College of Educational Studies receives fourth national accreditation

Chapman University’s College of Educational Studies (CES) has been recognized as one of the elite teacher education schools in the country after receiving accreditation for the maximum period of five years by the prestigious Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) in Washington, D.C. 

This is the College of Educational Studies’ fourth national accreditation and concludes a series of events that began in February 2011 with a joint review of CES by TEAC and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). The CCTC review resulted in a seven-year award for six credential program areas.

Chapman University is the first higher education institution in California to receive national TEAC accreditation.  Donald N. Cardinal, Ph.D., dean of the College of Educational Studies, praised the quality work, commitment and contributions of the CES faculty, staff, university colleagues, administration, PK-12 partners, students, alumni and friends who assisted in the accreditation process, and in particular the efforts of Dianne Ferguson, Ph.D., director of program improvement and accreditation for the CES.

“This recognition affirms that Chapman University continues to offer school professional preparation programs that satisfy the very highest national standards,” said Dean Cardinal.  “The TEAC accreditation is a further step toward accomplishing the College of Educational Studies’ stated mission: to change the world through the development of critical scholarship and skillful leadership. We aim to nurture and groom education leaders who challenge convention and serve as change agents in both the classroom and society.” 

“This is wonderful news and another tribute to the extraordinary accomplishments of our College of Educational Studies,” said Daniele Struppa, Ph.D., chancellor of Chapman University.  “Dean Cardinal, his faculty and staff are to be commended for the remarkable work they do in the preparation of teachers and school administrators.”

Dean Cardinal added, “The motto of our College of Educational Studies – ‘Changing Education, Changing the World’ – means we acknowledge that much in education still needs changing, but that education does not stand alone.  It is part of the larger society, and our graduates, as K-12 teachers and as administrators and scholars, play a critical role in shaping that society.  This is why the TEAC national accreditation is so important to us — it verifies that our continued endeavors help develop authentic, sustained relationships with colleagues and students in our local community and around the world.  By embracing the process of program review and improvement, we continue to try and improve education as a whole.”

To achieve accreditation, CES completed a rigorous self-study as well as an on-campus academic audit conducted by TEAC members. For approval, TEAC requires that institutions meet high professional standards, engage in a continuous improvement plan, and demonstrate quality assurance through external review. Benefits of attaining accreditation include: a mark of quality, proven success for program improvement, and reciprocity and access to greater opportunities for graduates.