Accreditation

Accreditation header

Learn more about Academy of Art University’s accreditations in CIDA, CTC, NAAB, WSCUC, and read our Non-Discrimination Statement.

CIDA Accreditation

CIDA Accreditation

Council for Interior Design Accreditation
The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) is an independent, non-profit accrediting organization for interior design education programs at colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. The BFA Interior Architecture & Design and the MFA Interior Architecture & Design programs are both accredited by the CIDA. CIDA is located at:

206 Grandville Ave., Suite 350
Grand Rapids, MI
49503-4014

Tel. 1-616-458-0400

See more

CTC Accreditation

CTC Accreditation

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Accreditation
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) is an agency in the Executive Branch of California State Government. The major purpose of the agency is to serve as a state standards board for educator preparation for the public schools of California, the licensing and credentialing of professional educators in the State, the enforcement of professional practices of educators, and the discipline of credential holders in the State of California. CTC accredits the Academy of Art University’s Single Subject Art Teaching Credential Program. They are located at:

1900 Capitol Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95811
Tel: 916-322-6253

NOTE: The online Art Teaching Credential and the Masters in Art Teaching requires fieldwork assignments in observing and teaching art to pupils in local Bay Area public schools.

NAAB Accreditation

NAAB Accreditation Badge

The National Architectural Accrediting Board [NAAB.org]

Statement on NAAB-Accredited Degrees

In the United States, most registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board [NAAB.org], which is the sole agency authorized to accredit professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year term, an eight-year term with conditions, or a three-year term of initial accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established education standards.

Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a non-accredited undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the non-accredited degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.

The Academy of Art University, School of Architecture, offers the following NAAB-accredited degree programs:

Access to NAAB Conditions and Procedures

  1. Conditions for Accreditation, 2020 Edition (latest)
  2. Conditions for Accreditation in effect at the time of the last BArch visit (2014 edition)
  3. Procedures for Accreditation, 2020 Edition (latest)
  4. Procedures for Accreditation in effect at the time of the last BArch visit (2015 edition)

Student Access to Career Development Information

Architecture students and alumni have an array of resources for career planning specific to architecture.
https://architecture.academyart.edu/about/career-planning-support/

In addition, architecture students can get licensing advice from IPAL Advisor and NCARB Licensing Advisor.
https://architecture.academyart.edu/about/licensing-advisors/

University-wide career services and proprietary job board support students in all majors.
https://www.academyart.edu/careers-alumni/career-services/

Public Access to Accreditation Reports and Related Documents

  1. Most recent decision letter from NAAB awarding accreditation
  2. Architecture Program Report submitted for the last visit
  3. NCARB ARE pass rates

 

WSCUC Accreditation

WASC Senior College and University Commission
Academy of Art University is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), currently on warning, one of the seven associations that accredit public and private colleges and schools in the United States. WSCUC is located at:

1080 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 500
Alameda, CA, 94501
510-748-9001

WSCUC Accreditation
On February 13, 2026, the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) voted to issue a Warning to Academy of Art University.

A Warning reflects the Commission’s finding that an institution fails to meet one or more of the Standards of Accreditation. The Commission has determined that Academy of Art University is not in compliance with WSCUC Standards 2 and 3 specifically Standard 2, CFR 2.10 and Standard 3, CFR 3.4. When the Commission finds that an institution fails to meet one or more of the Standards of Accreditation, it is required to notify the institution of these findings and give the institution a period of time to correct the deficiencies. The Commission has provided a timeframe that extends to February 27, 2028, unless a good cause extension is granted. It is the responsibility of the Commission to determine, at the end of the sanction period, whether the institution has made the necessary corrections and has come into compliance with Commission Standards.

The accredited status of Academy of Art University continues during the Warning period and students’ status within the University is not affected by this sanction. The University continues to operate normally and students’ ability to complete their programs and access federal financial aid is unchanged.

The Commission’s decision to issue Academy of Art University a Warning is subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Commission Action Letter dated February 27, 2026. The February 27, 2026 Commission Action Letter can be found here. Anyone who has questions about Academy of Art University accreditation status should contact Rachel Lawerence, Accreditation Liaison Officer at Academy of Art University at rlawrence@academyart.edu.

If you have any questions about WSCUC, please contact Rachel Lawrence (RLawrence@academyart.edu), Academy of Art University’s WSCUC Accreditation Liaison Officer.

WSCUC Accreditation for Online Programs
Both onsite and online degree programs at Academy of Art University are accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), currently on warning. The following degree programs are not currently offered online: AA, BFA, MA and MFA in Acting; AAS in Automotive Restoration; BFA and MFA in Textile Design; and MA in Writing & Directing for Film.

Non-Discrimination Statement

Academy of Art University admits students of any race, color, age, religion, and national or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, religion, physical handicap, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.