The School of Education at Concordia University Ann Arbor has a history of accreditation since 2001. It is instrumental in the Lutheran Christian school community providing qualified teacher candidates to fill teaching positions across the country in private Lutheran Schools as well as public schools. Concordia University Ann Arbor is one of only seven universities in the country that certifies teacher candidates with a Lutheran Teaching Diploma. Our value for Christ-centered faith and learning teaching candidates to align their beliefs within instructional settings as they deepen their sense of calling and vocation.

Concordia University Ann Arbor's School of Education is fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

In accordance with Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) policy, CAEP uses four CAEP Accountability Measures to provide information on Educator Preparation Provider (EPP) program outcomes and impacts in the field of teacher education to the public.

2024-2025 CAEP accountability measures

The information below provides evidence of Concordia University Ann Arbor’s quality Educator Preparation Program within the CAEP Accountability Measures required for Graduate Level programs. Current Concordia University Ann Arbor programs:

  • Lower Elementary
  • Upper Elementary
  • Special Ed K-12
  • 5-9 Math
  • 5-9 English
  • 7-12 Math
  • 7-12 English
Measure 1 (Initial): Completer Effectiveness and Impact On Student Learning (R.4.1)
Category Indicator Points State Avg. EPI Score Points Awarded
Performance as Classroom Teachers Impact on K-12 Student Learning 15 94.3% 98.5% 15
Demonstrated Teaching Knowledge 5 90.7% 97.2% 5

1. Completer impact on P-12 student-learning growth (R 4.1)

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) gathers data on program completers who are teaching in Michigan public and charter schools. The first row of the above data chart shows that our completers achieved a score of 98.5% in this category. This indicates that our graduates are consistently having a positive impact on the learning of the students in their classrooms. A portion of our completers go on to teach in Lutheran schools in Michigan and throughout the country. While we do not currently have a method to quantitatively measure their demonstrated teaching knowledge, anecdotal evidence from our Lutheran school partners in the Michigan District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod gives us confidence that these completers are demonstrating competency in this area within these non-public school settings

2. Completer effectiveness in applying professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions (component 4.2)

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) gathers data on program completers who are teaching in Michigan public and charter schools. The second row of data in the chart above shows that our completers achieved a score of 97.2%, which is well above the state average of 90.7%.

Measure 2 (Initial): Satisfaction of Employers and Stakeholder Involvement (R4.2/R5.3)

In the 2024-2025 school year, the State of Michigan sent a survey to public school principals to better understand employer satisfaction of CUAA completers. Below is a chart with a summary of the results:

Category Summaries State Average Concordia University
Efficacy Total Percent Efficacy Total Percent
Career Support 2041 3354 60.9% 34 72 47.2%
Overall Preparation 505 559 90.3% 12 12 100.0%
Meeting Student Needs 4234 5590 75.7% 86 120 71.7%
Technology 920 1118 82.3% 22 24 91.7%
Instructional Strategies and Assessment 3938 5031 78.3% 86 108 79.6%
Prefessonalism 1475 1677 88.0% 29 36 80.6%
Clinical Experience & Program Preparation 3744 4830 77.5% 66 98 67.3%

As the data above shows, CUAA completers scored above the state average on three of seven measures and just slightly below the state average on four measures. This data, especially the overall score of 100%, supports what we also hear anecdotally from our partners – that employers are consistently satisfied with the work that CUAA completers do in K-12 classrooms.

Measure 3 (Initial): Candidate Competency at Completion (R3.3)
MTTC Pass Rates (2022-2025) Total Initial Attempt Total Initial Attempt Percent Cumulative Attempts Total Cumulative Attempts Percent
Concordia University 157 115 73.2% 132 84.1%
Statewide 30,053 23,805 79.2% 26713 88.9%

Concordia University Ann Arbor’s overall Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) pass rate over three cycles of data (2022-2025) is 73.2% for the initial test taken by a candidate and an overall 84.1% pass rate. Compared to the State average of 79.2% for the initial test and an overall pass rate of 88.9%. (MTTC Annual Summary of State Results 2021-2024).

Measure 4 (Initial): Ability of Completers to Be Hired

The CUAA School of Education reports that from 2021- 2024, 100% of completers, who responded to the Year-Out Completer’s Survey, were hired in education positions for which they had prepared. (Year-Out Completer Survey Responses). It is noted that in 24-25 92.3% of students were employed in teaching position, however 100% were employed in a school setting.

Year-out completer’s survey responses

Question Year Result
Obtained employment in a teaching position 2021-2022 3 (100%)
2022-2023 2 (100%)
2023-2024 6 (100%)
2024-2025 12 (92.3%)¹
Did you obtain employment in the school district where you completed your clinical experience? 2021-2022 Yes 1 (33.3%),
No 2 (66.7%)
2022-2023 Yes 2 (100%),
No 0 (0%)
2023-2024 Yes 2 (33.3%),
No 4 (66.7%)
2024-2025 Yes 5 (38.5%),
No 8 (61.5%)

¹Note: 13 (100%) obtained employment in a school setting in 24-25.