The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) recently continued the accreditation of The University of Toledo as a good school for students pursuing music.
The NASM is an organization of approximately 630 schools of music at the collegiate level that establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees in all areas of music and other credentials.
Every 10 years, UT submits a self-study that is reviewed by the NASM Commission of Accreditation. Then the NASM sends an on-site visitation team to review the University for a few days. The team visited UT in April 2010; at its recent June meeting, the NASM Commission of Accreditation voted to continue UT musically in good standing.
“This shows students and people outside the University that we meet specific standards set by an accredited body,” said Dr. Timothy Brakel, associate professor and chair of the Department of Music. “When students come here, they know that they can expect to learn valuable skills and information in relation to high music standards.”
Some of the areas that were reviewed at UT were the size and scope of the music program, finances, faculty and staff, facilities and equipment, the library, and instructional programs.
The NASM report had many good things to say about the University. The on-site visitation team identified a number of the department’s greatest strengths:
• An outstanding faculty dedicated to quality teaching, creative activity/research and service;
• Faculty exhibit outstanding productivity with available resources;
• Students appear highly engaged and hard-working;
• Effective leadership by the chair of the Department of Music;
• Strong curricula that address the needs of students;
• Strong administrative support during difficult times;
• Excellent and hard-working staff;
• Facility is equipped with up-to-date technology;
• Exceptional variety of curricular music minors; and
• Excellent music materials in the library.
UT has been accredited since 1972. Its music accreditation will be reviewed again during the 2019-2020 academic year.
“For today’s students to succeed tomorrow, they need a comprehensive education that includes music taught by exemplary music specialists,” Brakel said. “Our curriculum is very strong and works to address the needs of students.”
The University will be able to meet the needs of its music students even better starting in August when the renovation of the Center for Performing Arts is scheduled to be completed.
