Awards and Accreditation

NASAD Accreditation

The National Association of Schools of Art and Design is an organization of approximately 248 schools of art and design, primarily at the collegiate level, but also including precollegiate and community schools for the visual arts disciplines.

It is the national accrediting agency for art and design and art and design-related disciplines.

UW-Stout is an accredited institutional member of NASAD.   

Malcolm Baldrige Award

The Baldrige Award is given by the President of the United States to businesses, educational institutions, and health care organizations that apply and are judged to be outstanding in seven areas: leadership, strategic planning, customer and market focus, information and analysis, human resource focus, process management, and business results.

UW-Stout is the first Malcolm Baldrige Award recipient in higher education.

UW–Stout has since worked with educational institutions in 39 states and 25 countries, sharing information and assisting schools that are interested in quality improvement through the application of the Baldrige criteria.

CIDA Accreditation

The UW-Stout Interior Design Program, leading to a Bachelor of Fine Arts: Interior Design was awarded continued accreditation by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (formerly known as FIDER) in 2012 for a term of six years. The Interior Design program was first accredited in 2000.

Professional level programs accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation voluntarily place themselves before the scrutiny of the profession to ensure that students receive an education that will serve them not only during their time at school, but also prepare them for future professional growth. Students enrolled in an accredited interior design program can be confident that the program meets the quality standards recognized by the profession.

Throughout its 35+ year history, the Council for Interior Design Accreditation has selectively awarded accreditation (or re-accreditation) to colleges and universities throughout North American that adhere to its current standards and provide quality education in support of the profession and the public interest.