system where accreditation is largely a peer-review process handled by these non-governmental accrediting bodies.

The U.S. Department of Education does not directly accredit institutions or programs. Instead, it recognizes the accrediting agencies as reliable authorities on educational quality. Recognition by the Department of Education is important because it allows institutions and their students to access federal financial aid. Similarly, CHEA recognition, while not tied to federal funding, lends an additional layer of credibility to accrediting organizations.

Types of Accrediting Organizations

1. Regional Accreditation Organizations: These organizations oversee institutions within a specific geographical area. Traditionally, regional accreditation is seen as the most prestigious form of accreditation for academic institutions. It covers entire institutions rather than specific programs.
2. National Accreditation Organizations: National accrediting bodies typically focus on specific types of colleges, universities, or educational programs, especially those that are career-oriented, vocational, or technical in nature. National accreditation usually applies to for-profit schools and career-specific educational programs.
3. Specialty Accreditation Organizations: These focus on specific programs, departments, or schools within institutions, especially in professional fields such as education, law, medicine, engineering, and business.

National Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

For teacher preparation programs, especially in the United States, the primary accrediting body you'll hear about is the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Formed through the consolidation of two previous accrediting bodies, CAEP has set the bar high for teacher education programs. It's recognized as a key authority in ensuring the quality and effectiveness of educator preparation across the country.

CAEP accreditation serves as a rigorous endorsement of the quality of a teacher education program. To earn CAEP accreditation, programs must meet strict standards that cover various aspects of education, from the curriculum and faculty qualifications to the success rates of their graduates.

Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP)

The Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) is a relatively new organization in the field of educator preparation program accreditation. It's an alternative to the more established CAEP, providing a different pathway for teacher education programs to achieve accreditation.

AAQEP focuses on a comprehensive, evidence-based accreditation process that assesses educational programs against standards of excellence in educator preparation. The association emphasizes a collaborative approach, working with institutions to support continuous improvement and innovation in teaching and learning. Its accreditation process involves a thorough review of programs, including self-study reports, peer review visits, and ongoing feedback loops designed to help programs meet and maintain high standards.

Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation is a membership organization that includes over 3,000 degree-granting colleges and universities and recognizes about 60 accrediting organizations. CHEA is focused on ensuring quality assurance and advocating for self-regulation in higher education through accreditation.

CHEA is not an accrediting agency for schools; it provides recognition to accrediting organizations. CHEA's role is more about ensuring that these accrediting bodies adhere to certain standards of quality and effectiveness in their accreditation processes.

CHEA's activities include:

• Recognizing accrediting organizations that meet its rigorous criteria for effectiveness and quality assurance. They do a comprehensive review that examines how accrediting organizations assess the institutions or programs they accredit, among other factors.
• Advocating for the value of accreditation as a means of ensuring quality education, particularly in the face of challenges and changes in higher education.
• Researching and addressing issues related to accreditation and quality assurance in higher education to improve practices and policies.
• Informing the public, institutions, and policymakers about accreditation and quality assurance to ensure transparency and understanding of these critical processes.

How Does the Accreditation Process Work?

Here's a breakdown of how the accreditation process typically works, keeping in mind that the exact steps can vary depending on the accrediting body:

1. Self-Study: The institution or program starts with an in-depth self-evaluation, measuring its performance against the accrediting body's standards. This involves compiling evidence of academic quality, such as curriculum standards, faculty qualifications, student services, and outcomes.
2. Submission of Report: The self-study findings are compiled into a report and submitted to the accrediting agency. This report serves as the basis for the agency's review, providing a detailed account of how the institution or program meets (or plans to meet) each accreditation standard.
3. Peer Review: Accrediting agencies typically conduct a peer review process, where experts in the field—often from similar institutions but not directly connected to the one being reviewed—evaluate the self-study report. They may ask for additional information and usually visit the institution or program in person.
4. Site Visit: The peer review team visits the institution or program to verify the self-study report's information, interview faculty, staff, and students, and evaluate facilities and resources. This on-site evaluation helps the review team get a firsthand look at how the institution operates.
5. Review and Decision: After the site visit, the review team compiles a report of its findings, including recommendations for improvement and a decision on accreditation. This report is then reviewed by a commission or board within the accrediting agency, which makes the final accreditation decision.
6. Follow-up and Continuous Improvement: Accredited institutions or programs are usually required to submit periodic reports and undergo reevaluation every few years to maintain their accreditation status. This encourages ongoing self-improvement and ensures that standards of quality are continuously met.

The entire process is designed to be rigorous and transparent, ensuring that institutions and programs not only meet established standards at the time of review but also commit to ongoing evaluation and improvement.

What to Look For in a Teacher Education Program

When prospective educators are looking for the right teacher preparation program, they should consider a few key areas in order to ensure they're making the best choice for their future careers.

1. Accreditation: Accreditation signals a program meets certain quality standards. Look for accreditation from respected bodies like the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) or regional accreditation programs, which are often considered the gold standard.
2. Curriculum and Specializations: Make sure the program offers a curriculum that aligns with your career goals. If you have a particular interest or specialization in mind, such as special education, STEM, or educational leadership, choose a program that provides courses or tracks in these areas.
3. Practicum and Student Teaching Opportunities: Hands-on experience is crucial in teacher preparation. Look into the student teaching and practicum experiences offered. Programs with strong partnerships with local schools can provide diverse and enriching practical experiences.
4. Faculty Expertise: The experience and qualifications of the faculty can make a big difference in your education. Look for programs with faculty who have real-world experience in education, contributions to educational research, and specializations in areas of interest to you.
5. Support Services: Consider the support services offered to students, including advising, tutoring, and job placement assistance. Programs that provide robust support can help you navigate your studies and the job market more effectively.
6. Cost and Financial Aid: Get a clear picture of the costs involved and what financial aid is available. Remember to consider the return on investment, especially if you're looking at programs with higher tuition.
7. Alumni Network: A program with a great alumni network can impact your job search after graduation. Networking opportunities, mentorship programs, and connections to local schools can be invaluable in securing your first teaching job.

Pepperdine University GSEP Accreditation

Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WSCUC). This accreditation signifies that the programs offered by Pepperdine meet high standards of quality and effectiveness in education.

WSCUC focuses on evaluating the quality and effectiveness of institutions through rigorous standards such as academic quality, institutional integrity, and sustainability, ensuring that institutions provide meaningful learning experiences, operate ethically, and are financially stable.

Learn More About Teacher Preparation Programs at Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology offers a variety of Master's in Education programs to prepare students for impactful careers in education, including roles as teachers, administrators, and social entrepreneurs. These programs are designed to provide flexibility for working professionals, featuring both online and face-to-face components. Programs include MA in Teaching with preliminary teaching credential, MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and an MS in Education degree focusing on leadership in different educational contexts.

Pepperdine University is preferred for its educator preparation programs because of its passion and purpose-driven approach, distinguished faculty, extensive alumni network, and quality student and career support services. The university emphasizes personal fulfillment, leadership, and making a lasting impact, supported by a faculty of nationally-recognized scholar-practitioners and an average class size that fosters meaningful interactions.

You can find out more about Pepperdine University's various master's degree programs, which are ideal for professionals seeking to make a significant social impact in education.