Published on December 4, 2012 by Dr. Jodi Newton  

Samford’s OBB School of Education and Professional Studies has proven its commitment to producing quality teachers and school leaders by achieving a highly positive preliminary report regarding re-accreditation under the standards of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the State Department of Education, the organizations responsible for professional accreditation of teacher education. The faculty and staff expect full re-accreditation following the professional visit.

According to NCATE, teacher candidates must have in-depth knowledge of the subject matter they plan to teach as well as the skills necessary to convey it so that students learn. The university must assess this knowledge and skill to determine that candidates may graduate. Candidates must be prepared to understand and work with diverse student populations. University faculty must model effective teaching practices. And the university must have the resources necessary to prepare candidates to meet new standards.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.