Accreditation
Last reviewed and updated: October 2024. Next scheduled review: October 2027.
1. Regional Accreditation
ACAPA is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), the regional accrediting body for degree-granting institutions of higher learning in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Institutional accreditation by NECHE has been continuously held since 1953.
| Accrediting Body | Scope | Status | Last Review | Next Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) | Institution-wide | Accredited | Spring 2021 | Spring 2031 |
NECHE accreditation confirms that ACAPA meets standards for academic quality, institutional integrity, student support services, and financial stability. Students at ACAPA are eligible to apply for federal financial aid (Title IV programs) on the basis of NECHE accreditation.
NECHE contact information: New England Commission of Higher Education, 3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100, Burlington, MA 01803-4514; (781) 425-7700; neche.org.
2. Programmatic Accreditations
In addition to regional institutional accreditation, ACAPA holds programmatic accreditations from the recognized national arts accrediting bodies for each of its major disciplinary areas. These accreditations are administered through the Council of Arts Accrediting Associations (CAAA), which coordinates the four sister accrediting bodies for music, theatre, art and design, and dance.
| Accrediting Body | Discipline | Status | Last Review | Next Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) | Music | Accredited | 2019 | 2029 |
| National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) | Theatre & Musical Theatre | Accredited | 2022 | 2032 |
| National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) | Fine Arts & Design | Accredited | 2021 | 2031 |
| National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD) | Dance | Accredited | 2023 | 2033 |
| Accrediting Council for Cinematic and Media Arts (ACCMA) | Film & Media Arts | Candidacy (since 2022) | 2022 | 2025 |
Note: The Accrediting Council for Cinematic and Media Arts (ACCMA) is a fictional body used for ACAPA's Film & Media Arts program, as no single nationally recognized accrediting agency exists specifically for undergraduate film programs. See Section 2.5 for details.
2.1 Music
Accrediting Body: National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
The Department of Music at ACAPA holds full accredited institutional membership in NASM. NASM was founded in 1924 and establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials in music and music-related disciplines. ACAPA has been an accredited member since 1961.
Programs covered under NASM accreditation:
- B.F.A. in Music Performance (Instrumental; Vocal)
- B.F.A. in Music Composition
- B.F.A. in Music Education
- B.A. in Music (Liberal arts emphasis)
- M.F.A. in Performance
- M.F.A. in Composition
NASM review summary (2019): The visiting committee commended ACAPA's music faculty for professional accomplishments and its Hartwell Concert Hall facilities. A monitor report was requested in 2021 regarding library music holdings, which was resolved satisfactorily in early 2022.
NASM contact: 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190-5248; (703) 437-0700; nasm.arts-accredit.org
2.2 Theatre & Musical Theatre
Accrediting Body: National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)
The Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre holds full accredited institutional membership in NAST. NAST was founded in 1969 and establishes national standards for theatre and theatre-related disciplines. ACAPA's theatre programs have been NAST-accredited since 1974.
Programs covered under NAST accreditation:
- B.F.A. in Acting
- B.F.A. in Musical Theatre
- B.F.A. in Directing
- B.F.A. in Theatrical Design & Technology (Scenery; Lighting; Costume; Sound)
- B.A. in Theatre Studies
- M.F.A. in Acting
- M.F.A. in Directing
NAST review summary (2022): Full reaffirmation of accreditation was granted without conditions. The committee noted ACAPA's Breckenridge Black Box Theatre as a particular strength, and praised the depth of guest artist programming.
NAST contact: 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190-5248; (703) 437-0700; nast.arts-accredit.org
2.3 Fine Arts & Design
Accrediting Body: National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
The Department of Fine Arts and Graphic Design holds full accredited institutional membership in NASAD. NASAD was founded in 1944 and is the national accrediting agency for art, design, and art and design-related disciplines. ACAPA's fine arts programs have been NASAD-accredited since 1968.
Programs covered under NASAD accreditation:
- B.F.A. in Studio Art (Painting; Sculpture; Printmaking; Photography)
- B.F.A. in Graphic Design
- B.F.A. in Illustration
- B.A. in Art History
- M.F.A. in Studio Art
NASAD review summary (2021): Accreditation reaffirmed without conditions. The committee highlighted the expansion of ACAPA's Weatherspoon Gallery as a resource for students and faculty. A recommendation was noted to increase full-time faculty in Graphic Design, addressed through two hires in 2022–23.
NASAD contact: 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190-5248; (703) 437-0700; nasad.arts-accredit.org
2.4 Dance
Accrediting Body: National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD)
The Department of Dance holds full accredited institutional membership in NASD. NASD was founded in 1981 and establishes national standards for dance programs at colleges and conservatories. ACAPA's dance programs received initial NASD accreditation in 1989.
Programs covered under NASD accreditation:
- B.F.A. in Dance Performance
- B.F.A. in Dance Choreography & Composition
- B.F.A. in Dance Education
- B.A. in Dance Studies
- M.F.A. in Dance
NASD review summary (2023): Accreditation reaffirmed without conditions. ACAPA's dance faculty was commended for interdisciplinary collaboration with the Theatre and Music departments. The visiting committee recommended expansion of the Corrigan Dance Studio sprung floor space, a capital project currently in the planning phase.
NASD contact: 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190-5248; (703) 437-0700; nasd.arts-accredit.org
2.5 Film & Media Arts
Accrediting Body: Accrediting Council for Cinematic and Media Arts (ACCMA)
The Department of Film and Media Arts — established in 2016 as ACAPA's newest academic division — is currently a Candidacy Member of the Accrediting Council for Cinematic and Media Arts (ACCMA), a national programmatic accrediting body for undergraduate and graduate film, cinema studies, and media arts programs. Candidacy status was granted in 2022 following an initial site visit and review of curriculum, facilities, and faculty qualifications.
ACAPA anticipates submitting its full application for ACCMA membership in Spring 2025, with a comprehensive site visit scheduled for Fall 2025. Full accreditation is expected no earlier than academic year 2026–27.
In the interim, all Film & Media Arts degree programs remain covered under ACAPA's institutional NECHE accreditation. Students in Film programs are fully eligible for federal financial aid.
Programs in candidacy status:
- B.F.A. in Filmmaking
- B.F.A. in Screenwriting
- B.F.A. in Cinematography & Visual Storytelling
- M.F.A. in Film & Media Arts
ACCMA contact: Accrediting Council for Cinematic and Media Arts, 1801 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 555-0143.
3. Other Approvals, Authorizations & Memberships
| Organization | Type | Since | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont Agency of Education (VAE) | State authorization to operate | 1947 | Annual renewal; currently in good standing |
| National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) | Membership | 1959 | Non-accrediting; advocacy and policy organization |
| Association of Independent Conservatories of the Arts (AICA) | Membership | 1966 | Consortium for conservatory-style colleges; non-accrediting |
| College Music Society (CMS) | Institutional membership | 1971 | Non-accrediting; scholarly and professional organization |
| U.S. Department of Education (ED) Approval | Title IV Program Participation Agreement | 1965 | Authorizes ACAPA to participate in federal student aid programs |
| Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) | Approved for VA education benefits | 1953 | GI Bill and related benefits; Veterans Services page |
| Vermont State Approving Agency (VSAA) | State approval for veterans benefits | 1953 | Coordinates with VBA for in-state veterans benefit approval |
| American Alliance of Museums (AAM) | Institutional member | 2004 | Pertains to ACAPA's Weatherspoon Gallery of Contemporary Arts |
4. Accreditation History
The following table summarizes major accreditation actions in ACAPA's history.
| Year | Action | Body |
|---|---|---|
| 1947 | ACAPA chartered by Vermont Legislature; state authorization granted | Vermont Agency of Education |
| 1953 | Initial regional accreditation granted (then NEASC, now NECHE) | NECHE (formerly NEASC) |
| 1961 | Initial music accreditation granted | NASM |
| 1968 | Initial fine arts & design accreditation granted | NASAD |
| 1974 | Initial theatre accreditation granted | NAST |
| 1983 | Warning issued by NECHE regarding financial reserves; resolved 1985 | NECHE |
| 1989 | Initial dance accreditation granted | NASD |
| 2001 | All programmatic accreditations reaffirmed following comprehensive review | NASM, NASAD, NAST, NASD |
| 2011 | NECHE ten-year reaffirmation; no conditions attached | NECHE |
| 2016 | Film & Media Arts department established; NECHE notified of substantive change | NECHE / ACCMA |
| 2019 | NASM ten-year reaffirmation; monitor report requested (library holdings) | NASM |
| 2021 | NECHE ten-year reaffirmation; no conditions; NASAD full reaffirmation | NECHE, NASAD |
| 2022 | NAST full reaffirmation; Film & Media Arts granted ACCMA Candidacy status | NAST, ACCMA |
| 2022 | NASM monitor report resolved; no further action required | NASM |
| 2023 | NASD full reaffirmation; capital project recommended (dance studio) | NASD |
5. Student Complaints Regarding Accreditation
Students who have concerns about ACAPA's compliance with accreditation standards should first utilize ACAPA's internal grievance procedures as outlined in the Student Handbook. If concerns are not resolved through internal channels, students may contact the relevant accrediting bodies directly.
- NECHE (Regional)
- 3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100, Burlington, MA 01803-4514 | (781) 425-7700 | neche.org
- NASM (Music)
- 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190-5248 | (703) 437-0700 | nasm.arts-accredit.org
- NAST (Theatre)
- 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190-5248 | (703) 437-0700 | nast.arts-accredit.org
- NASAD (Fine Arts & Design)
- 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190-5248 | (703) 437-0700 | nasad.arts-accredit.org
- NASD (Dance)
- 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190-5248 | (703) 437-0700 | nasd.arts-accredit.org
- Vermont Agency of Education (State Authorization)
- 219 North Main Street, Suite 402, Barre, VT 05641 | (802) 479-1030
Students in states other than Vermont may also contact their home state's higher education agency. See the State Authorization Disclosures page for a full listing by state.
6. Contact for Accreditation Inquiries
Inquiries regarding ACAPA's accreditation status, program-specific accreditation, or disclosure requirements may be directed to:
| Office | Contact |
|---|---|
| Office of Institutional Effectiveness | 4 Hartwell Hall, Eastbridge, VT 05401 accreditation@acapa.edu (802) 555-0110 |
| Office of the Provost | 1 Founders Hall, Eastbridge, VT 05401 provost@acapa.edu (802) 555-0101 |
| Financial Aid Office (accreditation & aid eligibility questions) | 2 Hartwell Hall, Eastbridge, VT 05401 Financial Aid Information (802) 555-0122 |
See also: About ACAPA | Academic Programs | Admissions | State Authorization | Consumer Information | Student Handbook