AAQEP

What AAQEP does

AAQEP (Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation) is a nonprofit professional association and CHEA-recognized accreditor founded in 2017 and headquartered in Lake Frederick, Virginia. The organization provides standards-based accreditation services to over 100 educator preparation providers (EPPs) — primarily colleges and universities offering teacher, leader, and specialized personnel preparation programs — through two pathways: a 7-year Quality Assurance Report process and a 5-year Initial Accreditation Pathway for new or transitioning programs. Its core technology is the Accreditation Management Platform (AMP), a web-based digital workspace where members organize accreditation work, submit self-study reports, and store evidence. Quality assurance reviews are conducted via Quality Review Teams (QRTs) combining trained AAQEP reviewers with provider-nominated local practitioners, supplemented by electronic stakeholder surveys administered during site visits.

AAQEP operates a tiered membership model with annual dues scaled by program completer volume — regular members pay $3,650 to $7,995 depending on size, affiliates pay $1,800, and state education agencies participate free under MOA partnerships. Revenue is diversified across recurring membership dues, event registration fees (annual Institute, Quality Assurance Symposium, workshops, seminars), and site visit cost recovery. The organization runs a multi-channel GTM combining direct liaison engagement with institutional members, free informational webinars, annual conferences, and a community-led reviewer/ambassador program that drives peer referrals. Major events include the 5th Annual AAQEP Institute (September 2026, UNLV, 500+ attendees) and the 10th Annual Quality Assurance Symposium (April 2027, Orlando). Geographic reach spans U.S. states plus territories (Guam, Puerto Rico) and Canada.

The organization maintains a lean 21-person staff and is governed by a Board of Directors and Accreditation Commission. Partnerships with assessment providers (ETS, Evaluation Systems of Pearson), test prep firms (Passage Preparation), and education technology vendors (Echo 360, iDesign) support its annual events. No equity funding, acquisitions, or major leadership transitions are indicated; the entity operates as a member-funded nonprofit professional association.

Name

AAQEP

Legal name

Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation

Website

https://aaqep.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AAQEP is a nonprofit, CHEA-recognized accreditor that provides standards-based quality assurance accreditation to over 100 U.S. educator preparation programs at colleges and universities, using peer review and its Accreditation Management Platform to issue 5- or 7-year accreditation status.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lake Frederick

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Dues: Regular members (educator preparation providers) pay annual dues ranging from $3,650 to $7,995 based on the number of program completers per year (0-50 to over 1,000). Affiliate members pay $1,800 annually. Individual members pay $50-$200 depending on category. State members participate free with MOA. Dues are due annually by July 1 and are required for accredited programs to maintain their status.
2. Event Registration Fees: Revenue generated from paid professional learning events including workshops (e.g., $250/person for AAQEP members), seminars ($675-$750/person), and the annual AAQEP Institute ($595-$695/person for members). Event fees cover participation, materials, and associated meals/refreshments.
3. Site Visit Fees: Providers bear costs associated with quality assurance reviews including site visits, covering reviewer travel expenses, accommodations, and meals according to AAQEP's travel policy. AAQEP bills providers for the sum of reviewer travel expenses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

AAQEP provides standards-based accreditation services for educator preparation programs (EPPs) at colleges and universities through a self-study and peer review process. Programs pursue either a 7-year accreditation via the Quality Assurance Report pathway or a 5-year initial accreditation via the Initial Accreditation Pathway (IAP). The accreditation workflow is managed through the proprietary Accreditation Management Platform (AMP), and member institutions pay tiered annual dues based on the number of program completers.

Product overview

AAQEP (Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation) is a nationally recognized CHEA-accredited organization providing educator preparation program accreditation services. The core offering consists of the AAQEP Accreditation system, which includes two pathways: the standard Quality Assurance Report process for 7-year accreditation and the Initial Accreditation Pathway for 5-year initial accreditation. Supporting this core service is the Accreditation Management Platform (AMP), a digital workspace for organizing accreditation work, along with Professional Learning Events including webinars, workshops, seminars, and the annual AAQEP Institute. The organization also provides the Guide to AAQEP Accreditation as a comprehensive manual, maintains a Member Directory, and offers Consulting Services. All accredited programs must maintain membership and submit Annual Reports through the AMP.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AAQEP Accreditation Standards-based accreditation service for educator preparation programs at colleges and universities, using a self-study and peer review process. Programs can pursue 7-year accreditation via the Quality Assurance Report pathway or 5-year initial accreditation via the Initial Accreditation Pathway. Members must maintain annual dues and submit Annual Reports to keep accredited status. Intended for Initial Teacher Preparation, Advanced Educator Preparation, P-12 Leader Preparation, and Specialized Personnel Preparation programs.
• Initial Accreditation Pathway (IAP) Expedited accreditation pathway for new or newly revised educator preparation programs and for programs transitioning from another accreditor, leading to 5-year initial accreditation status.
• Accreditation Management Platform (AMP) Digital workspace and system for AAQEP members to organize and store their accreditation work, submit self-study reports and proposals, manage evidence files, and facilitate the overall quality assurance review workflow. Used by member institutions throughout the accreditation cycle.
• Professional Learning Events Program Calendar of webinars, workshops, seminars, and national conferences for educator preparation providers, including Introduction to AAQEP sessions, reviewer training, and accreditation process workshops. Includes member-exclusive quarterly webinars featuring member presentations on AAQEP standards.
• 2026 AAQEP Institute (Annual National Conference) Annual national conference scheduled for September 24-25, 2026 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, featuring three concurrent seminar tracks: Mapping Your Quality Assurance Process, Designing Assessment Systems for Continuous Improvement, and Making the Case for Reaccreditation.
• Online Workshops Virtual interactive workshops including Ensuring Data Quality and Equity and Making the Case for Quality: Evidence in Context, offered as multi-session training for accreditation preparation, with member and non-member pricing tiers.
• In-Person Seminars Multi-day in-person professional learning seminars, such as the Data Visualization and Storytelling Seminar, hosted at venues such as Mount St. Mary's University Frederick, MD campus. Priced at $675-$750 per person with group discounts.
• Consulting Service Expert staff consulting for educator preparation programs seeking guidance on accreditation processes, transitions from another accreditor, and quality assurance system design.
• Guide to AAQEP Accreditation (2025) Comprehensive operating manual providing information on AAQEP process, standards, evidence expectations, self-study guidelines, and review procedures. The 2025 edition reflects the current standards framework.
• Member Directory Online searchable directory of AAQEP member institutions and organizations with advanced search, radius search, and filtering by state and country.

Quantifiable outcome

• 7-year accreditation status for programs meeting all standards with no more than one condition
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered premier sponsor, professional learning sponsor, silver sponsor, publishing partner/exhibitor, core partner, host partner, technology partner and event partner.

• ETS (Educational Testing Service)premier sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerETS serves as Premier Sponsor for the 2026 AAQEP Institute annual conference. ETS offers Praxis teacher licensure assessments, aligning with AAQEP's focus on quality educator preparation.
• Passage Preparationprofessional learning sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerPassage Preparation is a Professional Learning Sponsor for the 2026 AAQEP Institute. They provide teacher certification test preparation resources.
• Echo 360silver sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerEcho 360 is a Silver Sponsor for the 2026 AAQEP Institute, providing video platform and lecture capture technology for education.
• HELP (Higher Ed Licensure Pros)silver sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerHELP is a Silver Sponsor for the 2026 AAQEP Institute, offering resources for educator licensure.
• iDesignsilver sponsorGTM or Marketing PartneriDesign is a Silver Sponsor for the 2026 AAQEP Institute, providing curriculum design services for higher education.
• Evaluation Systems of Pearsonsilver sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvaluation Systems of Pearson is a Silver Sponsor for the 2026 AAQEP Institute. They develop educator licensure and certification assessments.
• Myers Education Presspublishing partner/exhibitorGTM or Marketing PartnerMyers Education Press serves as Publishing Partner and Exhibitor for the 2026 AAQEP Institute. They publish books on education and accreditation.
• State Education Agenciescore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerStates and territories can become AAQEP State Members through Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) partnerships. State members receive free participation in AAQEP events and benefit from clarified coordination between AAQEP and the state for providers pursuing accreditation.
• University of Nevada, Las Vegashost partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for the 2026 AAQEP Institute. UNLV's Student Union at 4505 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV provides the conference facility.
• Naylor Association Management Softwaretechnology partnerTechnology or IntegrationNaylor Association Management Software provides the membership software platform powering AAQEP's member directory, event registration, and web account systems.
• Mount St. Mary's Universityevent partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerMount St. Mary's University (Frederick, MD campus) is the venue host for the AAQEP Data Visualization and Storytelling Seminar. Joint venture between AAQEP and the university for this in-person professional learning event.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aaqep

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AAQEP