The Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) has awarded full seven-year accreditation to the Teacher Education programs at St. Cloud State University.
After reviewing the evidence collected through a process of self-study and peer review, the AAQEP Accreditation Commission issued the decision with the following rationale:
The Commission evaluated the program’s evidence for each AAQEP standard and determined that all four standards are met. The program prepares candidates to work effectively as professional educators who can adapt to different contexts and continue to grow professionally. Candidates benefit from a variety of clinical experiences and contexts.
SCSU maintains quality in its educator preparation programs by analyzing evidence of their effectiveness and making timely program revisions and resource allocations to benefit candidates. It engages with stakeholders and partners to strengthen the P-20 education system and address each partner’s particular needs. Program faculty support professional colleagues across the nation by sharing their well-researched co-teaching model and practices.
“The work our faculty and staff put into AAQEP accreditation demonstrates SCSU’s commitment to preparing educators to lead change,,” said King Banaian, Interim Dean of SCSU’s College of Education and Learning Design. “Building on a strong foundation, St. Cloud State University has kept education as a distinct area of academic focus for more than 150 years.”
National accreditation assures the quality of professional preparation programs through a nongovernmental, nonregulatory process of self-study and peer review. This standards- and evidence-based process serves two broad aims: accountability and continuous improvement. The AAQEP model is also designed to honor local context and foster innovation and collaboration among institutions. AAQEP currently has members in 35 states and other jurisdictions with some 190 educator preparation providers participating in the accreditation system.
“Congratulations to St. Cloud State University and to all of the faculty, staff, and stakeholders who have achieved their goal of national accreditation by AAQEP,” AAQEP President and CEO Mark LaCelle-Peterson said. “The University ensures the quality of teacher preparation through its attentiveness to evidence of program effectiveness and responsiveness to clinical partners’ needs.”
About St. Cloud State University
Founded in 1869, St. Cloud State University (SCSU) continues to make a bold impact on the lives of students, the region and the world. Located in St. Cloud, on the banks of the Mississippi River in central Minnesota, SCSU offers an in-demand portfolio of programs in the fields of education, business, engineering and applied sciences and holistic health and wellness. Offering deep industry roots and networking connections with more than 130,000 alumni, SCSU students engage in relevant academic experiences to build on their careers and the region’s workforce. SCSU is a thriving, inclusive and diverse campus community. Learn more about St. Cloud State University at stcloudstate.edu.
About AAQEP
Founded in 2017, AAQEP is a membership association and quality assurance agency that provides accreditation services and formative support to all types of educator preparation providers. The organization promotes excellent, effective, and innovative educator preparation that is committed to evidence-based improvement in a collaborative professional environment. AAQEP is nationally recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Visit aaqep.org for more information.
