ACCPAS encourages institutions to consolidate, coordinate, or correlate accreditation reviews with other internal or external reviews of their arts program(s). The National Office staff will facilitate consolidation or coordination consistent with ACCPAS procedures, and will do everything possible to help institutions and programs maintain a reasonable evaluation load and avoid duplication of effort. Requests in this regard should be made as early as possible in the application process, preferably at least two years in advance of the on-site visit. Specific protocols for each consolidation or coordination must be approved in advance of the visit by the ACCPAS Executive Director.
If the institution wishes the ACCPAS visit to be joint with NASAD or NAST, or concurrent with that of another accrediting agency, or if the institution wishes to schedule a joint visit with NASM or NASD for review of its community education division and its degree-granting program, the ACCPAS National Office should be so informed on the Notice of Intention to Apply form. Preferably, this notice is preceded by a telephone call to the National Office.
If the institution wishes the ACCPAS evaluators to visit jointly for ACCPAS and other non-arts accrediting agencies, the ACCPAS National Office should be advised at the same time as the national office of the other accrediting body, and at least 24 months before the scheduled visit. Normally, at least one on-site ACCPAS staff consultation and ACCPAS staff presence during the visit are required for joint visits. Remember to note your request on the Notice of Intention to Apply form.