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Check Out the Newest Programs Who Earned National Recognition from CEC (Spring 2025)

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 2025 report cycle:

Special Education K-12 MSE (Master’s)Arkansas State University

Administration: Director of Exceptional Needs (Master’s)

Gifted and Talented Education (Post Baccalaureate)

Ball State University

City Teaching Alliance Special Education (Master’s)  

City Teaching Alliance Early Childhood Special Education (Master’s)

City Teaching Alliance

Special Education (Baccalaureate)

Special Education (Teacher Residency-Master’s)

Clemson University

Special Education-Mentally and Physically Handicapped (Post Baccalaureate)

Special Education-Mentally and Physically Handicapped (Baccalaureate)

Special Education-Visual Impairment (Post Baccalaureate)

Special Education-Visual Impairment (Baccalaureate)

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Multi-categorical Special Education (Endorsement Only)  

Multi-categorical Special Education (Master’s)

Marshall University

Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments: EC-12 (Endorsement Only)  

Deaf and Hard of Hearing: EC-12 (Baccalaureate)  

Educational Diagnostician: EC-12 (Master’s)

Stephen F. Austin State University

Special Education K-12 (Bachelors)  

Special Education K-12 (Masters)  

Special Education K-12 (MED)  

Special Education K-12 (Post Baccalaureate)  

University of Alaska Southeast

Undergraduate in Special Education-Mild Intervention  

Post-Baccalaureate in Special Education-Mild Intervention  

Post-Baccalaureate in Special Education-Intense Intervention

University of Saint Francis
Special Education-Severe (MAT)University of South Carolina 
Special Education (Baccalaureate)University of South Caroline-Aiken  
Early Childhood Special Education (Baccalaureate)University of the District of Columbia

 

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]

Posted:  12 August, 2025

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