The University of Tampa Department of Education’s reputation for curricular quality and real-world results sets it apart among education programs, providing students with a respected degree that serves them throughout their careers. The education department develops students into teachers who are prepared to create compelling learning environments, both in the state of Florida and at the national level.

The Department of Education earned accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the standards of which are rigorous, nationally recognized and developed to ensure excellence in educator preparation programs. Educator preparation providers seeking accreditation must pass peer review on five standards, which are based on two principles:

1. Solid evidence that the provider’s graduates are competent and caring educators, and
2. Solid evidence that the provider’s teacher-educator faculty have the capacity to create a culture of evidence and use it to maintain and enhance the quality of the professional programs they offer.

UT was granted accreditation for the maximum amount of time given — seven years — across all six of its undergraduate teacher preparation programs.

CAEP is the sole accrediting body for educator preparation nationally recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Accreditation is a nongovernmental activity based on peer review that serves the dual functions of assuring quality and promoting improvement. CAEP was created by the consolidation of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council. It is a unified accreditation system intent on raising the performance of all institutions focused on educator preparation. Approximately 720 educator preparation providers participate in the CAEP Accreditation system, including some previously accredited through former standards.