Kansas State University

MANHATTAN -- The A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications in the College of Arts and Sciences at Kansas State University has been recommended for reaccreditation by a site team from the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications.

The team visited the campus from Oct. 27-30. It found the school in compliance with all standards except one, assessment.

"This is a testament to the quality of the faculty and students in the school," said Peter Dorhout, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "This was welcome news given that we have just hired a new director and she had to hit the ground running. We could not have done this without the input from so many of the faculty and staff who contributed to the success of the programs."

Accreditation by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications is voluntary. Currently, about 110 journalism and mass communication programs are accredited in the U.S., and two programs abroad, in Chile and in Qatar.

Programs are evaluated on nine standards: mission, governance and administration; curriculum and instruction; diversity and inclusiveness; full-time and part-time faculty; scholarship: research, creative and professional activity; student services; resources, facilities and equipment; professional and public service; and assessment of learning outcomes. An accredited program is reviewed every six years.

The four-person site team included Pam Luecke, head of the journalism and mass communications department at Washington and Lee University; Casear Andrews, Leonard family distinguished professor of ethics and writing at the University of Nevada, Reno; Pat Rose, executive director, American Academy of Advertising; and John Paluszek, senior counsel at Ketchum New York.

After reviewing an extensive self-study report produced by the faculty of the A.Q. Miller School, the team members met and talked with the faculty, staff, students, Dorhout and April Mason, provost and senior vice president at Kansas State University, as well as other constituents from across campus. During their four-day visit, they looked for evidence of indicators listed and described in the self-study. The team was impressed by the faculty and found that their instruction is strong, engaged and up to date.

"We are very proud to have been recommended for reaccreditation. K-State's journalism and mass communication program has a long, rich history," said Birgit Wassmuth, director of the A.Q. Miller School. "Accreditation means a lot to us, our faculty, students and alumni. It is also a decision-making factor for prospective students who are looking for an outstanding program in advertising, journalism and digital media, public relations, or other areas we offer within the broad field of mass communication."

This recommendation for reaccreditation will be reviewed by the Accrediting Committee at its March 22, 2014, meeting in Chicago and by the Accrediting Council at its meeting May 2, 2014, in Arlington, Va., before it becomes final and official.