Secondary education program ranked #2 in the nation

Janel Shoun-Smith | 

Lipscomb’s University’s secondary education program ranked #2 in the nation, graduate elementary program ranked #14

See The Tennessean article on this year's ranking

See the U.S. News and World Report article on this year's ranking

Lipscomb University’s undergraduate secondary education and graduate elementary education programs have been ranked among the very top teacher preparation programs in the nation in the second annual Teacher Prep Review by the National Council on Teacher Quality.

  • The College of Education’s undergraduate secondary program was ranked #2 in the nation.
  • The college’s graduate elementary program was ranked #14 in the nation.
  • Of the 1,668 programs ranked in the review, only 26 elementary programs and only 81 secondary programs scored high enough to be included among the top-ranked schools.
  • Lipscomb University was one of only 10 programs nationwide (the only one in Tennessee) to have both its elementary and secondary programs included in the top-ranked list.
  • Lipscomb’s scores earned it the top ranking in the NCTQ’s Southern region.
  • Tennessee was one of the top three states with the most programs listed in the top-ranked listings.
  • Lipscomb’s programs outranked Tennessee universities such as Vanderbilt, Middle Tennessee State, Tennessee Technological and East Tennessee State universities.

“The 2014 ranking is certainly an affirmation of the good work we are doing at Lipscomb. It also confirms that last year’s top ranking was not a one time occurrence as we strive for continuous improvement,” said Candice McQueen, Lipscomb senior vice president and dean of the College of Education. “All of our education programs are based on excellence and practicality so it is very rewarding to be recognized for these foundations.”

The NCTQ Teacher Prep review is designed to be a consumer tool designed to help aspiring teachers choose the best program and for school districts to hire the teachers best prepared for the classroom, said NCTQ president Kate Walsh on Tuesday.

“Lipscomb understands that its job is to prepare teachers to be ready for the classroom,” Walsh said. “Believe it or not, the higher education field is not altogether clear that that is its job. There is a very confusing signal being sent out there. In the long run, we think that all programs will be more like Lipscomb’s.”

To see the entire NCTQ Teacher Prep review click here.
 

About the Lipscomb University College of Education

Lipscomb University’s College of Education is a known leader and innovator in education in the state of Tennessee. Teaching was one of the first majors established at Lipscomb (started in 1891), and it was the first program to be accredited at Lipscomb. The College of Education, named by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission's Teacher Preparation Program Report Card as one of the best in the state at preparing teachers, is a leader in the movement to support educational progress in Tennessee.

The COE offers undergraduate and graduate programs that enable candidates to teach in 24 different subject areas with students from kindergarten to high school. More than 500 students are currently enrolled in graduate and undergraduate education programs at Lipscomb and at three off-campus sites. The college’s programs are fully accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Tennessee State Board of Education.