The multi-year process now puts NAU in rarified company—it is one of around 190 institutions to carry the accreditation.
“I am so proud of my faculty, staff and the past students (who helped) in this process,” said Kathleen McGeever, chair of the Department of Theatre. “It is an achievement to be celebrated and speaks to the quality, hands-on, experiential program we offer.”
NAST establishes national standards for education in theatre and theatre-related disciplines, and provides assistance to institutions and individuals engaged in artistic, scholarly, educational and other theatre-related endeavors.
“This is a great honor for not just our department of theatre but for our college and the university as a whole,” said College of Arts and Letters Dean Chris Boyer. “We now join the short list of universities in this country that are accredited institutional members of the NAST. Thanks to Prof. McGeever and all of those who put in countless hours of work to earn such an outstanding recognition for our institution.”
The Department of Theatre began work to prepare for the accreditation in 2016, though the official process began in 2018.