National Association of Schools of Dance

National Association of Schools of Dance. The National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD) is an organization that evaluates and accredits dance programs at institutions of higher education, such as New York University, University of California, Los Angeles, and Juilliard School. The NASD is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and is a member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA), alongside organizations like the National Association of Schools of Music and the National Association of Schools of Theatre. The NASD works closely with other accrediting agencies, including the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, to ensure that dance programs meet high standards of quality and excellence, as exemplified by institutions like Yale University, Columbia University, and University of Michigan.

● History

The National Association of Schools of Dance was established in 1981, with the goal of promoting excellence in dance education and providing a framework for evaluating and accrediting dance programs at institutions of higher education, such as Harvard University, Stanford University, and University of California, Berkeley. The NASD was founded by a group of dance educators and professionals, including Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey, and George Balanchine, who were committed to advancing the field of dance and ensuring that dance programs were held to high standards of quality and excellence, as seen in institutions like School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Over the years, the NASD has grown and evolved, and today it is recognized as a leading accrediting agency for dance programs in the United States, with member institutions like California Institute of the Arts, Tisch School of the Arts, and Boston Conservatory at Berklee.

● Mission and Goals

The mission of the National Association of Schools of Dance is to promote excellence in dance education and to provide a framework for evaluating and accrediting dance programs at institutions of higher education, such as University of Texas at Austin, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Ohio State University. The NASD's goals include promoting high standards of quality and excellence in dance education, providing a framework for evaluating and accrediting dance programs, and supporting the development of dance professionals, as seen in the work of organizations like the Dance/USA, National Dance Education Organization, and American Dance Festival. The NASD also works to advance the field of dance and to promote the value and importance of dance in society, as recognized by institutions like the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and Brooklyn Academy of Music.

● Accreditation Process

The National Association of Schools of Dance has a rigorous accreditation process that involves a comprehensive review of a dance program's curriculum, faculty, facilities, and resources, as seen in institutions like University of Southern California, Northwestern University, and University of Washington. The process typically begins with a self-study, in which the program conducts a thorough review of its own strengths and weaknesses, using guidelines from organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. The self-study is then reviewed by a team of NASD evaluators, who conduct a site visit to the program and provide a detailed report on its strengths and weaknesses, as exemplified by the evaluations of programs at Curtis Institute of Music, Eastman School of Music, and San Francisco Conservatory of Music. The NASD's Commission on Accreditation then reviews the report and makes a decision on accreditation, taking into account the program's compliance with NASD standards and guidelines, as well as its alignment with the mission and goals of institutions like Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, and The New School.

● Member Institutions

The National Association of Schools of Dance has over 80 member institutions, including some of the most prestigious dance programs in the United States, such as Juilliard School, Tisch School of the Arts, and California Institute of the Arts. Member institutions include public and private universities, colleges, and conservatories, as well as professional dance schools and companies, like American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. NASD member institutions are located throughout the United States, and include institutions like University of Michigan, University of California, Los Angeles, and New York University, as well as international institutions like Royal Academy of Dance and Paris Opera Ballet.

● Standards and Guidelines

The National Association of Schools of Dance has established a set of standards and guidelines for dance programs, which cover areas such as curriculum, faculty, facilities, and resources, as outlined by organizations like the National Association of Schools of Music and the National Association of Schools of Theatre. The NASD's standards and guidelines are designed to promote high standards of quality and excellence in dance education, and to ensure that dance programs are providing students with a comprehensive and well-rounded education, as seen in institutions like Yale University, Harvard University, and Stanford University. The NASD's standards and guidelines are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect changes in the field of dance and in higher education, and are informed by the work of organizations like the Dance/USA, National Dance Education Organization, and American Dance Festival.

● Governance and Leadership

The National Association of Schools of Dance is governed by a Commission on Accreditation, which is composed of dance educators and professionals from NASD member institutions, including University of Texas at Austin, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Ohio State University. The Commission is responsible for making decisions on accreditation, as well as for developing and implementing NASD policies and procedures, in consultation with organizations like the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors. The NASD also has a number of committees and task forces, which work on specific issues and projects, such as the development of new standards and guidelines, and the promotion of dance education and advocacy, as seen in the work of institutions like John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and Brooklyn Academy of Music. The NASD's leadership includes a Executive Director, who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization, and a Board of Directors, which provides strategic guidance and oversight, as exemplified by the leadership of organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

Category:Accrediting agencies