Educator Preparation and Accreditation Program (EPP)

MSU’s Educator Preparation and Accreditation Program (EPP) works intentionally and collaboratively to advance learning, achievement, community, equity, and excellence, by implementing innovative, evidence-based, data-driven practices through a continuous improvement process that allows us to focus and make learning experiences beneficial to our students, faculty, university, partners and extended community.  

The College of Education (CED) in partnership with the College of Arts and Letters, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, College of Music, College of Natural Science, College of Social Science, James Madison College, and Lyman Briggs College prepares future teachers, school psychologists, and building and central office administrators. In total, there are 42 undergraduate and graduate degree programs that prepare future Birth to P-12 Educators and Educational Leaders with over 50+ licensure areas. Spring 2025 enrollment is over 2,000 students, of which 430 students are in their internship year. 

The MSU undergraduate and graduate degree program chart shows at a glance the 8 colleges with teacher, school psychologist, and administrator majors. The CED M.A.T.C. ESL minor is included on the chart, as they have a specific CAEP program leader for this endorsement. A wide array of minors and endorsements are available in each of the colleges that prepare future teachers and are listed in the MSU course catalogue. The bottom right portion of the chart lists 2024-2025 CAEP Accreditations Program Leaders.

msu undergraduate and graduate degree program chart highlighting undergraduate, graduate degree caep accreditation

This visual highlights all CAEP accreditation initial and advanced programs within our 8 MSU colleges. Learn more about CAEP by visiting the CAEP accreditation page.

Affiliates of our EPP, MSU also has degree programs that prepare future school counselors and athletic trainers (both in the College of Education) as well as school social workers (College of Social Science). 

Education Preparation

In additional to program and course delivery and support, the College of Education serves as the hub for the work of educator preparation and accreditation: leading arduous continuous improvement, serving as the key point of contact for Michigan Department of Education regarding program approval and individual licensure, providing advising education majors in the CED and those with degrees will come from other colleges, placing elementary and secondary education majors in internships and providing a core set of courses for these students, supporting and guiding faculty in program improvement and preparation, securing and strengthening relationship with P-12 partners, ensuring compliance with multiple federal and state reporting requirements, and leading all accreditation work. 

Accreditation

Accreditation is quality assurance through external peer review. MSU EPP degree programs that lead to Michigan Department of Education school endorsements, certifications, and licensures must be professionally accredited. Our accreditor is CAEP, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Visit the CAEP page to learn more about CAEP accreditation.

At MSU CED, we believe people want to be a part of something great and that we thrive when: 

  • Students, staff, faculty, alumni, and our community partners feel they belong, are valued, have choices, are supported and understand that what they are doing gives them and those around them, especially those unserved and in most need, every opportunity for success now and later  
  • We dream, learn, and do something that changes the world for the better

great institutions never stand still. They focus on people and their success, providing the right environment, support, and structures to achieve audacious success. EXECELLENCE FOR IMPACT

Degree Program Leaders work with all faculty and staff, guiding the work

Because people matter – Leadership Matters

  • Leaders act with purpose. 
  • Leaders create & support structures that bring people together in order to further the organization’s mission, vision, and goals. 
  • Leaders care about and know the people they serve. They are apart of their community and tell our collective story to unify and drive a positive, collaborative, inclusive, equitable, creative culture that adapts, innovates, and prospers. 
  • Effective leaders have proven results and a stable, long-term trajectory of success. 

MSU CED CAEP Educator Preparation & Accreditation Leaders

Initial Programs

CED Teacher Education (TE)

NameRoleMSU TitleEmailPhone #
Gail RichmondOversees daily practices; communicates most TE undergraduate program changesProfessorgailr@msu.edu517-432-4854
Kyle GreenwaltCoordinates program improvement for Initial Programs (Assists with secondary pathways issues as needed)Associate Professorgreenwlt@msu.edu517-353-0824
Tonya BartellElementary pathways (PK-3 and 3-6)Associate Professortbartell@msu.edu517-432-4652

CED Special Ed (CEPSE)

NameRoleMSU TitleEmailPhone #
Erin HamiltonASDSenior Specialist – Advisorerinhami@msu.edu517-353-1842
Joshua PlavnickLDProfessorplavnick@msu.edu517-432-8346

Child Development and Early Childhood Ed (HDFS)

NameRoleMSU TitleEmailPhone #
Holly Brophy-HerbB-K and Sp. Ed.Professorhbrophy@msu.edu517-355-3397

Other Faculty & Advisors

NameRoleMSU TitleEmailPhone #
Aaron McKimAgriscienceAssociate Professoramckim@msu.eduN/A
Kristen BiedaSecondary MathematicsInterim TE Chair, Asso. Director Mathematicskbieda@msu.edu517-432-9607
Carey OmmenCertified MSU earned education certificates and endorsementsCurriculum Coordinator IIcommen@msu.edu517-353-5146
Joanne MarcianoSecondary EnglishAssociate Professormarcian2@msu.edu517-353-4348
Jungmin KwonPK-12 World Languages (undergraduate route)Assistant Professorjkwon@msu.edu517-355-6549
Kristin RispoliSchool Psychology (MA with initial certification)Associate Professorrispolik@msu.edu517-432-9629
Kyle GreenwaltSecondary Social Studies and Reviews educator certification docsAssociate Professorgreenwlt@msu.edu517-353-0824
Lara DixonOversees educator preparation and accreditation and is MDE liaisonAssistant Professordixonlar@msu.edu586-530-2153
Greg ChildsPK-12 ESL (undergraduate route)Assistant Professorchildgr1@msu.edu 
Nancy RomigPK-12 World Languages (post-bac route)Senior Specialist – Outreachromignan@msu.edu517-355-8525
Patricia EdwardsReading Specialist (MA with initial certification)Univ Distinguished Professoredwards6@msu.edu517-432-0858
Peter De CostaPK-12 ESL (post-bac route)Professorpdecosta@msu.edu517-884-7728
Stefanie MarshallSecondary ScienceAssistant Professorslmarsh@msu.edu517-432-4643
Andrea AllenPK-12 Visual ArtsAssistant Professorallena43@msu.edu713-297-1212

Coordinator Working Group

NameRoleMSU TitleEmailPhone #
Lisa PlascenciaOversees CAEP and SL&L for Undergraduate Sp. Ed. ProgramsSpecial Education Internship Coordinatorlisaplas@msu.edu517-353-5401
Andrea KellyElementary Pre-Internship CoordinatorSenior Specialist – Teacherakelly@msu.edu517-432-3671
Ann Castle (interim)Elementary Coordinator; Elementary Lansing-Area CoordinatorAssistant Professorcastlean@msu.eduN/A
Chris KaiserSecondary Coordinator; Secondary Lansing-Area CoordinatorSpecialist – Teacherkaiserch@msu.edu517-353-5529
Darreth RiceMATC Placement CoordinatorAssistant Professorricedar1@msu.edu517-432-0858
Effat Id-DeenSoutheast Michigan Area CoordinatorAssistant Professoreiddeen@msu.edu734-646-6534
Molly BarrettGrand Rapid Area CoordinatorCoordinatorpiercemo@msu.edu 
Nancy RomigPost-BA World Language Teacher Certification CoordinatorSenior Specialist Outreachromignan@msu.edu517-355-8525

Advanced Programs

NameRoleMSU TitleEmailPhone #
Julie HelberOversees K-12 Administration Program in EADChair and Associate Professor K-12 Administration in EADjhelber@msu.eduN/A
Maddy MavrogordatoOversees K-12 MA Administration Program in EADAssociate Professor K-12 Administrationmavro@msu.eduN/A
BetsAnn SmithOversees MATC Reading Specialist Program in TEAssociate Professor K-12 Administrationbas@msu.eduN/A
Darreth RiceOversees MATC Reading Specialist Program in TEAssociate Professor Language and Literature in TEricedar1@msu.edu517-432-0858
Kristen RispoliOversee School Psychology Programs (EdS and PhD) in CEPSESchool Psychology Program Director, Associate Professorrispolik@msu.edu517-432-9629