AAMU Noted for Excellence in Educator Prep

Alabama A&M University joins 238 providers in the United States that meet rigorous Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) standards to better prepare the teachers of tomorrow.

As part of its spring review, the CAEP Accreditation Council announced AAMU as part of 42 newly accredited education preparation programs (EPPs) from 23 states and the District of Columbia. 

“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.”

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 institutions focused on educator preparation. Approximately, 800 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 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.

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.

AAMU met all five standards with no areas for improvement or stipulations.

“Our students, faculty, staff and administration are very proud of this accomplishment. We are grateful to our dedicated school partners who continue to join forces with us to maintain the tradition of excellence our educator preparation programs are known for,” said Dr. Lena Walton, education dean.  “A nationally accredited program is also an attractive choice for students and their families seeking to invest in high quality and affordable teacher preparation.”