The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education unit accreditation board granted accreditation to the education division of the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu. NCATE is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that helps establish high quality teacher preparation.
The NCATE accreditation process establishes rigorous standards for teacher education programs, ensures that schools demonstrate the quality of their programs, and holds institutions accountable for meeting these standards in order to receive professional accreditation.
“We are very excited about the good news from NCATE,” said Mary F. Heller, professor and chair of the education division at UH West Oʻahu. “We have emerged ever confident in our ability to prepare highly qualified teachers to serve Hawaiʻi’s elementary school students.”
“UH West Oʻahu is committed to offering a quality educational experience for Hawaiʻi’s future teachers,” said former UH West Oʻahu Chancellor Gene I. Awakuni. “NCATE’s recognition of our education division is due to Dr. Mary Heller and her team’s efforts to provide teacher education at the university that achieves the highest standards.”
UH West Oʻahu offers a Bachelor of Education degree with a concentration in elementary education, and prepares knowledgeable, skillful, responsive educators for a global society. Studies encompass an innovative, field-based teacher preparation program, as well as public service activities that support West Oʻahu communities. Students participate in more than 200 hours of field-based coursework with the program culminating in a 15-week, full-time professional student teaching semester.
