UT Receives Prestigious National Accreditation

Citing strengths in The University of Tampa’s faculty, students, curriculum and facilities, as well as an impressive display of student work, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) awarded UT additional specialized accreditation last week for two departments: Art and Design, and Film, Animation and New Media.

UT’s successful accreditation effort involved a two-and-a-half-year process that included an extensive self-study, rigorous peer-review from external experts, a formal on-site visitation and a comprehensive review by the NASAD commission.

UT will be only the 11th institution accredited by NASAD in the state of Florida, and the second private university accredited in Florida. NASAD has accredited 363 institutions nationwide.

NASAD establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for art, design and art/design-related disciplines, and provides assistance to institutions and individuals engaged in artistic, scholarly, educational and other art/design-related endeavors.

Ten programs collaborated on the accreditation effort: Bachelor of Art programs in art therapy, design, film and media arts, museum studies and visual arts; and Bachelor of Fine Art programs in art, animation, film and media arts, graphic design and new media.

David Gudelunas, dean of the College of Arts and Letters, said the accreditation is a major accomplishment for the college and will elevate UT’s profile among peer institutions.

“Our collective efforts will further stimulate artistic excellence, creativity and innovation among our faculty, and students will thrive in an environment that reflects the highest standards for facilities and curriculum defined by the professional consensus of art and design disciplines,” Gudelunas said.

The accreditation is timely as UT is currently constructing the Ferman Center for the Arts, a new, four-story, 90,000-square-foot building on campus that will provide spaces for UT’s fine and performing arts. The center will include a recital hall, black box theater, classrooms, practice rooms, art and dance studios, faculty and administrative offices and student study spaces.

The new NASAD accreditation is the second prestigious national accreditation in the College of Arts and Letters, and the 14 ^th accreditation earned by UT’s academic programs.