Accreditation
Accreditation is a process of external peer review in which institutions of higher learning are evaluated based on a comprehensive set of established standards and criteria. Accreditation is maintained through various state and national professional accrediting bodies. The process of program accreditation provides a means of continuous quality assurance and represents the ongoing dedication of the Orlean Beeson School of Education to provide effective, high-quality professional programs that meet the needs our communities.
Nationally Recognized Programs
Many of the educator preparation programs within the Orlean Beeson School of Education engage in an extensive peer review process conducted by Specialized Professional Associations (SPAs). SPAs review programs and award national recognition status to programs that meet national standards and benchmarks. Samford Orlean Beeson School of Education has more nationally recognized programs that any university in the state of Alabama.
Department of Teacher Education
- B.S.E. in ESEC* (Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education/Elementary /Elementary Collaborative)
- B.S.E. in Secondary Education (English)
- B.S.E. in Secondary Education (History/Social Studies)
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
- M.S.E. in Secondary English Education (Fifth-Year Alternative Route)
- M.S.E. in Secondary Social Studies Education (Fifth-Year Alternative Route)
- M.S.E. in Secondary Physical Education (Fifth-Year Alternative Route)
- M.S.E. in Elementary/Early Childhood Education** (Fifth-Year Alternative Route)
Department of Educational Leadership
- M.S.E. in Instructional Leadership
Programs that receive national recognition status are considered models for others to emulate across the country. We are thrilled that we have eleven academic programs — and counting — that have received this status.Dr. Diana Cheshire, Associate Dean for Assessment and Accreditation in the School of Education
Specialized Professional Associations
- ACEI (Elementary)
- NAEYC (Early Childhood)
- CEC (Special Education)
- NCTE (English)
- NCSS (Social Studies)
- ELCC (Educational Leadership)
- NASPE (Physical Education)
Questions can be directed to Dr. Diana Cheshire, Associate Dean of Accreditation and Assessment at dcheshir@samford.edu or to Mrs. Karen Bost, Data Manager at kgbost@samford.edu.
The accreditation of Educator Preparation Providers (EPPs) is granted by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Through its accreditation process, CAEP assures the quality of educator preparation and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning. The Orlean Beeson School of Education has long maintained its national accreditation through NCATE.
NCATE was subsumed by CAEP in 2013, such that CAEP is now the current accrediting body for EPPs. Following our most recent accreditation review and site visit in fall 2012, the Unit Accreditation Board determined that Orlean Beeson School of Education successfully met all NCATE standards at the initial teacher preparation and advanced preparation levels. This accreditation decision indicates that our institution and its programs meet the rigorous standards set forth by the professional education community and has maintained continued accreditation status. Our current accreditation extends through June 2020.
The human development and family science undergraduate degree program at Samford University has been reviewed by the National Council on Family Relations. It has been recognized as an NCFR CFLE–approved program offering coursework covering the content required for the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) designation. Graduates of NCFR CFLE–approved programs qualify to apply for the CFLE designation via an abbreviated application process. Learn more about our Human Development and Family Life Education department.
