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Accreditation

The School of Visual Arts has been authorized by the New York State Board of Regents (www.highered.nysed.gov) to confer the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts on graduates of programs in 3D Animation and Visual Effects; Advertising; Animation; Comics; Design; Film; Fine Arts; Illustration; Interior Design; Photography and Video; Visual and Critical Studies; and to confer the degree of Master of Arts on graduates of programs in Art Education; Curatorial Practice; Design Research, Writing, and Criticism; and to confer the degree of Master of Arts in Teaching on graduates of the program in Art Education; and to confer the degree of Master of Fine Arts on graduates of programs in Art Practice; Computer Arts; Design; Design for Social Innovation; Fine Arts; Illustration as Visual Essay; Interaction Design; Photography, Video, and Related Media; Products of Design; Visual Narrative; and to confer the degree of Master of Professional Studies on graduates of programs in Art Therapy; Branding; Data Visualization and Communication; Digital Photography; Fashion Photography; Film Directing.


The School of Visual Arts is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (msche.org), 1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166, Wilmington, DE 19801, 267-284-5011. The Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.


The Interior Design program leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (accredit-id.org), 206 Grandville Avenue, Suite 305, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503-4014.


SVA is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The MAT program in Art Education has been awarded full accreditation by AAQEP through December 31, 2030. Accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to maintain quality.


The MPS Art Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education. Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 25400 US Hwy 19N, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763, 727-210-2350. The program meets all educational requirements for licensure in New York State as a Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT) and Registered Art Therapist (ATR) with the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB).

  • The School of Visual Arts offers programs designed to prepare students for professional licensure or certification in the State of New York. Because licensure requirements vary by state, SVA provides the following information in compliance with federal regulations.

    MPS in Art Therapy

    The MPS in Art Therapy is a 60-credit immersive program. It is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education. Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. The program meets all educational requirements for licensure in New York State as a Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT) and Registered Art Therapist (ATR) with the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB).

    StatusStates/Territories
    Meets RequirementsNew York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia, Delaware. As a CAAHEP-accredited program, SVA meets the rigorous, standardized educational requirements for entry-level art therapy practice. While the education is generally accepted, verification of specific post-graduate experience, jurisprudence exams, or specialized coursework required by the licensing board in the specific state is imperative.
    Does Not MeetCalifornia. Requires specific additional coursework in California Law & Ethics and Suicide Prevention not currently in the MPS Art Therapy curriculum.
    Not DeterminedAlabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and all U.S. Territories.

    Note to Art Therapy Students: Many states regulate art therapy under "Licensed Professional Counselor" (LPC) standards. Students seeking licensure outside NY are encouraged to consult the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) regarding the Registered Art Therapist (ATR) credential, a national standard often used in conjunction with state licenses.

    MAT in Art Education

    The 36-credit MAT program is designed specifically to meet the requirements for New York State Initial and Professional Certification (Visual Arts PK-12). The MAT in Art Education program is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) until December 2030. AAQEP is recognized as a programmatic accreditor for professional educator preparation programs by the Council for Higher Education (CHEA).

    StatusStates/Territories
    Meets RequirementsNew York.
    Meets via ReciprocityGraduates are typically eligible for reciprocal certification in the following states via the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia.
    Does Not MeetNone determined at this time.
    Not DeterminedAll U.S. Territories.

    Note to Art Education Students: While the NASDTEC agreement facilitates movement between states, it is not necessarily "full" reciprocity. Students may need to complete additional requirements, such as coursework, assessments, or classroom experience, before receiving a full professional certificate in the new state. Students should contact the Department of Education in their target state for specific out-of-state application instructions.

    Important Disclaimer for All Students

    For the purposes of these disclosures, your "location" is the state where you are physically present while participating in the program. If you relocate during your studies, you must update your address by completing the Address Change Form and submitting it to the Registrar’s Office within 14 days.


    SVA has not made a determination for states listed as "Not Determined." If you are located in one of these states, we recommend you contact the respective state licensing board to ensure our program meets their specific educational requirements before enrolling or relocating.