Penn State Harrisburg earns national accreditation for teacher ed programs

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - The teacher education programs in Penn State Harrisburg's School of Behavioral Sciences and Education have been awarded full seven-year accreditation by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).

"Earning this accreditation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff. It underscores our commitment to providing high-quality educational experiences and preparing our students to be exceptional educators who are prepared for a diverse range of classrooms upon graduation," said Penn State Harrisburg Chancellor David Callejo Pérez. "We are very proud to see our programs and our commitment to excellence affirmed by this prestigious organization."

Linda Rhen, associate chair of assessment and accreditation and program coordinator of Penn State Harrisburg's Special Education PreK-12 Certification Program, added, "We are pleased to receive this national recognition. This accreditation not only validates the excellence of our programs and upholds our longstanding commitment to quality teacher education through our solid curriculum, talented faculty, and extensive partnerships within the region's school districts, but also inspires us to continue striving for innovation and excellence in educator preparation."

The AAQEP Accreditation Commission affirms that the following programs meet all four AAQEP standards for completer performance and program practice:

• Bachelor of Elementary Education and Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) certification in the following areas and grade levels:
  • Preschool - Grade 4 (PreK-4)
  • Preschool - Grade 4 (PreK-4) and Special Education PreK-12
  • Grades 4-8 English
  • Grades 4-8 Mathematics
  • Grades 4-8 Social Studies

• Bachelor of Social Science in Secondary Education with PDE certification in Secondary (7-12) Social Studies
• Bachelor of Humanities in English with PDE certification in Secondary (7-12) English
• Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences with PDE certification in Secondary Mathematics
• Postbaccalaureate PDE certification in the following areas:
  • Elementary Education - Grades PreK-4
  • Elementary Education - Grades 4-8 English
  • Elementary Education - Grades 4-8 Mathematics
  • Elementary Education - Grades 4-8 Social Studies
  • Secondary Education - Grades 7-12 English
  • Secondary Education - Grades 7-12 Mathematics
  • Secondary Education - Grades 7-12 Social Studies
  • Special Education PreK-12

In addition to meeting high standards, Penn State Harrisburg's teacher education program is actively addressing the teacher shortage in Pennsylvania and nationally. The program focuses on preparing educators who are ready to meet the diverse needs of today's classrooms and contribute positively to their communities.

Callejo Pérez noted, "The current teacher shortage is a critical issue, and our program is dedicated to producing skilled educators who are equipped to fill these gaps. Our graduates are prepared to make an immediate impact in schools across Pennsylvania and beyond."

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 contexts and foster innovation and collaboration among institutions.

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. AAQEP is nationally recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and currently has members in 38 states and other jurisdictions with over 200 educator preparation providers participating in the accreditation system.