SUU Receives Reaccreditation from NASAD

Published: June 24, 2019 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Southern Utah University (SUU) was awarded reaccreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) for the next 10 year rotation. SUU was initially accredited with NASAD on April 1, 2007 and was the first Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) institution to receive this designation.

Jeffrey Hanson, Chair of the Department of Art and Design at SUU, shares, “Accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design is validation that we are delivering the programs we’ve advertised in a way that is helping students prepare for their chosen professions and fields of study. Receiving full membership indicates that we are meeting or exceeding national standards on all levels. Parents and students can have confidence that an art or design degree from SUU will truly prepare them for professional practice and advanced studies. They can also know that we’re providing students safe spaces to work in. We are absolutely thrilled that SUU has received this accreditation and see it as an indication of the high quality education and lifelong skills that students receive at SUU.”

NASAD was founded in 1944. It is an organization of schools, conservatories, colleges, and universities with over 350 accredited institutional members. They establish national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for art and design and art/design-related disciplines. They also provide assistance to institutions and individuals engaged in artistic, scholarly, educational, and other art/design-related endeavors.

Dr. Keith Bradshaw, Associate Dean of the College of Performing and Visual Arts, explains, “During the reaccreditation process, every aspect of the program is examined, from course offerings and majors, to facilities and faculty. It requires introspection, analysis, frankness, and assessment. The entire process typically requires two years to complete. Initially a self-study comprising 300-500 pages is completed by the institution stating how national standards are being met. National evaluators then visit the school. After the visit, a report is submitted to the accrediting agency who reviews the report, determines the status of the institution, and sends the institution a decision and any items that need attention. A final letter is sent to the institution stating accreditation status (full accreditation, probation, no accreditation) and any items the institution needs to correct before full accreditation is granted. Compliance with these requests may take years to complete.”

We congratulate Southern Utah University and the Department of Art and Design for completing this challenging process and for receiving full accreditation. It is a great tribute to the quality of faculty, staff, and the facilities that are available at the university.

About the College of Performing and Visual Arts

The College of Performing and Visual Arts (CPVA) at Southern Utah University comprises 26 academic programs including liberal arts (BA/BS) and professional (BFA, BM) degrees in art, design, dance, music and theatre. It includes graduate programs in the fields of arts administration (MFA, MA), music education (MME), and music technology (MM). More than 60 full-time faculty and staff are engaged in teaching and mentoring nearly 700 majors in the College. CPVA presents over 100 performances, lectures, presentations, and exhibitions each year and is affiliated with the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA), Utah Shakespeare Festival, and the Center for Shakespeare Studies. Southern Utah University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD), National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). For more information about the College of Performing and Visual Arts, visit www.suu.edu/pva.

---

Tags: College of Performing and Visual Arts

Contact Information:

435-586-5400
Contact the Office of Marketing Communication