Last Update: February 11, 2026
Comprehensive Standards Reviews consider the standards as a whole, or a complete set of standards (e.g., graduate, undergraduate, non-degree-granting, operational).
All draft proposals will be posted here as they are approved for public comment. Indications will be provided for each proposal regarding the type of review, the dates of comment periods, and whether the proposal is scheduled for hearings or for a final vote by the NAST membership.
Representatives of member institutions, students, theatre professionals, accreditors, interested parties, and the general public are cordially invited to read and comment on standards drafts. Before you begin, please take time to read Reviewing and Commenting on NAST Standards. You may also find it helpful to review the Frequently Asked Questions.
Those wishing to comment are asked to download the Response Form provided under Reviewing and Commenting on NAST Standards. Although NAST will not be able to acknowledge every comment individually, the Association is grateful to those making specific suggestions. You need not comment if you think a text is satisfactory.
NAST Comprehensive Standards Review – Comment Period February 13 – April 23, 2026
This comment period will focus on the following groups of standards now found in the NAST Handbook 2026-27: Purposes and Operations; Theatre Program Components; Specific Operational Standards for Free-Standing Theatre Institutions of Higher Education; and Specific Operational Standards for Proprietary Institutions of Higher Education (see NAST Handbook 2026-27, Standards for Accreditation II., III., XIX., and XX.).