University of Saint Mary Education Programs Receive Reaffirmation and New Accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

(Leavenworth, Kansas) – The University of Saint Mary has received a reaffirmation of its initial programs in teacher education and accreditation for its Master of Arts in School Counseling. This accreditation acknowledges that USM’s teacher education and school counseling programs meet rigorous state and national standards for educator preparation.

“CAEP accreditation affirms USM’s commitment to evidence-based excellence, continuous improvement, and accountability in educator preparation,” said Dr. Cheryl Reding, who serves as chair of the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Education Programs. “This recognition validates the quality of our teacher education and school counseling programs and reflects our dedication to preparing highly qualified, classroom-ready educators who positively impact P–12 student learning and development. The accreditation process also strengthens our data-informed decision-making and quality assurance systems while reinforcing our valued partnerships with P–12 schools and the broader community.”

CAEP is a nationally recognized accrediting body for educator preparation. Accreditation is a nongovernmental activity based on peer review that serves the dual functions of assuring quality and promoting improvement. Educator preparation providers seeking accreditation must pass a peer review of the CAEP standards, which are based on two principles:

• Solid evidence that the provider’s graduates are competent and caring educators, and


• Solid evidence that the provider’s educator staff have the capacity to create a culture of evidence and use it to maintain and enhance the quality of the professional programs they offer.

For more information about USM’s teacher education and school counseling programs, please visit https://www.stmary.edu/teacher-education.

About the CAEP

The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (www.CAEPnet.org) advances excellence in educator preparation through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning.