EMU Today

YPSILANTI – The Eastern Michigan University College of Education received an almost perfect score (99.84 out of 100) and was named the number one education and teaching program in the nation for 2017, according to the Community for Accredited Online Schools. Of the 50 four-year schools that were ranked, Eastern Michigan University secured the top spot.

“There is always a steady demand for well-educated, qualified teachers,” said Doug Jones, CEO and founder of AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org. “These schools have demonstrated strength in their teaching and education degree programs, with curriculum and resources that set their students up for future success running a classroom.”

Eastern’s first-place ranking cites the number of programs, the low teacher to student ratio, and the affordability of the programs as reasons for the top rating.

College of Education Dean Micheal Sayler said, “Eastern Michigan is renowned for the attention our faculty and staff give individual students, the many opportunities students have to work in schools prior to student teaching, and our graduates’ excellence in stepping into their classroom on the first day of their first position and being ready to teach and manage the classroom very well.”

The entry also noted:

• Eastern’s College of Education confers bachelor's, master's and doctorate education degrees, with several degree programs offered online.

• Accreditation for the school's education programs is from the Council for Accreditation of Educator Programs (CAEP – Formerly NCATE). All educator preparation programs at Eastern are also accredited by the Michigan Department of Education.

• Speech pathology and counseling students gain firsthand experience at on-campus and off-campus clinics. While working in the clinics, EMU’s students work with both children and adults.

To earn a spot on the “Best” programs list, each college and university must be an institutionally accredited, public or private not-for-profit entity. Each school is also considered based on such criteria as student/teacher ratios, employment services, student resources, graduation rates and financial aid availability.

In describing itself, AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org notes it was founded in 2011 to provide students and parents with quality data and information about pursuing an affordable, quality education that has been certified by an accrediting agency.

“Our community resource materials and tools span topics such as college accreditation, financial aid, opportunities available to veterans, people with disabilities, as well as online learning resources,” the service’s description says. “We feature higher education institutions that have developed online learning programs that include highly trained faculty, new technology and resources, and online support services to help students achieve educational success.”

For more details on where each school falls in the rankings and the data and methodology used to determine the lists, visit the Community for Accredited Online Schools rankings page.

For information about the EMU College of Education, visit the COE programs website.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest university in Michigan. It currently serves 22,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.