National accreditation reaffirmed for theatre programs at Kennesaw State
The National Association of Schools of Theatre has reaffirmed full accreditation for the Department…
Georgia (Apr 25, 2008) — National accreditation reaffirmed for theatre programs at Kennesaw State
Cheryl Anderson Brown
Abstract
Director of University Relations
Frances Weyand Harrison
770−423−6203
fharris4@kennesaw.edu
Contact: Cheryl Anderson Brown‚ Assistant Director of Public Relations for the College
of the Arts‚ 770−499−3417 or cbrown@kennesaw.edu
National accreditation reaffirmed for theatre programs at Kennesaw State
KENNESAW‚ Ga. (April 25‚ 2008) — The National Association of Schools of Theatre has
reaffirmed full accreditation for the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies
at Kennesaw State University.
“National accreditation signifies the outstanding quality of the faculty and academic
programs available in the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies‚” said Joseph
Meeks‚ dean of the KSU College of the Arts‚ which houses the department. “The re−accreditation
process is a long and rigorous review‚ but its successful completion indicates that
our students are receiving exceptional instruction.”
NAST‚ founded in 1965‚ is an organization of approximately 150 schools‚ conservatories‚
colleges and universities. It establishes national standards for undergraduate and
graduate degrees and other credentials for theatre and theatre−related disciplines.
Institutional membership is gained only through peer review.
“This re−accreditation marks a milestone for our degree program‚” said John Gentile‚
chair of the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies. "This affirmation for
our innovative program of study speaks well for its future and confirms its unique
mission in integrating the two fields of theatre and performance studies."
The department offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre and performance studies‚
with concentrations in acting‚ performance (including storytelling‚ performance art‚
dramaturgy‚ directing and adapting literary texts for the stage)‚ musical theatre
and design/technology. The major provides student artists with a foundation in theatre
as a historic‚ global and aesthetic form‚ through the study of a variety of performance
texts and styles‚ from classical and modern drama to musical theatre‚ folk and literary
narratives‚ performance art‚ and classical and contemporary poetry. Emphasizing the
interrelationship between theory and praxis‚ the major prepares students for entry
into the profession or for graduate study in theatre or other related fields.
The department also houses a dance program that‚ in March 2008‚ received approval
from the University System of Georgia Board of Regents to begin offering a Bachelor
of Arts degree in dance.
The College of the Arts at Kennesaw State University also has programs accredited
by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design‚ the National Association
of Schools of Music and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Accreditation is an academic review which periodically evaluates and produces an independent
judgment by peers about the extent to which an institution or program achieves its
own educational objectives and meets the standards established by NAST. Standards
address operational and curricular issues fundamental to educational quality. The
granting of accreditation signifies that an institution has successfully demonstrated
compliance with the procedures‚ standards‚ and guidelines of the association.
A member of the 35−unit University System of Georgia‚ Kennesaw State University is a comprehensive‚ residential institution with a growing student population of more than 20‚000 from 132 countries. The third−largest university in Georgia‚ Kennesaw State offers more than 60 graduate and undergraduate degrees‚ including doctorates in education and business.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
