Accreditation Information

CAEP accredited institution

In 1997, all College of Education teacher preparation programs were approved by the Florida Department of Education and have been reapproved every five years. In March 2012 the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) reviewed our programs, and awarded accreditation for initial teacher preparation and advanced educational programs. In 2013, NCATE merged with the Teacher Education Accreditation Council to form the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The College of Education is a CAEP accredited institution.

The College of Education at FGCU is hosting an accreditation visit by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) on March 30 - April 1, 2026. Interested parties are invited to submit third-party comments to the evaluation team. Please note that comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of professional education programs offered, and should specify the party’s relationship to the provider (i.e., graduate, present or former faculty member, employer of graduates).

We invite you to submit written testimony to:

CAEP
1140 19th Street NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
Or by email to: callforcomments@caepnet.org

Such comments must be within the specified period and based on the core tenets of CAEP accreditation standards of excellence, which recognize that:

In CAEP’s performance-based system, accreditation is based on evidence that demonstrates that teacher candidates know the subject matter and can teach it effectively so that students learn. In the CAEP system, EPPs must prove that candidates can connect theory to practice and be effective in an actual P-12 classroom

A professional education provider that is accredited by CAEP is expected to be involved in ongoing planning and evaluation; engaged in continuous assessment and development; ensure that faculty and programs reflect new knowledge, practice, and technologies; and be involved in continuous development in response to the evolving world of education and educational reform.

Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of professional education programs offered, and should specify the respondent’s relationship, if any, to the institution (i.e., graduate, present or former faculty member, employer of graduates). Copies of all correspondence received will be sent to the university for comment prior to the review.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
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The Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
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In 1997, all College of Education teacher preparation programs were approved by the Florida Department of Education and have been reapproved every five years. In March 2012 the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) reviewed our programs, and awarded accreditation for initial teacher preparation and advanced educational programs. In 2013, NCATE merged with the Teacher Education Accreditation Council to form the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The College of Education is a CAEP accredited institution.

In 2019, our programs were reviewed by CAEP and awarded accreditation through the 2025-2026 academic year. CAEP accredited programs include are the six majors in the Florida State approved Initial Teacher Preparation (ITP) program; Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Secondary Math Education, Secondary Social Science Education, and Secondary Biology Education. In addition, our state approved Educator Preparation Institution (EPI), locally called the Teacher Immersion Program (TIP) was also reviewed and accredited by CAEP.

Through CAEP accreditation, the College of Education seeks to foster a model of continuous improvement and advance innovative practices. The mission of CAEP is to advance excellent educator preparation through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning.

Our stellar education faculty, programs and school partnerships, our emphasis on rigorous entrance requirements, small classes, field experiences across urban, suburban, and rural schools, as well as assessments linked to best practices all contribute to making the College of Education distinct. We are committed to preparing highly qualified candidates who are competent to serve in diverse communities.

The College of Education has enjoyed a long and rich history of preparing high-quality teaching professionals. To learn more about CAEP, visit http://www.caepnet.org.
Florida Department of Education (FLDOE)
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- FLDOE (http://www.fldoe.org/)
- Program Approval
Statute and Rule:
- Statute 1004.04 (The Florida Senate - http://flsenate.gov/)
- Rule 6A-5.066 (https://www.flrules.org)
Annual Report for the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation:
- Eight Reporting Measures

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