National Accreditation and Recognition
UMBC Earns National Accreditation of Teacher Preparation Programs
(July 11, 2025, Baltimore, MD) – The Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) has awarded 5-year initial accreditation to the teacher preparation programs at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
The following initial preparation programs were included in the AAQEP accreditation review:
Undergraduate Programs: Middle Grades STEM, Art, PreK-12, Biology, 7-12, Chemistry, 7-12, Dance, PreK-12, Early Childhood Education, PreK-3, Earth Space Science, 7-12, Elementary Education, 1-6, English, 7-12, French, PreK-12, German, PreK-12, Latin, PreK-12, Mathematics, 7-12, Music, PreK-12, Instrumental, Vocal, Physical Science, 7-12, Physics, 7-12, Social Studies, 7-12, Social Studies/Geography, 7-12, Social Studies/History, 7-12, Spanish, PreK-12, Theater, 7-12
Master of Arts in Teaching Programs: Art, PreK-12, Biology, 7-12, Chemistry, 7-12, Dance, PreK-12, Early Childhood Education, PreK-3, Earth Space Science, 7-12, Elementary Education, 1-6, English, 7-12, English for Speakers of Other Languages, PreK-12, French, PreK-12, German, PreK-12, Latin, PreK-12, Mathematics, 7-12, Music, PreK-12, Instrumental, Vocal, Physics, 7-12, Social Studies, 7-12, Social Studies/Geography, 7-12, Social Studies/History, 7-12, Spanish, PreK-12, Technology Education, 7-12, Theater, 7-12
After reviewing the evidence collected through a process of self-study and peer review, the AAQEP Accreditation Commission issued the decision at its July 11 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. The University of Maryland Baltimore County maintains program quality by analyzing evidence of its effectiveness and making revisions to benefit candidates, with a strong commitment to continuous improvement. It engages with stakeholders and partners and exhibits a strong commitment to strengthening the P-20 education system. The Commission has reviewed and affirmed the provider’s plans for ongoing growth and improvement.
“Congratulations to UMBC 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’s commitment to the success of its graduates and of Maryland’s schools is supported by its culture of continuous improvement.”
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 to foster innovation and collaboration among institutions.
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 and is currently operating in 37 states and other jurisdictions, with over 200 educator preparation providers participating in the accreditation system. Visit aaqep.org for more information.