Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation

National accreditation assures the quality of professional preparation programs through a nongovernmental, nonregulatory process of self-study and peer review. This standards- and evidence-based process serves two broad aims: accountability and continuous improvement. In AAQEP’s system, the process is also designed to honor local context and foster innovation and collaboration among institutions.

Founded in 2017, AAQEP is a quality assurance agency that provides accreditation services to all types of educator preparation providers. The association promotes excellent, effective and innovative educator preparation that is committed to evidence-based improvement and that enjoys a high degree of community engagement and public confidence. Visit aaqep.org for more information.

Higher Learning Commission

HLC logoThe Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region.

The HLC mission statement is “Serving the common good by assuring and advancing the quality of higher learning.”

Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board

PESLB LogoThe Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) has approved programs at Bemidji State University leading to teacher licensure in a variety of areas. PELSB, formerly the Minnesota Board of Teaching, provides leadership for improvements in teacher education programs in order to assure that the state has well-qualified, professional teachers. More information is available on the Minnesota PELSB website.

PELSB provides a list of state-approved teacher preparation programs, searchable by institution and content area. To view PELSB-approved BSU licensure programs, enter “Bemidji” in the “Provider” field.

The following BSU teacher preparation programs are currently approved by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB).  

  • Career and Technical Education: Communications Technology (K-12) 
  • Career and Technical Education: Construction (K-12) 
  • Communication Arts/Literature (5-12) 
  • Communication Arts/Literature Middle Level (5-8: Endorsement Only) 
  • Elementary Education (K-6) 
  • DAPE (K-12: Endorsement Only) 
  • Health (5-12) 
  • Mathematics (5-12) 
  • Mathematics Middle Level (5-8: Endorsement Only) 
  • Music: Instrumental (K-12) 
  • Music: Vocal (K-12) 
  • Physical Education (K-12) 
  • PrePrimary (Age 3-PreK: Endorsement Only) 
  • Science: Chemistry (9-12) 
  • Science: Earth/Space (9-12) 
  • Science: General Science (5-8) 
  • Science Middle Level (5-8: Endorsement Only) 
  • Science: Life Science (9-12) 
  • Science: Physics (9-12)
  • Social Studies (5-12) 
  • Social Studies Middle Level (5-8: Endorsement Only) 
  • Special Education: ASD (B-12) 
  • Special Education: EBD (K-12) 
  • Special Education: SLD (K-12) 
  • Visual Arts (K-12) 

Contact

Amanda Chesley

Assistant Director of Accreditation and Assessment for Teacher Education

Amanda.Chesley@bemidjistate.edu