Orlean Beeson School of Education’s Secondary Mathematics master’s program for alternative Class A certification received national recognition status on its submission to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Specialized Profession Association. This addition brings the total number of nationally recognized certification programs to 12 for Samford’s education school; the highest number of nationally recognized programs in the state of Alabama.
“Receiving national recognition with no conditions is practically unheard of in math,” said Jeanelle Day, curriculum and instruction department chair.
The master’s program for alternative Class A certification is a graduate level teacher education program designed for candidates who hold a baccalaureate degree in any field but do not yet hold a teaching certificate. The program is rigorous, but results in a master’s of education degree and eligibility for an Alabama Class B and Class A teaching certification upon completion.
Samford’s education school has 12 certification programs that are nationally recognized by their respective specialized professional association with no conditions.
Samford’s nationally recognized academic programs include:
- M.S.E. in Early Childhood, Special Education, Elementary, Elementary Collaborative is recognized by the Association of Childhood Elementary International and the National Association of Education for Young Children
- M.S.E. in Secondary English Language Arts is recognized by the National Council of Teachers of English
- M.S.E. in Secondary History and General Social Science is recognized by the National Council for Social Studies
- M.S.E. in Early Childhood/Elementary Education (Alt. A) is recognized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and by the Association for Childhood Education International
- M.S.E. in Secondary Physical Education (Alt. A) is recognized by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education
- M.S.E. in Secondary English Language Arts (Alt. A) is recognized by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
- M.S.E. in Secondary Mathematics (Alt A) is recognized by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
- M.S.E in Gifted Education is recognized by the National Association for Gifted Children/Council for Exceptional Children
- M.S.E. in Instructional Leadership is recognized by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council
- M.S.E. in Instructional Leadership is recognized by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council
Upon submission, programs undergo a rigorous external review and are assessed on the quality of the curriculum, faculty and students as aligned with a national set of established standards and criteria. Preparing reports for submission can take years and often the submissions require multiple revisions before national recognition is awarded.
It is common for education programs to receive national recognition with conditions. If the conditions are met, the school can resubmit for full national recognition.
The education school had two certification programs recognized on their first submission and seven programs recognized in their first response to conditions. “This was a massive team effort and we are incredibly proud of the results,” said Monique Gardner Witherspoon, assistant dean for Orlean Beeson School of Education.
The education school hopes to have all certification programs nationally recognized.
“We are proud that these 12 programs surpass the high level of instruction set by national standards and guidelines,” said Witherspoon.
All recognized programs are listed on the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) website as well as the National Specialized Professional Association websites.
The school has been accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) since 1954.