FDU Earns National AAQEP Accreditation of Educator Preparation Programs
January 12, 2026 – Teaneck, NJ – The Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) has awarded full 7-year accreditation to the educator preparation programs at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
After reviewing the evidence collected through a process of self-study and peer review, the AAQEP Accreditation Commission issued the decision at its December 2025 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. Fairleigh Dickinson University demonstrates its ongoing commitment to candidate success and program quality through its purposeful selection of measures, analysis of evidence of its effectiveness, and ongoing reflection and revision. It engages with stakeholders and partners to strengthen the P-20 education system. The Commission reviewed the provider’s plans for ongoing growth and improvement, based on the findings of the self-study, and affirms the intentions presented.
“Congratulations to Fairleigh Dickinson University 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. “These programs are directly strengthening the P-20 education system through their efforts to identify and meet state and local educator workforce needs.”
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.
“The Sammartino School of Education at FDU is proud to have its educator preparation programs accredited by AAQEP,” said Kate Spence, Director of The Sammartino School of Education. “This rigorous, collaborative process affirms our commitment to continuous improvement and strengthens our ability to prepare highly effective, well-qualified educators for today’s classrooms.”
University leadership echoed this sentiment, commending the faculty and administrators whose collective efforts made the accreditation possible.
“I am very proud of all our Sammartino School faculty and leadership for the excellence of their work in all our School of Education programs. I’m grateful to our Sammartino School faculty, especially Dr. Melissa Smith, and our Sammartino School director, Dr. Kate Spence, for their leadership of the self-study project and the entire accreditation process,” said Benjamin Rifkin, University Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Fairleigh Dickinson University is a globally recognized private institution of higher education committed to academic excellence, innovation and professional preparation. With campuses in New Jersey and beyond, FDU offers a wide array of programs that prepare students to excel in their fields while making meaningful contributions to society. In 2023, the University created FDU Health to combine and expand its health science and health-related programs and to nurture new initiatives in the classroom, throughout the campuses and in the community to support health and wellness. This year, FDU HealthPath Forward was unveiled to foster partnerships, innovation and collaboration to improve healthcare delivery and to build models of health and well-being on campus and beyond. Visit fdu.edu for more information.
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.