Newberry College has earned renewed membership and accreditation with the National Association of Schools of Music, following successful completion of its comprehensive evaluation process.

“The Department of Music at Newberry College continues to shine as we prepare students for 21st-century careers in music,” said Dr. Jonathan Hall, chair of music and choral director. “This milestone speaks to the quality and commitment of our faculty, staff and administration to high-quality, student-centered education.”

According to the association, “accreditation, in practical terms, is a stamp of approval; a sign that an institution ascribes to, believes in, and has met an external set of basic criteria for the programs it offers. In some cases, accreditation assists in the transfer of credits from one institution to another. In all cases, it indicates that threshold standards are adhered to in a fashion that provides a base of academic strength and operational integrity.”

Accreditation was renewed for Newberry’s three music degree programs: Bachelor of Arts in music, with general and music theory focuses; Bachelor of Music Education, with choral and instrumental focuses; and Bachelor of Music in performance, with instrumental and vocal focuses.

Newberry College has been a proud member of the National Association of Schools of Music since 1979.

Founded in 1924, the National Association of Schools of Music is an organization of schools, conservatories, colleges, and universities with approximately 628 accredited institutional members. It 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.

The association is recognized by the United States Department of Education as the agency responsible for the accreditation of all music curricula.