Longwood University’s teacher preparation programs have received reaffirmation of accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), affirming that the programs are high-quality and meet rigorous national standards for educator preparation.
The announcement followed the CAEP Accreditation Council’s Spring 2026 review. Longwood was one of 39 institutions approved for accreditation during the review and received the highest level of accreditation with no areas for improvement and no stipulations. As a result of receiving the highest level of accreditation, Longwood was a recipient of the Frank Murray Award at the CAEP Fall 2026 conference in Arlington, Va.
“This recognition affirms the exceptional preparation Longwood provides future educators,” said Dr. Angela McDonald, dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Services. “CAEP accreditation demonstrates Longwood’s commitment to excellence, continuous improvement and preparing highly qualified teachers who are ready to meet the needs of today’s classrooms.”
CAEP accreditation is based on a rigorous, evidence-based review of educator preparation programs and is considered the gold standard in educator preparation. The review examines areas including content knowledge, pedagogy, clinical partnerships, candidate support, program impact and quality assurance. Institutions earning this distinction demonstrate they are producing graduates equipped to succeed in a rapidly evolving educational landscape.
“This CAEP recognition validates the quality of our teacher education program and reflects our dedication to preparing highly qualified, classroom-ready educators who positively impact K—12 student learning and development,” said Dr. Tara McDaniel, M.S. ’01, director of the Office of Teacher Preparation. “We are also very proud of the process that got us here. Our faculty, staff, alumni, school partners and employers all play an important role in helping us reflect, improve and strengthen our programs. That shared commitment to continuous improvement is what ensures our graduates are prepared to serve students and communities well.”
Longwood was previously accredited by CAEP in 2019. Fewer than 600 educator preparation providers across the country currently are accredited through CAEP.
“These providers meet high standards so that their students receive an education that prepares them to succeed in a diverse range of classrooms after they graduate,” said CAEP President Dr. Christopher Koch. “Seeking CAEP accreditation is a significant commitment on the part of an educator preparation provider.”
Longwood’s teacher preparation programs had been accredited for many years by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), which merged with another organization in 2014 to form CAEP. CAEP is now the only nationally recognized accrediting body for educator preparation. Accreditation is a nongovernmental, peer-review process designed both to assure quality and promote continuous improvement.
Longwood’s CAEP accreditation is valid through June 2033.
For more information about Longwood’s teacher education and school counseling programs, please visit https://www.longwood.edu/education/.