Source: Angela Powers, 785-532-6890, apowers@k-state.edu
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
K-STATE'S JOURNALISM SCHOOL RE-ACCREDITED
MANHATTAN -- The A. Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Kansas State University has been re-accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. The Council met in Arlington, Va., May 2 and voted unanimously in favor of re-accreditation.
"Our goal is to make this school one of the best in the nation, and re-accreditation brings us that much closer to our goal," said Angela Powers, director of the school. "The faculty, students and staff of the school have accomplished a great deal, and I'm pleased that the accrediting council agrees we meet all national standards."
The Council reported that the school successfully passed all nine of the council's standards including curriculum, diversity, research and student services. The council accredits 110 schools of journalism across
the country. Eighteen programs were evaluated this year, and only five of those programs, including the Miller School, were found in complete compliance.
During the site team visit for re-accreditation last October, the team emphasized that while the school received complete compliance, facilities are inadequate and must be addressed by the university before the next accreditation visit in six years. Kedzie Hall is one of the oldest buildings on campus and needs considerable improvements, Powers said.
The team also listed a number of strengths of the program including internships, satisfaction and loyalty of students, quality of instruction, significant research production and commitment to scholastic journalism.
The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications is responsible for the evaluation of journalism and mass communications programs in colleges and universities nationwide. Accreditation is a system of voluntary self-assessment and external review of educational institutions and of professional programs offered by those institutions. Accreditation is an assurance of quality in professional education in journalism and mass communications. Students in an accredited program can expect to find a challenging curriculum, appropriate resources and facilities and a competent faculty. Accredited programs may offer scholarships, internships, competitive prizes, and other activities unavailable in non-accredited programs.