Colorado State University – Pueblo receives program accreditations in music, social work

Pueblo- The departments of music and social work in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS) at Colorado State University – Pueblo recently received notice of successful re-accreditation by their respective disciplines. While all university programs hold accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, these two CHASS programs recently underwent discipline specific reviews from separate national organizations.

Accreditation is a non-governmental system of academic review. It is a process which periodically evaluates and produces an independent judgment by peers about the extent to which an institution or program achieves its own educational objectives and meets the standards established by an Association.

Interim CHASS Dean Roy Sonnema said significant time and effort was expended by faculty, staff, and students in both the departments to bring about the successful results.

The Department of Music received notice of unconditional renewal of accreditation in good standing for the next 10 years from the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The Music Department has been accredited by NASM since 1962. Preparing for the accreditation review included the compilation of an extensive self-study by the music faculty, with input from students, faculty, administration, and alumni. As a result of the self-study and its in-depth comparison to the NASM national standards, the Department embarked upon a complete reform of the curricula and courses, as well as an aggressive recruiting campaign for new students by a number of the faculty.

A two-day on-site visit by an NASM-appointed team occurred in April of 2004, resulting in a number of recommendations to the Department for improved compliance with the national standards. The Department worked extensively with students, staff, and administration to implement these recommendations, resulting in a formal Response to NASM presenting a detailed plan for consideration by the Commission on Accreditation. The Commission then responded with several action items to be implemented in order for membership in the Association to be continued in good standing and renewal of accreditation to be granted.

As a result, with the support of the institution, the Department added new faculty, renovated facilities, procured equipment and other resources, increased its operating budget, and made further reforms to the curricula. In addition, due to significant efforts and service to schools in the region on the part of a number of faculty, aided by a scholarship fund and growth in quality of music ensembles, enrollment in the Department increased by nearly 200 percent, reaching a 20-year high.

NASM is an association of approximately 610 schools of music, primarily at the collegiate level.
The Visiting Team and Commission commended the music faculty and chair for “resurrecting a program which was nearly extinct” and for their attention to recruiting, which “has yielded positive results for the department in terms of enrollment and quality of entering students.” During the visit, the accrediting team received numerous comments from local music educators about the “revitalization of the department’s image.”

Earlier this summer, the Department of Social Work received “reaffirmation of accreditation” by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the national accrediting body for undergraduate and graduate throughout the country.

Although social work majors are awarded the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree through CSU-Pueblo, students may complete the requirements for the major at the Colorado Springs satellite campus in Colorado Springs (evening program) as well as on the main campus in Pueblo (day program). The Social Work program has been continuously accredited by CSWE since 1982. National accreditation is a rigorous process which includes a full review of programs through the submission of written documents and a site visit by a CSWE review team.

The Social Work Program at CSU-Pueblo prepares students for beginning social work practice and graduate education. Diversity is emphasized throughout the curriculum and extensive service to community agencies is provided through volunteer work (45 hours per major), field placements (448 hours per major), and extra-curricular activities (Student Social Work Association & Zeta Delta Chapter of the Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society).



Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.