Stetson University’s School of Music has successfully completed a comprehensive accreditation review by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) Commission on Accreditation, according to NASM Executive Director Samuel Hope, whose letter accompanied the commission’s report.

The Commission Action Report, received by Dr. Jean West, dean of the School of Music, included the following commendation:  “The Commission commends the institution for its thorough, analytical Self-Study, and for the evidence of careful planning that pervades the submitted materials.”

“NASM advocates for and protects the integrity of the academic music programs across the country,” West said. “So we are thrilled that Stetson received high commendation from our accrediting body.  The members of Stetson’s music faculty are some of the finest professionals in the world today, and their passion for excellence and commitment to educating our students are reflected in our reaccreditation. Credit for completing such a strong self-study goes to each faculty member as well as every staff member in the School of Music.”

The NASM accreditation process happens every 10 years for full member institutions and consists of several components. A detailed and comprehensive assessment of Stetson’s academic music program was completed and compiled in a “Self Study” for review by the team of visiting peer evaluators, who are also music executives at member institutions, prior to their campus visit. The Self-Study represents up to two years of work by the faculty, led by the dean. During the campus visit earlier in 2011, the NASM visitors met with all members of Stetson’s music faculty and many music students, and they also had a meeting with President Wendy B. Libby and Provost Elizabeth “Beth” Paul. They visited as many classes, lessons and rehearsals as possible, getting an accurate representative sampling of all the programs offered by the School of Music. Part of the visit was a special recital by student performers, chosen to represent all degrees, performance areas and class years. Of this part of the visit, Dean West said, “In music training, one of the most important ways we can assess the growth of our students is through their performance, so the recital during the NASM visit was a moment of pride and validation for everyone in the School of Music. Our evaluators were very pleased.” The university’s next full NASM review will take place in 2020-2021.

Founded in 1924, NASM establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for its member schools, conservatories, colleges and universities. It has approximately 641 accredited institutional members. Stetson University’s School of Music has been a full member since 1938.

Stetson University’s School of Music is founded on the vision of an exclusively undergraduate program that serves as the starting point of careers in all areas of the profession. Over 200 carefully selected undergraduate students receive the undivided attention of 47 artist-faculty members in an atmosphere of challenge and support.

“At Stetson you will find a pervasive, compelling commitment to artistic excellence, intellectual curiosity and professionalism,” said West. “Standards are high and the work is intense, but the rewards are many.”

To learn more about NASM accreditation, visit www.nasm.arts-accredit.org. More information about Stetson University’s School of Music, including the current concert schedule for Spring 2012, can be found at www2.stetson.edu/music.