Education Accreditation

Utah Tech University Education Department (Elementary Education and Secondary Education) is nationally accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

(2023, St. George, Utah) – The Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) has awarded full 7-year accreditation to the elementary and secondary licensure programs at Utah Tech University.

After reviewing the evidence collected through a process of self-study and peer review, the AAQEP Accreditation Commission issued the decision at its June 2 meeting along with the following rationale:

The Commission evaluated the program’s evidence for each AAQEP standard and determined that all four standards are met. The program prepares candidates to work effectively as professional educators who can adapt to different contexts and continue to grow professionally. Faculty members’ close connections with local schools facilitate effective mentoring of candidates in light of school needs.

Utah Tech University’s Department of Education maintains quality in its education programs by analyzing evidence of their effectiveness and making revisions to benefit candidates. The depth of reflective engagement with evidence of candidate and program performance results in synergistic improvements. The program engages with stakeholders and partners to strengthen the P-20 education system and to inclusively engage diverse local communities.

“Congratulations to Utah Tech University and to all of the faculty, staff, and stakeholders who have achieved their goal of national accreditation by AAQEP,” said AAQEP President and CEO Mark LaCelle-Peterson. “The program faculty’s close relationship with local partner schools ensures that candidates are both well supported and able to meet the educational needs of the community.”

National accreditation assures the quality of professional preparation programs through a nongovernmental, nonregulatory process of self-study and peer review. This standards- and evidence-based process serves two broad aims: accountability and continuous improvement. The AAQEP model is also designed to honor local context and foster innovation and collaboration among institutions. AAQEP currently has members in 35 states and other jurisdictions with some 190 educator preparation providers participating in the accreditation system.

About AAQEP

Founded in 2017, AAQEP is a membership association and quality assurance agency that provides accreditation services and formative support to all types of educator preparation providers. The organization promotes excellent, effective, and innovative educator preparation that is committed to evidence-based improvement in a collaborative professional environment. AAQEP is nationally recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Visit aaqep.org