Academics, Campus wide, College of Education

CSU’s College of Education recognized for continued CAEP national accreditation

By Jan Joslin | December 11, 2023

Dr. Julie Fernandez, dean of the College of Education, (on far left) talks to the Dean of College of Humanities and Social Sciences Dr. John Kuykendall and Dr. Michael Wilder, provost and vice president for academics, about the CAEP accreditation. Photos by Ty Cornett

The Charleston Southern University College of Education is among a select group of education providers recognized for excellence in preparing the next generation of teachers. This fall, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation has continued the CSU College of Education’s national accreditation.

Accreditation is the ultimate stamp of approval from education peers that the CSU College of Education is meeting institutional and professional standards in preparing teachers. The ongoing national teacher shortage is clear proof that tomorrow’s teachers must be highly prepared and adaptable in the classroom.

Dr. Julie Fernandez, dean of the College of Education, said, “Accredited by CAEP furthers our reputation as an outstanding educator preparation program dedicated to developing highly qualified teachers and leaders for our community. The faculty and staff in the CSU College of Education are experienced teachers and leaders committed to collaborating with area school districts to create innovative teaching and leading methods.”

Students studying in the CSU College of Education benefit from the college’s local partners and the multiple professional development opportunities available to them. The College of Ed participates in South Carolina’s Teaching Fellows Program, the Call Me MISTER Program, is the Teacher Cadet regional higher education partner working with future teachers from 13 area high schools, and has a robust Future Teachers Society to provide preprofessional opportunities to students.

The Charleston Southern College of Education offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

The College of Education’s shared their accreditation news with the campus community at a celebration drop-in. Photos by Ty Cornett

CAEP is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Accreditation is a nongovernmental activity based on peer review that serves the dual functions of assuring quality and promoting improvement. CAEP is a unified accreditation system intent on raising the performance of all institutions focused on educator preparation. More than 600 educator preparation providers participate in the CAEP Accreditation system, including some previously accredited through former standards.

The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (www.CAEPnet.org) advances excellence in educator preparation through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning.