Niagara University’s College of Education Recognized for National Excellence in Educator Prep

Niagara University's commitment to holding itself to the highest national and international standards in teacher education has been reaffirmed with its renewed accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. This recognition acknowledges that NU's College of Education meets CAEP's rigorous, national accreditation standards to better prepare tomorrow's teachers.

The CAEP accreditation was renewed for a period of seven years.

"Renewed CAEP accreditation attests to the high quality of the preparation provided by the faculty in our College of Education and the innovation and relevancy of the curriculum," said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of Niagara University. "Our graduates are skilled, ethical professionals who advocate for positive change by learning, leading, and serving all members of society - service that reflects our Vincentian mission."

The college's well-established partnerships with local P-12 schools facilitate varied and numerous placements for its students, beginning in their first semester. These placements complement the academic preparation students receive in classrooms which feature cutting-edge instructional technology. Graduates consistently exceed New York state requirements for teacher certification and see high employment rates.

"Niagara University's College of Education has a legacy of preparing graduates who are highly qualified and caring educators," said Dr. Chandra Foote, dean of the college. "This accreditation affirms our success in preparing students for their futures as exceptional educators and sets us apart among education programs."

Niagara is one of only 30 providers to receive CAEP accreditation this year for educator preparation programs.

"These providers 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 Dr. Christopher A. Koch, CAEP president. "Seeking CAEP accreditation is a significant commitment on the part of an educator preparation provider."

CAEP is a 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 providers focused on educator preparation. Approximately 600 educator preparation providers participate in the CAEP Accreditation system.

Niagara University's College of Education offers undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare teachers for New York state and/or Ontario certification. In addition to CAEP accreditation, the college is accredited by the Ontario College of Teachers.