Statement of Accreditation Status
Pennsylvania College of Art & Design
- CEO: Dr. Michael Molla, President
- Accreditation Liaison Officer: Dr. Carissa Massey
- Commission Staff Liaison: Dr. Anne Wahl, Vice President
- Carnegie Classification: Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools » Four-year, very small, primarily residential
- Control: Private (Non-Profit)
- Phase: Accredited
- Status: Accreditation Reaffirmed
- Candidacy Granted: 2004
- Accreditation Granted: 2008
- Last Reaffirmation: 2023
- Next Self-Study Evaluation: 2030-2031
- March 9, 2023
To acknowledge receipt of the self-study report. To note that the institution hosted a virtual site visit in lieu of an on-site visit in accordance with the United States Department of Education (USDE) guidelines published March 17, 2020. To reaffirm accreditation. To note that a verification visit is required by USDE guidelines and will be conducted within a reasonable period of time following the virtual site visit. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2030-2031. - June 17, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the second alternative delivery method-distance education program (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation and Game Art) within the institution's scope of accreditation. To note that the Commission reserves the right to rescind approval of this substantive change if any developments reveal additional information that might have affected the Commission's decision and/or the requested substantive change is not implemented within one calendar year from the date of this action. - June 17, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the first alternative delivery method-distance education program (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design) within the institution's scope of accreditation. To note that the Commission reserves the right to rescind approval of this substantive change if any developments reveal additional information that might have affected the Commission's decision and/or the requested substantive change is not implemented within one calendar year from the date of this action. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2022-2023. - April 16, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of formal written notice from the institution in response to the Commission's request of March 9, 2020. To temporarily waive Substantive Change Policy and Procedures and allow the use of distance education to accommodate students impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) interruptions, in accordance with United States Department of Education (USDE) guidelines published March 5, 2020. Continued use of distance education beyond the limitations of USDE guidelines will require substantive change approval in accordance with Substantive Change Policy and Procedures. This flexibility is not available for clock-hour courses that lead to licensure if the licensing body will not accept distance learning courses or hours or give credit for them toward the number of hours a student must complete. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2022-2023. - March 5, 2020
To note that the Mid-Point Peer Review has been conducted and no further evidence is required at this time. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2022-2023. - June 27, 2013
To reaffirm accreditation and to commend the institution for the quality of the self-study process. The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2018.
- Distance Education
Approved to offer programs by this delivery method - Correspondence Education
Not approved for this delivery method
Approved Credential Levels
The following represents credential levels included in the scope of the institution’s accreditation:
- Postsecondary award (< 1 year) Included within the scope
- Associate's Degree or Equivalent Included within the scope to offer ONE program: Design Thinking (DTH)
- Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Included within the scope
- Main Campus
Pennsylvania College of Art & Design
204 North Prince Street
Lancaster, PA 17608-0059
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