All North Dakota education programs must be reviewed on a seven-year cycle. Without this approval, the candidates would not be licensable in North Dakota. The ND ESPB governing board is responsible to continually review the North Dakota standards and procedures pertaining to licensure and program approval.
Program Accreditation provides additional recognition that the content and quality of the program has been evaluated and meets standards set by the profession. Students and their families can be assured that appropriate knowledge and skill areas are included and that the program is stable, both professionally and financially.
Our programs are state approved and nationally accredited.
ND Education Standards & Practices Board
Educator licensure in the state of North Dakota is regulated by the Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB). Information about the process of applying for licensure can be found at their website.
Note: Completion of academic degree programs in education does not guarantee licensure, certification, credentialing, or placement of our graduates. A graduate who seeks licensure, certification, and/or credentialing in any state or jurisdiction needs to check the specific requirements for that state or jurisdiction and, if needed, discuss the policies with their advisor or the certification officer. Additional information can be viewed on NDSU’s State Authorization and Program Licensure Disclosures websites.
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
The School of Education is currently accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). CAEP-accredited programs are reviewed against professionally approved standards, ensuring high-quality academic programs.
NDSU's Teacher Education programs have been granted full accreditation at the initial-licensure and advanced level. The initial licensure programs are: agricultural education, art, biological sciences, business, chemistry, comprehensive science, English, family and consumer sciences, health, mathematics, music (instrumental and/or vocal), physical education, physics, social stuides, and Spanish. The advanced level program is: educational leadership (principalship).
This accreditation status is effective between Fall 2019 and Fall 2026. The next site visit will take place in Spring 2026.
Art Education is accredited through the National Association of Schools of Art & Design https://nasad.arts-accredit.org/
Music Education is accredited through the National Association of Schools of Music https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/directory-lists/accredited-institutions/search/?id=I0803
CAEP Accountability Measures
Measure 1: Completer Effectiveness
Surveys are administered to graduates (completers) and their supervisors during their first year of employment. Results from the supervisor surveys consistently show that our graduates are effective in their roles. Excerpts from 2022-2023 surveys are below.
To what extent do you agree or disagree that NDSU prepared the first-year teacher to do the following?
Measure 2: Employer Satisfaction
To what extent do you agree or disagree that NDSU prepared the first-year teacher to do the following?
Measure 3: Candidate Competency at Completion
Our candidates average between 86% and 100% passing rate on all required licensure exams. These exams include Praxis Core Tests (measuring reading, writing, and math) and Praxis Subject Tests (including subject-specific content knowledge and teaching skills). Completing all licensure exams is required prior to the final clinical placement (student teaching).
Measure 4: Ability to be Hired in Education Positions
Surveys are administered to graduates (completers) during their first year of employment. According to the survey, 93% of 2022-2023 program completers applied for teaching positions mainly in North Dakota and Minnesota; in suburban and rural areas. Of those 87% accepted positions. The majority (88%) of the completers were employed full-time in an educational setting; 10% were employed part-time in an educational setting; and 2% were employed full-time in a field other than education.