Bluefield State College Department of Education is Granted CAEP Accreditation

The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation announced that Bluefield State College and 58 additional providers from 24 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have earned accreditation for their educator preparation programs (EPPs).

 The CAEP Accreditation Council held its fall 2019 review this past October, during which BSC’s Department of Professional Education program was granted accreditation under the rigorous, nationally recognized CAEP Teacher Preparation Standards.

“We have high expectations for the teacher preparation program at Bluefield State and our CAEP accreditation validates the work we are doing,” noted Dr. Shelia Sargent-Martin, Dean of the BSC School of Education.  “We value the partnerships we have with local school systems and appreciate the support they provide in our endeavors to provide students with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to provide quality learning experiences.”

CAEP accreditation underscores Bluefield State College’s rich heritage in educator training and maintaining excellence in our student-centered education program,” observed Robin Capehart, Bluefield State College’s President.  “I am proud of the outstanding work of our faculty, who adhere to the highest standards while preparing our students, the next generation of educators.” 

 “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 CAEP President Dr. Christopher A. Koch. “Seeking CAEP Accreditation is a significant commitment on the part of an educator preparation provider.”

CAEP is the sole 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 800 educator preparation providers participate in the CAEP Accreditation system, including some previously accredited through former standards