CCU Climbs U.S. News & World Report 'Best Colleges' Rankings
Rises to No. 19 in undergraduate teacher preparation and No. 61 in regional universities in the WestColorado Christian University continues to move up the U.S. News & World Report rankings of the best colleges and universities. CCU, which serves more than 9,000 traditional undergraduate, graduate, and adult students, was named the No. 19 undergraduate teaching university and the No. 61 overall regional university in the West in the U.S. News & World Report "Best Colleges" rankings released Sept. 13.
"Colorado Christian University's climb in the rankings is a testament to the University's pledge to provide high-quality, Christ-centered education," said Dr. Donald W. Sweeting, CCU president. "Our unwavering commitment to the Great Tradition of a robust liberal arts education continues to produce uncompromising leaders of character in education, business, and the church."
CCU's U.S. News & World Report overall ranking places the University ahead of the majority of the peer institutions within the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). For the second year in a row, the University was ranked as a top performer in social mobility for its ability to enroll and graduate a large number of disadvantaged students who are eligible to receive Pell Grants. These are students whose household incomes are generally below $50,000 a year.
The No. 19 ranking for undergraduate teacher education is the highest ranking for the University since the School of Education's founding 50 years ago. The School of Education in the College of Undergraduate Studies and the School of Education Professions in the College of Adult and Graduate Studies train and equip students to serve as the next generation of teachers for both public schools and private Christian schools. Combined, the two schools serve more than 500 students.
"We enthusiastically embrace the work of teacher preparation," said Dr. Debora L. Scheffel, dean of the School of Education in the College of Undergraduate Studies. "Outside of the family, we know the teacher is the most influential aspect of a child's educational experience, and we believe that teachers who have mastered their content, and spend many supervised hours in a variety of classrooms with experienced teachers during their preparation, enter the profession the best prepared to meet the diverse needs of their students."
In addition to the U.S. News & World Report rankings, the National Council on Teacher Quality has rated both the elementary and secondary education programs in the School of Education as the top education programs in the State of Colorado and in the 98th percentile of all education programs, nationwide.
The School of Education Professions in the College of Adult and Graduate Studies offers 11 master's-level degree options for educators as well as degrees in early childhood, elementary, and special education. In August, the University launched continuing education courses in culturally and linguistically diverse education that are available 100% online. The courses allow public educators to fulfill State of Colorado English language learner requirements.
"We understand the challenges of being an educator in today's world, as we prepare both teachers and principals for the demands of their classroom and their school community," said Dr. Wendy Wendover, dean for the School of Education Professions. "Practice in the field, combined with academic rigor and faculty support, prepare individuals for teaching in Colorado and across the nation. The decision to pursue an education degree at Colorado Christian University is in response to a higher calling."
To learn more about Colorado Christian University, visit ccu.edu.