School of Education

Message from the Dean

The teacher education preparation program at Spring Arbor University has been recognized since the inception of the teacher preparation institute (TPI) assessment in 2007 by the State of Michigan as being an exemplary program as measured by specific assessment indicators. This speaks well and appropriately for the program but does not fully speak to the level of commitment and sense of mission that our faculty, staff, and students share. We believe that becoming a teacher is more than a profession - it is a higher calling. Therefore, the foundation for every facet of the School of Education is our faith and commitment to serving our students well so that they can go into the world and serve their students well. Because of this commitment, our faculty and staff seek opportunities to build relationships with our students so that individual attention becomes the manner through which we model faithful excellence in every area of our profession.

Barbara Baird-Pauli
Dean, School of Education

School of Education Promise

As the State of Michigan makes changes regarding teacher evaluation, Spring Arbor University's SOE stands behind its promise to provide exemplary teacher preparation that will give graduates of both our undergraduate and graduate programs the solid footing that they'll need to meet the ever-changing expectations for teachers.  

Should one of our School of Education graduates receive an unsatisfactory performance evaluation within the first three years of employment, as verified by the graduate and their building administrator in writing, then the Promise will apply. Under the Promise, the SAU School of Education graduate may enroll in up to three SOE classes tuition-free** (1-9 credit hours), provided that the class has sufficient enrollment to run without the inclusion of Promise graduates. 

Promise graduates would be required to work with a mentor as part of fulfilling their responsibility for taking these course(s). Any graduate* from one of our School of Education initial certification programs will be covered under this Promise if they have taught full-time for at least one full academic year.

The Promise provides this opportunity for the period of one year following the initial unsatisfactory performance evaluation under which the claim is made.

No other opportunities beyond this are covered by the Promise.

*Eligibility: A Spring Arbor University School of Education graduate, for the purposes of the Promise, is defined as a person who graduated from SAU's School of Education with Michigan Department of Education initial certification.

**Costs not covered by Promise. Course fees, tech fees, and textbooks/resource materials costs are the completer's responsibility.

The standards for admission to the SOE include those for admission to Spring Arbor University as well as other criteria specified by the SOE. Admission to the SOE is determined by a two-thirds vote, made by the education faculty present at the meeting at which the candidate is considered.

Students are held accountable to the policies and procedures outlined in the handbook in use at the time of application. Current handbooks are available at the SOE Office. Students will refer to the course requirements outlined in the academic catalog in use at their time of entry to SAU as they plan for graduation. Michigan Department of Education Administrative Rules, state laws and changes in the requirements of accreditation bodies (such as CAEP) supersede any requirements printed in the catalog or student handbook.

 

Faculty

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Accreditations

HLC Accreditation

Higher Learning Commission (HLC) All degrees offered by Spring Arbor University are accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604.

Accreditation

The Michigan Department of Education The School of Education at Spring Arbor University is approved by the Michigan Department of Education for certification in Michigan in the subject areas listed here. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) federal legislation may affect the subjects which a certified teacher is qualified to teach. The School of Education will have the most recent information available through the Michigan Department of Education regarding this federal legislation. Students planning to be certified in other states should consult with the certification officer in the School of Education office early in the program. Students desiring Michigan certification are responsible for meeting all certification requirements of the Michigan Department of Education and the State Board of Education, whether or not they are explicitly stated in this Web site or other University publications.

Accreditation

U.S. Department of Education Title II The program complies with the U.S. Department of Education Title II, Section 207 reporting procedures. Copies of the most recent or earlier reports are available upon request.

Accreditation

The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) recognizes the School of Education at Spring Arbor University as a fully accredited educator preparation program. The next CAEP accreditation visit will occur in spring of 2025.

CAEP conducted an initial program (traditional undergraduate) accreditation visit of the Spring Arbor University School of Education in the fall of 2018. The site team reviewed the School of Education's initial programs for Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Early Childhood Education, and Special Education. In addition, CAEP recognizes the CACREP accreditation for the Masters of Counseling program with a School Counseling component as the EPP's only Advance program. The fall 2018 review by the CAEP Accreditation Council resulted in Spring Arbor University and 52 other providers from 27 states and Puerto Rico to receive accreditation for their education preparation programs.

Spring Arbor University joins a total of 196 other educator preparation providers nationwide to receive CAEP Accreditation. The School of Education CAEP Annual Report and TITLE 1 Report can be viewed here: https://sites.arbor.edu/soe/accreditation/

Recognition

Education College of Distinction

SAU was recognized as an Education College of Distinction for the last five years!

Most Affordable Online M.Ed. in Michigan!

Teacher Certification Degrees ranked SAU's Master of Education program the #1 Most Affordable Online M.Ed. in Michigan!

Named a Top Teacher Prep Program

SAU’s elementary education program was named one of the nation’s top teacher prep programs in the book Start Here to Become a Teacher from the National Council on Teacher Quality.

Headshot of male student standing outside with trees in the background.

What our students say about the School of Education

The School of Education at Spring Arbor University has helped me towards my career goal to impact the lives of young children through its deep connections with alumni and faculty in the Jackson area. I feel confident that after I graduate, I will still have these connections to mentor and guide me in the right direction.

Aidin Jackson, Elementary Education, Class of 2027