The Education Department at UNC Asheville recently announced that tit has earned an extension of national accreditation status from CAEP— the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

"To receive CAEP accreditation, UNCA’s Department of Education entered into a rigorous accreditation process examining all facets of teacher preparation through documentation and review," a UNCA press release stated.

“Together, our faculty, staff, alumni, partners, arts and sciences faculty, dean, and our students showcased the depth and breadth of our licensure programs,” the release quoted Nancy Ruppert, department of education chair and professor, as saying.

“We addressed the experience as an opportunity to tell our story, to highlight the collaborative relationships we share with our partner districts, our university colleagues, as well as organizations who also support young people in our region. CAEP acknowledging our program celebrates the dynamic faculty, staff, alumni, partnerships, and students who are committed to K-12 students. It is our gift to work with such an amazing network of compassionate, caring educators.“

The release added, "In September 2020, the CAEP Review Team conducted a review of the last seven years of accomplishments. The UNCA department of education was granted full accreditation with no stipulations from CAEP. This is the first time that UNCA has received this mark of excellence and achievement from CAEP. Prior to 2021, UNC Asheville was accredited by NCATE, which merged with CAEP in September of the same year.

"In addition to having full national accreditation, all of UNC Asheville's 21 teacher licensure programs are fully approved by the state of North Carolina. Education students at UNC Asheville enter the classroom upon graduation as teachers with a unique, comprehensive liberal arts and sciences background.

"This background is established by completing a major field of study coupled with teacher licensure, which gives licensure candidates the tools to be stronger, more effective teachers. In four years, candidates can graduate with both a bachelor’s degree in a specific subject and a teaching license, making them marketable in two areas," the UNCA release stated.