Check Out the Newest Programs That Earned National Recognition from CEC (Fall 2025)
National Recognition from the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is a designation granted to programs that have demonstrated compliance with the rigorous CEC Standards for the preparation of special education professionals. Programs may seek CEC National Recognition only if they are also pursuing CAEP Accreditation. Programs use their National Recognition status as evidence of CAEP Accreditation to demonstrate that their candidates have the content knowledge of the specialty area in which they will be licensed to practice.
Educator preparation programs that wish to demonstrate program quality but are not engaged in CAEP Accreditation, such as programs in states that do not require CAEP, smaller programs, and private universities, should consider pursuing accreditation directly from CEC. CEC Accreditation is an exclusive opportunity for special education programs to seek accreditation directly from the definitive leader of professional preparation standards for special educators.
The following programs earned National Recognition from the Council for Exceptional Children during the Fall 2025 report cycle:
| Coastal Carolina University Spadoni College of Education and Social Sciences (SC) | Special Education Special Education, B-Age 8 |
| Duquesne University School of Education | Special Education |
| Fairfield University School of Education and Human Development | Special Education |
| Gallaudet University Professional Education Program (PEP) | Deaf Education |
| Georgia College and State University - The John H. Lounsbury College of Education (GA) | Special Education - General Curriculum Special Education - MAT General Curriculum |
| Marian University Educator Preparation Program | Exceptional Needs Mild Intervention (Post Baccalaureate) Exceptional Needs-Mild Intervention |
| National-Louis University National College of Education and Undergraduate College | Special Education (MAT) |
| Stephen F. Austin State University James I. Perkins College of Education | Special Education (Grades EC-12) |
| Taylor University Department of Education | Exceptional Needs- Mild (P-12) |
| The Pennsylvania State University College of Education | Special Education Baccalaureate Special Education Masters |
| Indiana University Southeast School of Education | Gifted and Talented Education |
| University of Central Arkansas College of Education | Gifted and Talented (K12) |
A full listing of Nationally Recognized programs can be found on CAEP’s website. For additional questions or information related to CEC’s standards, accreditation, or national recognition processes, please contact Amy Stevens, Senior Director, Professional Development & Standards, at [email protected].