Full Accreditation for the School of Education
The University of Saint Joseph School of Education has received full accreditation from the Connecticut Board of Education for its teacher licensure programs. On September 4, the state board granted the full five-year approval for the following USJ teacher licensure programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels: Elementary; Special Education; and in the secondary areas of English, Social Studies, Math, Science, and World Language. In addition graduate level programs in Family and Consumer Science, Early Childhood/Special Education and School Counseling were granted full approval.
"I applaud the School of Education faculty and staff for continuing to offer exemplary programs that prepare the next generation of Connecticut's teachers," said School of Education Dean Kathleen Butler, Ph.D. "Our primary goal is to prepare teachers to enable the success of all learners in a diverse world, and we work towards that every day."
The re-approval process began two years ago when faculty conducted an intensive self-study. In March 2012, the Connecticut Department of Education and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) conducted a site visit and found that all six required standards were successfully met. The University appeared before the Connecticut State Department of Education Approval Board in June, which recommended full approval of the USJ programs to the Connecticut State Department of Education. The decision from the NCATE Executive Board is expected at the end of October 2012.
The Connecticut Education Preparation Advisory Council (EPAC), established to develop new regulations for teacher preparation programs, will make its recommendations by April 2013. Institutions will submit reports addressing the new regulations in accordance with a timeline approved by the State Board of Education. Dean Butler has been selected to serve on EPAC as one of the representative from institutions of higher education.
The School of Education oversees multiple bachelor and master's degree programs, along with professional certificates and teacher licensure programs. Two years ago, USJ launched its off-campus master's program, which is now available at multiple sites throughout the state. For more information on what the School of Education offers, visit www.usj.edu/education.
