The Seattle Pacific University School of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The most recent onsite visit by an NCATE Board of Examiners was held in spring 2006. As a result of the visit, all NCATE standards for initial and advanced programs were met, and the School of Education received continuing accreditation until 2013.

What is NCATE?
The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education is a non-profit, non-governmental alliance of 35 national professional education and public organizations representing millions of Americans who support quality teaching. NCATE currently accredits 575 colleges of education with over 100 more seeking NCATE accreditation. NCATE accreditation is a mark of distinction, and provides recognition that the college of education has met national professional standards for the preparation of teachers and other educators. In NCATE's performance-based accreditation system, institutions must provide evidence of competent teacher candidate performance. Teacher candidates must know the subject matter they plan to teach and how to teach effectively so that all students learn. NCATE makes a difference in teacher preparation. Prepared teachers make a difference in P-12 student learning. Study after study indicates that student achievement increases when teachers are fully prepared and fully licensed. The U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognize NCATE as an accrediting body for schools, colleges, and departments of education.

NCATE's Mission:
NCATE is the teaching profession's mechanism to help establish high quality teacher, specialist, and administrator preparation. Through the process of professional accreditation of schools, colleges and departments of education, NCATE works to make a difference in the quality of teaching, teachers, school specialists and administrators. NCATE believes every student deserves a caring, competent, and highly qualified teacher.