Azusa Pacific’s Department of Art Receives National Accreditation

AZUSA, Calif. – Azusa Pacific University's Department of Art recently received accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

"NASAD's stamp of approval represents an independent judgment by professional peers about the extent to which APU achieves its educational objectives and complies with nationally recognized standards of excellence," said Mark Stanton, Ph.D., acting provost.

The Department of Art spent the last five years preparing for this accreditation, which included a self-evaluative description (self-study), an on-site review by a team of evaluators, and judgment by an accreditation decision-making body. Accreditation is awarded for meeting rigorous standards in educational quality, institutional integrity, and educational improvements.

"I am thrilled by this level of approval," said William Catling, department chair. "This recognition reflects the hard work of our faculty and staff to provide excellence in art education and experience for our students."

Founded in 1944, the NASAD serves as the nation's largest specialized, professional accrediting agency for educational programs in art and design. The association currently accredits approximately 280 colleges, universities, and independent schools of art and design.

Azusa Pacific's Department of Art offers a Bachelor of Arts in Art with emphases in general studio and teaching, a Bachelor of Art in Graphic Design, and a Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art. The department prepares students for a lifetime of artistic expression and cultivates individual creativity through the study of history, technique, presentation, and social engagement. Art is presented to the students as both a professional occupation and an essential part of a liberal arts education.