Check Out the Newest Programs Who Earned National Recognition from CEC
National Recognition from the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is a designation granted by CEC that is earned by programs that have demonstrated meeting the rigorous CEC Standards for the preparation of special education professionals. Programs may seek CEC National Recognition only if they are also engaged in pursuing CAEP Accreditation. Programs use their National Recognition status as evidence for CAEP Accreditation to demonstrate that its candidates have the content knowledge of the specialty area they will be licensed to practice.
Educator preparation programs who 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 Spring 2023 report cycle:
| Special Education Program | Anderson University (IN) |
| Special Education Program | Anderson University (SC) |
| K-6 Multi Categorical BD, MI, SLD (excluding autism) Program | Bluefield State University (WV) |
| Intervention Specialist Program | Capital University School of Education (OH) |
| Multicategorical Special Education | Marshall University (WV) |
| Special Education Program | Moreland University TEACH-NOW Graduate School of Education (DC) |
| Special and Elementary Education (BSED) Program Special Education Mild/Moderate Disabilities Certified (MED) Program |
Northern Arizona University (AZ) |
| Special Education: Learning Behavior Specialist 1, Graduate Program Special Education: Learning Behavior Specialist 1, Undergraduate Program |
Northern Illinois University (IL) |
| Mild Intervention Program | Saint Mary’s College (IN) |
| Special Education Program | The University of Oklahoma College of Education (OK) |
| Mild Intervention Elementary Program | University of Indianapolis (IN) |
| Post-Baccalaureate in Special Education, Intense Intervention Program Post-Baccalaureate in Special Education, Mild Intervention Program Undergraduate in Special Education, Mild Intervention Program |
University of Saint Francis Department of Education (IN) |
| Special Education Teacher Licensure Program (Undergraduate) Special Education Teacher Licensure Program (Graduate) |
University of Saint Joseph Department of Education, School of Arts, Sciences, Business and Education (SASBE) (CT) |
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 Brad Duncan, Director of Standards and Accreditation, at bduncan@exceptionalchildren.org.