Help! My Program is Losing Accreditation—What Should I Do?
I’m a junior majoring in music history with a focus on early music (specifically the baroque era). Recently, NASM, the accrediting body for music schools, visited my university to evaluate our compliance for re-accreditation. Unfortunately, after their review and student interviews, we’ve been informed that we no longer meet the qualifications for accreditation.
Now I’m worried that my credits won’t transfer to other accredited universities, which could mean I have to completely restart my degree. I understand that my general education credits should transfer and I could potentially “test out” of many of my lecture courses, but over half of my degree is experiential learning. If those credits don’t transfer, I’ll have to redo them, which can’t be done consecutively. This could end up making me a part-time student for the next four years.
I would really appreciate any advice or suggestions! I’m feeling overwhelmed and stressed about this situation. I’ve tried searching online for guidance, but I haven’t found anything relevant. My professors have been hard to reach since the news, likely because they’re busy.
Also, I’m not very experienced with Reddit, so please let me know if I posted in the wrong place or if there’s a better subreddit for this topic. Thank you!
I’m sorry to hear about your situation; it sounds really stressful, but you’re not alone in facing this challenge. Here are some steps you can take to navigate this situation:
Gather Information: Reach out to your academic advisor or department head as soon as possible. They should be able to provide you with detailed information about what the loss of accreditation means for your specific program and how it affects credit transfers.
Explore Transfer Options: Research accredited institutions that offer a similar program. Look into their transfer policies and reach out to their admissions offices to understand how your credits might transfer. Most universities have transfer evaluation services that can help with this.
Talk to Your Professors: While they may be busy, it’s important to seek guidance from your music history professors. They can provide part of the information you need and may have suggestions or connections to other accredited programs.
Consider Temporary Options: If full-time transfer isn’t an option right now, consider enrolling in courses at a nearby accredited school that could be applied to your degree, maintaining academic momentum.
Document Everything: Keep records of your academic performance, course syllabi, and anything that demonstrates your work and achievements in your current program. This will be useful during the transfer process.
Network with Peers: Talk with fellow students who may be in the same situation. They may have insights or suggestions, and it can be helpful to share experiences and strategies.
Stay Informed about the Program: Keep an eye on updates from your university regarding re-accreditation efforts. If the situation changes, it could affect your options moving forward.
Consider Advocacy: If there’s an active student body or organization at your university, consider getting involved. They can sometimes advocate on behalf of students during these transitions.
It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed, but taking proactive steps can help you regain some control over the situation. Keep communicating with your advisors and professors, and don’t hesitate to ask for help. You’ll figure this out!