This page provides an overview of these accreditations. For certain programs additional details, disclosures, required accreditation documentation, or program statistics continue on linked pages.
Many US states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing an A&A degree program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map. (Available July 2020.)
- Accreditation Information For
- Architecture
- Graphic Design
- Landscape Architecture
- School of Music
- School of Theatre
- School of Visual Arts
Architecture
The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Architecture, offers the following two degree programs accredited by The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation:
B.Arch. (162 undergraduate credits)
Next accreditation visit for B.Arch. program: 2022
M.Arch. (preprofessional degree + 97 graduate credits)
Next accreditation visit for M.Arch. program: 2027
Graphic Design
The bachelor of design (B.Des.) in Graphic Design program at Penn State is accredited through the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
NASAD is an association of approximately 323 schools of art and design, primarily at the collegiate level, but also including postsecondary non-degree-granting schools for the visual arts disciplines. It is the national accrediting agency for art and design and art and design-related disciplines.
Landscape Architecture
Programs accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) are required to provide reliable information to the public. Programs must report on accreditation status and its performance. This information is to help potential students make informed application decisions.
Penn State has a professionally accredited undergraduate degree (B.L.A.) and a professionally accredited graduate degree (M.L.A.). Both programs provide students the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to pursue professional practice and licensure in landscape architecture.
School of Music
The Penn State School of Music is accredited through the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), an organization of schools, conservatories, colleges, and universities with approximately 650 accredited institutional members.
NASM establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for music and music-related disciplines, and provides assistance to institutions and individuals engaged in artistic, scholarly, educational, and other music-related endeavors.
School of Theatre
All undergraduate degree programs in the School of Theatre are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST), an organization of schools, conservatories, colleges, and universities with approximately 188 accredited institutional members.
NAST establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for theatre and theatre-related disciplines, and provides assistance to institutions and individuals engaged in artistic, scholarly, educational, and other theatre-related endeavors.
Affiliations
School of Visual Arts
SoVA maintains institutional membership with the main professional associations, and art and art education degree programs are fully accredited.
Affiliations
- College Art Association (CAA)
- National Art Education Association (NAEA)
- National Council of Art Administrators (NCAA)
- Pennsylvania Art Education Association (PAEA)