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Posted: Thursday, February 5, 2009International Graduate Programs for Educators Receives Middle States Accreditation
By Mark Norris
Established a decade ago, the International Graduate Programs for Educators (IGPE) program provides students worldwide with the opportunity to engage in the college’s multidisciplinary degree program. In November, 26 host sites were affirmed as additional locations of Buffalo State College by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Higher Education.
This designation means that Buffalo State’s instructional programs in such far-reaching locales as Colombia, Ghana, and Taiwan are now included within the scope of the college’s Middle States accreditation.
“We are the largest program of its kind in the United States,” said IGPE director Carolyn Brunner. “And we’ve crafted programs that are unique and different for each school.” The IGPE program currently provides more than 800 educational professionals living abroad with the opportunity to earn advanced degrees.
Before accrediting a college’s or university’s off-site locations, the Middle States Commission requires the completion of an extensive report and on-site evaluations.
In the summer and fall of 2008, IGPE coordinated and financed visitations to the Carol Morgan School, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; the American School of Tegucigalpa, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras; and the Columbus School, in Medellin, Colombia.
Thanks to Brunner’s persistence and guidance from Rosalyn Lindner, associate vice president for curriculum and assessment, both the report and site inspections passed the requirements of the Middle States’ Committee on Substantive Change with flying colors.
“Interestingly, the committee asked for no changes to the report, which is highly unusual,” Brunner said. “Usually, you get some sort of recommendations for changes. We were very pleased because we passed on the first go-round.” Brunner also reported that the Middle State liaison was duly impressed with the quality of the host facilities and the instruction delivered on site.
The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2012–2013.
