Accreditation

In 2015, TU’s initial and advanced teacher preparation programs were granted continued accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) by the Continuous Improvement Commission of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Receiving accreditation indicates that the institution and its programs meet rigorous standards set forth by the professional education community.

The U.S. Department of Education previously recognized NCATE as a specialized accrediting body for schools, colleges, and education departments. In 2016, NCATE and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) consolidated and became the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). 

CAEP accreditation is quality assurance based on external peer review. It provides a framework for educator preparation programs to produce successful educators by continuously improving their programs through self-assessment and evidence-based analysis.

2023 CAEP Accreditation 

Call for Comments for Upcoming Accreditation Visit

Towson University College of Education is hosting an accreditation visit by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) on November 12-14, 2023. Interested parties are invited to submit third-party comments to the evaluation team. Please note that comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of professional education programs offered and should specify the party's relationship to the provider (i.e., graduate, present or former faculty member, employer of graduates).

We invite you to submit written testimony to:

CAEP
1140 19th Street NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036

Or by email to: callforcomments@caepnet.org

Such comments must be within the specified period and based on the core tenets of CAEP accreditation standards of excellence, which recognize that:

  • In CAEP's performance-based system, accreditation is based on evidence that demonstrates that teacher candidates know the subject matter and can teach it effectively so that students learn. In the CAEP system, Educator Preparation Programs must prove that candidates can connect theory to practice and be effective in an actual P-12 classroom.
  • A professional education provider that is accredited by CAEP is expected to be involved in ongoing planning and evaluation; engaged in continuous assessment and development; ensure that faculty and programs reflect new knowledge, practice, and technologies; and be involved in continuous development in response to the evolving world of education and educational reform.
  • Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of professional education programs offered, and should specify the respondent's relationship, if any, to the institution (i.e., graduate, present or former faculty member, employer of graduates). Copies of all correspondence received will be sent to the university for comment prior to the review.