Athens State receives National Association of Schools of Art and Design accreditation

ATHENS – Athens State has received accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, school officials announced.

The announcement came during the association’s annual meeting in Long Beach, Calif.

Athens State has undergraduate and graduate degree programs in art: Bachelor of art with a minor in art education, bachelor of fine arts in art, and a master’s of fine arts in integrative art.

“This milestone is not a one-time achievement; it is a long-term commitment to quality that will benefit every future graduate of Athens State University,” said Professor Pamela Keller, division head for the Arts and Humanities within the College of Art and Sciences.

The National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) is an organization of schools, conservatories, colleges, and universities which establishes rigorous national standards for undergraduate and graduate education in art and design.

Athens State will join a network of 321 colleges, universities, and conservatories across the nation who enjoy the distinction of accreditation and institutional membership with NASAD.

Keller led the three-year accreditation project with contributions from Professors Jamie Adams, Jessica Spowart, Mary Beth Johns, and Dean of Colleges David Ragsdale. The accreditation process included rigorous reporting, a comprehensive self-study, and a site visit by NASAD officials who reviewed classrooms, student work, degree requirements, student exhibitions, and faculty credentials.

NASAD accreditation greatly enhances the value of every art student’s degree, giving their credentials national recognition and reinforcing the program’s reputation. Accreditation is a sign that an institution ascribes to, believes in, and has met an external set of criteria for the programs it offers. It indicates that threshold standards are adhered to in a fashion that provides academic strength and operational integrity.

The Art Department at Athens State is housed at the Alabama Center for the Arts in Decatur. The ACA is the region’s premier art center and degree program and represents a unique and dynamic partnership between Calhoun Community College and Athens State University.