Award Levels
NACTE grants one of four accreditation levels based on how fully a program meets national standards.
W
Highest Recognition
Awarded to programs that fully meet or exceed all national accreditation standards, demonstrating exemplary faculty, facilities, curriculum, and outcomes.
X
Excellent
Awarded to programs that substantially meet national standards with only minor, non-critical gaps identified during review.
Y
Good Standing
Awarded to programs that meet the core national standards but have identified areas requiring improvement before the next review cycle.
Z
Entry Level
Awarded to programs that meet minimum acceptable standards, typically with a shorter validity period and a requirement to demonstrate improvement at re-accreditation.
Detailed Requirements
Levels build on one another — Z is the entry-level baseline, and each level above it must meet everything below it plus the additional requirements listed for that level.
Prerequisites Documents
- Academic council minutes approving the teacher education program (universities/DAIs)
- Valid affiliation letter from the parent university (affiliated colleges)
- HEC NOC required for MS/M.Phil/Ph.D programs
Prerequisites Indicators
- Curriculum includes program objectives aligned with vision/mission (not applicable to affiliated colleges)
- Program objectives and courses align with National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPSTs) (not applicable to affiliated colleges)
- Curriculum approved by statutory bodies (not applicable to affiliated colleges)
- Curriculum meets HEC minimum requirements for duration and credit hours (not applicable to affiliated colleges)
- Teaching practice manuals and lesson planners provided (not applicable to MS/M.Phil/Ph.D)
- Documented and disseminated assessment policy for prospective teachers' progression
- Adequate classrooms to accommodate courses offered
Additional Requisites
Additional Prerequisites (beyond Level Z)
- ICT integrated into the curriculum with practical activities compatible with semester timing (not applicable to affiliated colleges)
- Course outlines list websites and recent-edition recommended books (not applicable to affiliated colleges)
- Adequate admission policy compliance regarding student-teacher ratios and prerequisites
- Semester-wise assessment ensuring knowledge, disposition, and skills evaluation aligned with NPSTs
- Quality improvement plans developed, implemented, and monitored
- Purpose-built independent building located in a hazard-free and eco-friendly environment
- Library strategically located and accessible
- Appropriate/adequate faculty recruitment
- Evidence of faculty recruitment relevance to qualifications and specializations
Additional Requisites
Additional Prerequisites (beyond Levels Z and Y)
- Assessment policy and practices alignment is evident
- Classrooms and laboratories equipped with required facilities and equipment
- Annual calendar of the program available to all stakeholders
- Formal appointment and placement policy for teacher educators
- Appropriate workload policy for different ranks (teaching, practice supervision, research)
- Mechanism for monitoring teacher educators' knowledge, skills, dispositions, and performance
- Notified guidelines for student research planning (applicable to MS/M.Phil/Ph.D only)
- Faculty engaged and encouraged in conducting and disseminating research
Additional Requisites
Additional Prerequisites (beyond Levels Z, Y and X)
- Library comprises various information sources (print, non-print, electronic, digital)
- Professional development mechanism for teacher educators and support staff
- Formal research topic approval system addressing local/national issues (MS/M.Phil/Ph.D applicable)
- Incentives for conducting research, publication, and conference presentation
- Evidence of research findings used in curriculum revision (not applicable to affiliated colleges)
- Evidence of research findings applied to teaching-learning methodologies
- Well thought out projects based on social needs and educational issues
Additional Requisites
Validity Period
Each awarded level carries a validity date after which the program must undergo re-accreditation to retain its recognized status. The valid-until date is recorded against the program and shown on the Accredited Programs listing.
Re-accreditation
Institutions should apply for re-accreditation before their program's validity date expires. Re-accreditation is evaluated at the same fee rates as Formal Accreditation and follows the same review process — desk analysis followed by an on-site visit.