About the College of Education

Saginaw Valley State University's College of Education offers programs in initial teacher certification, a variety of master's and specialist degree programs, special education administration approval programs, and a wide range of endorsement programs which are designed to provide quality educational opportunities for teachers and school leaders at the lowest tuition rate of any public university in Michigan.

College of Education Mission and Vision

Vision

The College of Education will become a key resource to the region and a leader in educator preparation.

Mission

The mission of the College of Education is to serve our regional, state, and global partners by preparing educators, surrounding them with collaborative learning communities, while fostering personal, academic, and professional growth through multiple, varied, and rigorous learning opportunities.

Dean's Welcome

Welcome to Saginaw Valley State University! The SVSU College of Education is a unique place, where engaged educators and administrators come to learn. We partner with colleagues across campus, in the government, education, and nonprofit sectors to leverage resources to make a difference. In partnership with local school districts and the surrounding communities, the College of Education faculty create excellent educational experiences and unique programs that address the needs of those communities.

Building on our place at the center of the Great Lakes Bay Region in Michigan, the College of Education strives to be a leader in transformative and multi-disciplinary education.

The faculty and staff in SVSU’s College of Education are committed to serving all students across the College, the University, and throughout the region. The personalized attention in the classroom, service learning, and study abroad opportunities, as well as our caring environment, allows for a high level of interaction between students and faculty. We aspire to be the best at what we do. Visit us, contact us, and get to know us.

Dr. James Tarr
Dean, College of Education

Accreditation

Saginaw Valley State University's initial and advanced teacher preparation programs were reviewed by CAEP (the national Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation), in 2023 and were awarded full accreditation in October 2023. The initial and advanced programs will remain accredited by CAEP through December 31, 2030. Our approved teacher preparation programs are shown on our website here.

SVSU's undergraduate and graduate programs are also approved by the Michigan Department of Education. The list of approved programs can also be found on the Michigan Department of Education's website at here.

Conceptual Framework

The infinity loop represents the College of Education’s mission to prepare effective educators who value constant GROWTH in their realm of expertise and in their ability to design instructional approaches and environments that impact student learning – educators who are perceived as RESOURCE PROVIDERS by students, parents, and colleagues.  College of Education graduates demonstrate LEADERSHIP in their schools and in their communities, and understand that forming PARTNERSHIPS with families and communities supports continuing GROWTH, and on and on.  The College of Education, itself, is continually growing its knowledge base to effectively serve as a resource to the education community, and continually honing its leadership skills in order to strengthen partnerships with all stakeholders.

Conceptual Framework 2022 (831KB)

Affiliations

Early Childhood Education

• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

Educational Leadership & Services

• Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA)
• National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)

CAEP Accountability

Welcome to the Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) Educator Preparation Provider (EPP) data website. The EPP is currently accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) through December 2030. CAEP has identified four (4) annual outcome and impact measures and requires all EPPs to provide data that can be easily accessed by interested parties. Additional information about the EPP is also provided.

Initial Accreditation recognition on the National Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) website

2016 Table of Initial Preparation Program Review S1H (307KB)

Michigan Department of Education Score Reports

The annual Educator Preparation Institution (EPI) Score Report issued by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is comprised of three measures: Michigan Tests for Teacher Certification subject area tests, survey data from candidates and university supervisors, and teacher effectiveness ratings for program completers.

• 2024 Educator Preparation Institution Score Report 
• 2023 Educator Preparation Institution Score Report (393KB)
• 2022 Educator Preparation Institution Score Report (389KB)
• 2021 Educator Preparation Institution Score Report (124KB)