Music Division granted national accreditation

York College was recently granted accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

“This is the primary accreditation agency for schools with music programs,” said Director of the Music Division Frederick Schreiner.

Schreiner said that becoming a NASM member is significant for two reasons. First, it ensures that the music curriculum is constantly improving. Second, it helps with recruitment of new students, because many high school music directors recommend NASM-accredited colleges to their senior music majors.

Accreditation is difficult to achieve, according to Schreiner, as there are many rules and regulations to be followed. A self-study of more than 600 pages meticulously describing the college must be completed and submitted to the NASM Commission. It is then reviewed, and the Commission decides whether or not to grant membership.

Faculty from the Music Division at York College began seriously working toward the accreditation in 1995. Schreiner wrote the self- study, but the entire department collaborated to help make the process successful. “In short, this is a really big step for us here at York College,” he said.

The current accreditation is valid for five years. After that, an updated version of the self-study must be submitted for review. Once membership is granted again, it is valid for another 10 years. Following the second accreditation, the music program must be reviewed every decade.

The Music Division at York College began in the 1980s and has grown and improved since that time. The program currently offers three baccalaureate degrees (bachelor of arts in music, bachelor of science in general music education, bachelor of science in music with studies in music industry and recording technology), a two-year associate degree, and two music minors. Five full-time music faculty members instruct the nearly 100 students who are enrolled in the Division.

Additional information on the history of the Music Division and Schreiner's career at York College -- including video of him reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas -- is available here.