Southeastern Louisiana University’s College of Education has achieved the highest education enrollment and completion in all undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs in the state for the 2024-2025 period. Based on a report from the Board of Regents, Southeastern had the largest teacher education enrollment, bypassing the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and LSU-Baton Rouge who have historically held the number one and two spots.
Southeastern President William S. Wainwright said the achievement reflects the university’s long-standing commitment to preparing educators who make a difference in their communities.
“We are incredibly proud of the College of Education for leading the state in both enrollment and completion of teacher preparation programs,” Wainwright said. “At a time when many institutions across the nation are seeing declines in students pursuing careers in education, Southeastern continues to demonstrate the strength of its programs and the dedication of its faculty. Our graduates are well prepared to enter classrooms across Louisiana and positively impact the lives of students for generations to come.”
College of Education Dean Paula Summers Calderon said that every year teacher education programs report enrollment, completion, and licensure exam passage rates to the federal government for Title II reporting. Southeastern has been a steady third-largest teacher education program for a number of years, and now it’s the largest with a 100% passage rate on licensure exams.
“Over the past several years, there has been a national decline in the number of students choosing education as a career,” she said. “I’m delighted to report that even though we have had a decline in enrollment like other institutions in Louisiana, our decline was not as steep, and we are seeing more students interested in pursuing teacher education at Southeastern. I credit the faculty, staff, current students, and alumni for promoting our programs and encouraging students to attend Southeastern to become teachers.”
“We’re also very fortunate to have been asked by the Louisiana Department of Education to create the first Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program, providing our teacher candidates with a salary while enrolled in their yearlong residency,” Calderon added. “Innovative programs like this will only help us continue to grow.”
Southeastern’s Department of Teaching and Learning offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, alternative certification and add-on certification.
For more information about Southeastern’s education program, visit southeastern.edu/department-of-teaching-and-learning/ or email teaching.learning@southeastern.edu.
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