The University of Dayton is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The major responsibility of NASAD is the accreditation of education programs in art and design, including the establishment of curricular standards and guidelines for specific degrees and credentials. Institutional membership is gained only through the peer review process of accreditation.

The Association also provides counsel and assistance to established and developing institutions and programs. NASAD is recognized by the United States Department of Education as the agency responsible for the accreditation of all art and design curricula.

NASAD works with other peer associations such as the AIGA, the professional association for design, the American Craft Council (ACC), the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD), the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), and the National Art Education Association (NAEA).

NASAD participates in the national conversation about educational issues with special emphases on art and design, the arts, and higher education.

The B.F.A. in Art Education degree program is also accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

The dimensions of diversity important to our department include the racial, ethnic, gender, and socio-economic differences reflected within society. It is important that we reflect this diversity in our makeup and our teaching efforts.  We strive to attract a student body that represents the diversity of our region and our nation and attract and retain faculty of diverse perspectives. Read our statement below:

Departmental Diversity Statement

We believe the effective pursuit of knowledge requires the inclusion of multiple perspectives. Towards this end, we are committed to cultivating the understanding of diverse peoples in society. Through our curricular offerings, we engage students in scholarship, critical discourse, and experiential learning concerned with cultural diversity. We recognize the diversity of both local and global communities, as we educate students to engage the complexities of living in and contributing to a pluralistic society and workplace. We honor the spirit of diversity, in all its forms, including race, ethnicity or cultural identity, gender, socio–economic status, disability/ability, religious belief, sexual orientation or age.

Students acquire the skills required to give visual form to intellectual and emotional experience. They are introduced to a variety of materials, tools, and processes and are expected to become familiar with all basic aspects of art and design practice and to achieve genuine proficiency with selected media. As they advance, students refine their skills and employ them in more sophisticated practice; they are strongly encouraged to experiment and take risks. Mastery of art and design skills and processes are essential not only to the successful production of work, but also to the student’s self-awareness as an artist and to a sense of dedication and pride in the work produced.

Students examine their own work as well as the work of past and present artists, designers, photographers, and scholars to constantly challenges assumptions and disclose fresh perspectives. An understanding of concepts and contexts develops through the practice of penetrating and articulate critical thinking. Students learn the values associated with tradition. They also learn to appreciate contemporary perspectives that confront tradition and provoke fresh thinking. Students become accomplished in the ability to identify works of art and design and analyze the significance and influences that played a role in their production. The various skills of critical thinking in the visual arts are strongly supported by the full spectrum of liberal arts studies.

Students learn the values of dedication and self-discipline through the practices of art and design and scholarly research and writing. This teaches the values of shared experience and collaboration as well as the values of independence and individuality. Students learn that personal values and self-expression are intimately connected with social, cultural, political, economic, and religious values. Through art and design practice and study, students are aware of the importance of global and multi-cultural issues and ways in which their singular experiences relate to universal concerns, leading to greater awareness of class, gender, racial and ethnic diversity. Students achieve a rich and inclusive sense of themselves.

Students prepare for professional practice within their chosen fields as they acquire essential skills, pursue integrated liberal arts learning, and develop a sense of their values as responsible citizens of the world. Student work is reviewed in contexts appropriate to their ambitions, which may include graduate education or embarking directly on a careers in art and design practice. Internships and related practical experiences are strongly encouraged.

Student foundation work is assessed by faculty in their first semester, second year through the Exchange and in their final semester through their respective capstone courses to ensure students achieve our department's program learning outcomes. 

1. Utilizes visual and formal principles required by the discipline.
2. Written and oral communication are informed, organized and persuasive.
3. Utilizes relevant media and technology required by the discipline.
4. Understands disciplinary historical forces, traditions and contemporary issues.
5. Applies disciplinary professional standards in research and practice.                   
6. Connects historical developments, contemporary events and social justice to making and analysis.
7. Applies disciplinary concepts, principles and methods in solving problems through critical and interdisciplinary synthetic thinking.