Accreditation

CalArts is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501, 510-748-9001. 

CalArts is an accredited institution member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD). 

Information concerning these organizations and their decisions is available in the Office of the Provost. 

2021 Reaffirmation

CalArts was last reviewed in 2012, and will be reviewed again March 2-5, 2021.  Since the institute is already accredited, the process is referred to as a reaffirmation of accreditation.  The process involves an institutional self study and a report which is delivered to an external evaluation team.  The self study was conducted between 2018-2020, and the report was developed with a faculty and staff steering committee in 2020.

Timeline for Reaffirmation

timeline for Wasc reaffirmation

Dates

  • May 1, 2019: Themes for Institutional Report due to WSCUC
  • 2019-20: Form steering committes and write the Institutional Report
  • Dec. 23, 2020: Institutional Report due
  • March 3-5, 2021: Accreditation Visit
  • June 2021: Commission Review
  • July 2021: Action Letter

CalArts Steering Committee

  • Tracie Costantino, Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs
  • Mike Bryant, Associate Dean and Faculty, School of Critical Studies
  • Michael Ned Holte, Faculty, School of Art
  • Marisa Mendez-Brady, Faculty, Library and Information Resources
  • Maria-Victoria Perez, Director, Care and Wellbeing
  • Lee Anne Schmitt, Director of Faculty; Faculty, School of Film-Video
  • Jacqui Bobak, Co-Director of VoiceArts; Faculty, School of Music
  • Eva Graham, Institute Diversity Officer
  • Erin Collins, Registrar
  • Damian Lewis, Co-Head of BFA Acting; Faculty, School of Theater
  • Cynthia Young, Associate Dean, School of Dance
  • Camille Benda, Head of Costume Design; Faculty, School of Theater
  • Brian Harlan, Associate Provost for Integrative Learning
  • Bree Howard, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs
  • Anna Jablonski, Interim Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Experience
  • Andrea Fontenot, Chair, Academic Council; Faculty, School of Critical Studies

Read the Report

Please note that the report covers from 2012-2020, and is not limited to the current state.  WSCUC has asked us not to focus on the COVID pandemic, but rather on our theme, and our response to the Commission’s recommendations. Our theme, Strengthening the Student Experience, addresses the following student experiences: mentoring, curriculum credit requirements, academic planning, wellness, and financial aid.  The WSCUC Commission has asked us to address institutional research, program assessment, and equity and diversity.   

The CalArts community can access the report on The Hub (login required).

An individual who wishes to make a complaint relating to the accreditation requirements shall be referred to the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Below are the Complaint Process and Complaint Form.