University programs seek to meet national standards
The graphic design program and the School of Veterinary Medicine at USU have both applied for accreditation and are expecting to hear back on their status.
“These kinds of reviews take time, but we fully expect a positive response on accreditation in the future,” said Chris Terry, associate dean for the Caine College of the Arts. “Graphic design was never accredited at any point during the 25 years I’ve been at USU, nor, to the best of my knowledge, at any point before that.”
Graphic design, which is applying through the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, is part of the department of art and design, Terry said.
“It’s the department that is seeking accreditation of all art and design programs at Utah State,” he said. “As the department takes steps to meet national guidelines there will be changes, and I think it would be accurate to attribute some of the changes in graphic design to the accreditation guidelines, but not all.”
AJ Nelson, a junior in the graphic design program, said the graphic design program didn’t pass accreditation the first time due to the facility. However, she is confident that it will pass this time.
“We have some really good professors like Mike Daines,” Nelson said. “He’s worked for a company that did commercials and movie titles. He’s done stuff with MTV and the movie ‘The Tourist.’ He’s incredible. There’s also Bob Winward, who’s been there a long time. He’s trying to move the program forward. He has a lot of great ideas.”
Accreditation is a very big deal, Terry said.
“It will ensure that students at Utah State are getting an education in art and design that meets national expectations and minimum standards,” he said.
The School of Veterinary Medicine has just been reviewed by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association, said Ken White, dean of the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences.
The School of Veterinary Medicine is expecting official accreditation by this bolding at their next meeting in September 2014, White said.
Accreditation means the program is a “recognized” program by the AVMA for licensure upon completion, White said.
Other departments on campus have sought the opportunities accreditation can provide.
All of the Huntsman School of Business’ programs are accredited, said Guy Ballard, assessment and accreditation specialist for the college.
“The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International is considered the gold standard for business education accreditation worldwide,” he said.
In addition to all business programs being accredited under AACSB, the school’s accounting program also has separate AACSB Accounting Accreditation. This accreditation is developed specifically for schools with advanced programs in accounting and requires a separate, independent application and evaluation process, Ballard said.
“According to AACSB, less than one percent of business school’s worldwide hold both AACSB Business and Accounting Accreditation,” he said. “The school’s business program was first accredited with AACSB in 1972, with accounting programs being separately accredited since 1988.”
There is an economics program that is a social science, non-business program and is not included under the umbrella of AACSB accreditation, Ballard said.
Accreditation by a national institution is required for the Emma Eccles College of Education and Human Services by the Utah State Office of Education, said Francine Johnson, assistant dean for the college. It allows them to recommend graduates to receive teaching licenses and other licenses to work in schools.
“It also provides the recognition nationwide with other states so that they recognize and accept our programs when our graduates go to graduate school out of state or want a license out of state,” Johnson said.
– marissa.neeley@aggiemail.usu.edu