News Archive

School of Education Earns National Accreditation

Published August 04, 2020

Nazareth College’s School of Education has earned national accreditation of its educator certification programs from the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).

After reviewing the extensive evidence collected through a rigorous process of self-study and peer review, the AAQEP Accreditation Commission awarded full seven-year accreditation.

  • The evidence showed that students who complete the education programs are prepared to work effectively as professional educators and that they are able to adapt to different contexts and to grow professionally 
  • The programs’ capacity to analyze and provide evidence for sustained actions and revisions on behalf of candidates was evident and sufficient to meet AAQEP standards
  • The programs engage with stakeholders and partners to strengthen the P-20 education system (pre-school through graduate school)  in the Rochester region and beyond

"Receiving full accreditation from AAQEP is an endorsement of the value and quality of the School of Education's teacher preparation programs,” said Nazareth’s Dean of the School of Education Kate DaBoll-Lavoie. “After a rigorous national review process, external evaluators have affirmed that our teacher candidates and program completers are effectively prepared to start teaching and to progress as educators.”

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 22 states and territories with 125 educator preparation providers participating in the accreditation system.  

“Congratulations to Nazareth College and to all of the faculty, staff, and stakeholders who have achieved their goal of national accreditation by AAQEP,” said AAQEP President and CEO Mark LaCelle-Peterson. “The programs made a clear case for quality that is marked by deep engagement with the local education community and a strong internal culture of evidence-driven improvement and innovation.” 

Nazareth’s teacher education programs:

UNDERGRADUATE

GRADUATE

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. Visit aaqep.org for more information.

For More Information

Julie Long | Chief PR Officer, | (585) 781-8186 | jlong2@naz.edu

Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.

Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.