The Hastings College Teacher Education Department and program has achieved dual accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE). This national and state-level recognition affirms the program’s outstanding commitment to preparing high-quality, effective teachers for today’s classrooms.
The accreditation, which lasts for seven years, concludes a rigorous, nearly year-and-a-half process that involved a comprehensive self-study and a multi-day, on-site visit by CAEP and NDE reviewers in April 2025.
“We are excited to have achieved dual accreditation from CAEP and the NDE, affirming our education preparation program’s outstanding commitment to preparing highly effective teachers,” said Dr. Darci Karr, professor of teacher education and chair of the department. “CAEP accreditation is the gold standard for educator preparation, assuring our students and their future employers that our program meets rigorous national standards for quality. This process confirmed the strength of our clinical placements, our commitment to continuous improvement, and the unwavering dedication of our faculty to student success.”
The review team specifically commended the program’s Teacher Education Policy Committee, which includes department faculty, a partner school administrator, students and other key stakeholders. Reviewers praised it as an outstanding example of collaboration and co-creation, confirming that stakeholder engagement is key to the program’s quality and success.
“This accreditation is a testament to the dedication of our faculty and the quality of the program they’ve built,” said Dr. Wayne Riggs, vice president for academic affairs and academic dean. “The success of this comprehensive review, particularly the recognition of their collaborative approach, demonstrates that Hastings College is committed to not just meeting, but exceeding the standards required to develop the next generation of highly-skilled educators for Nebraska and beyond.”
Hastings College’s essential field-based program, which allows candidates to gain crucial experience in area schools, was also highlighted as central to preparing effective teachers. The department credits its valuable partnerships with area schools and the dedicated mentor teachers for the success of its practical training.
“This crucial step for preparing effective teachers simply would not exist without the generous willingness of these schools to accept our candidates into their classrooms and the dedicated teachers who serve as mentors,” Karr said. “We are grateful for the commitment of the indispensable partners, as they are central to our ability to focus on effective teacher standards and train the next generation of teachers.”
The accreditation is not just a destination, but a commitment to continuous improvement.
“We employ a quality assurance system to annually review candidate and completer data, ensuring we are constantly evolving to prepare the most effective and highly-skilled teachers,” Karr said.
About CAEP
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (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. CAEP-accredited providers, like Hastings College, must pass peer review of the CAEP standards, which are based on solid evidence that graduates are competent and caring educators and that the program’s staff have the capacity to create a culture of evidence and use it to maintain and enhance the quality of professional programs.
Hastings College is a four-year residential college that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. Founded in 1882, the College is dedicated to student success and service to the community. Discover more at hastings.edu.