Report of the NAST Commission on Accreditation 2025

March 2025

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

March 2024

 

It is my pleasure to welcome a new member institution to NAST. May I ask that the representative from this institution stand and be recognized.

The Association welcomes the following new member institution to Associate Membership this year:

Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN 

Dale Pickard
Department of Theatre and Dance

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Jeffrey Ullom
Department of Theatre 

University of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, OK

Kato Buss
Department of Theatre Arts

University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, TX

Jeanmarie Higgins
Department of Theatre Arts and Dance

 

REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION

March 2025

Kristin Sosnowsky, Chair

 

After positive action by the Commission on Accreditation, the following institutions were granted Membership:

Austin Peay State University
Case Western Reserve University
University of Central Oklahoma
University of Texas at Arlington

Action was deferred on four (4) institutions applying for initial Membership.

Action was deferred on one (1) member institution applying for Membership.

After positive action by the Commission on Accreditation, the following member institutions were granted Membership:

Broward College
Queensborough Community College
Sam Houston State University

Progress Reports were accepted from one (1) institution recently granted Membership.

After positive action by the Commission on Accreditation, the following institutions were granted renewal of Membership:

Ball State University
Belhaven University
Bowling Green State University
California State University, Fresno
Casper College
Columbus State University
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
Georgia Southern University
Grambling State University
Indiana University
Ithaca College
Longwood University
Loyola University Chicago
New World School of the Arts
Rowan University
Southeast Missouri State University
Texas Tech University
University of Mississippi 

Action was deferred on thirty-three (33) institutions applying for renewal of Membership.

Progress Reports were accepted from fifteen (15) institutions and acknowledged from four (4) institutions recently granted renewal of Membership.

Four (4) applications for Substantive Change were approved.

Progress Reports were accepted from one (1) program recently approved for Substantive Change.

Action was deferred on two (2) applications for Substantive Change.

Twenty-six (26) programs were granted Plan Approval.

Action was deferred on twenty (20) programs submitted for Plan Approval.

Eighteen (18) programs were granted Final Approval for Listing.

Action was deferred on two (2) programs submitted for Final Approval for Listing.

One (1) program was granted Basic Listing.

Twelve (12) institutions were notified regarding the Accreditation Audit 2024-2025.

Four (4) institutions were notified regarding the Accreditation Audit 2023-2024.

Fourteen (14) institutions were notified regarding the Affirmation Statement 2024-2025.

Three (3) institutions were notified regarding the Affirmation Statement 2023-2024.

Forty-eight (48) institutions were notified regarding the HEADS Data Survey 2023-2024.

Sixty-nine (69) institutions were notified regarding the HEADS Data Survey 2024-2025.

Two (2) institutions were notified regarding the HEADS Data Survey 2022-2023.

Eight (8) institutions were notified regarding monies outstanding for 2024-2025.

One (1) institution was granted a fourth- and fifth-year postponement for re-evaluation.

Eleven (11) institutions were notified regarding successful submission of the Supplemental Annual Report 2023-2024.

Progress Reports were accepted from one (1) institution regarding the Supplemental Annual Report 2022-2023.

One (1) institution was notified regarding the Supplemental Annual Report 2022-2023.

Five (5) institution (Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre, Sinclair Community College, State University of New York, Potsdam, The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Tom Todoroff Studio) withdrew from Membership during the 2023-2024 academic year.

 

EXPLANATION OF DEFERRAL

In the accreditation process, the Commission often finds a situation in which an institution cannot be given initial accreditation or renewal of accreditation on the basis of evidence presented.  This may be because the institution already does not meet the standards as outlined in the NAST Handbook, or because the institution does not appear to meet the standards as outlined in the NAST Handbook, or because sufficient information has not been provided.

Rather than take a negative action on the application (deny accreditation or place the institution on probation), the Commission defers any action until certain conditions are met which clarify the situation and/or bring the institution into compliance. Deferral is not a negative action but a mechanism for dialogue between the Commission and an institution.

Member institutions with applications deferred continue their current membership status, and maintain all rights and responsibilities of Membership. Deferral does not mean that an institution has lost its accreditation, or its right to vote during the Annual Meeting, or its listing in the NAST Directory. It simply indicates that the institution has one or more issues that need to be addressed/reviewed/explained in more detail before the institution’s application can be approved.

There is no public notice of deferral. Letters reporting accreditation actions are sent only to the music executive and to the president of the institution. The NAST staff does not discuss an institution’s status or application with anyone other than the music executive or other administrative officials of the institution.

Please do not hesitate to contact the National Office if we may provide further clarification or information concerning the actions of the Commission.

Thank you.

 

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