Ohio Wesleyan University Education Department Nationally Accredited by NCATE

October 31, 2006

The Ohio Wesleyan University education department has been granted accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) — a benchmark for high standards not easily achieved by smaller universities.

NCATE is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the accrediting body for colleges and universities that prepare teachers for work in elementary and secondary schools. Through its peer review process, NCATE ensures that accredited institutions produce competent, committed, and professional teachers who possess the necessary knowledge, skills and dispositions to help all students learn.

According to Amy McClure, chairperson and professor of education at OWU, the university is already accredited by the state of Ohio, but “the NCATE recognition is a giant leap for Ohio Wesleyan because it is extremely difficult for small schools to achieve that accreditation,” she said. “NCATE has very high standards that apply to large universities with many people working toward accreditation.”

McClure said the accreditation process took five years to complete. To receive national accreditation, the OWU education department had to meet the following six standards: candidate knowledge, skills and dispositions; assessment system and unit evaluation; field experiences and clinical practice; diversity; faculty qualifications, performance and development; and unit governance and resources.

“This accreditation gives us something tangible to show the world that Ohio Wesleyan has strong programs,” McClure said. “We didn’t change the education program at Ohio Wesleyan — we showcased it — and NCATE agreed we are very good.”