The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) granted reaccreditation on Saturday, April 25, to the Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism and Center for Advanced Media Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Of the approximately 500 U.S. colleges and universities that offer academic programs in journalism and mass communications, 109 are accredited. There are also eight accredited international programs. The Reynolds School has been continuously accredited since its initial accreditation in 1970. Accreditation of journalism schools is granted for a six-year period.

“It’s gratifying to receive the unanimous approval of our accrediting body,” said Al Stavitsky, Reynolds School dean. “This continued validation of our work is a tribute to the commitment of our faculty, staff and students.”

The Reynolds School was found in compliance with all nine of ACEJMC accreditation’s 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 external review team visited the Reynolds School in November 2019 and highlighted numerous strengths of the program in its report, including collaborative and creative school leadership, a diverse faculty and student body, a productive faculty dedicated to student success, a supportive university administration, a robust assessment program and strong student services.

The review team also noted the Reynolds School’s “real efforts to address diversity and inclusion issues.” The school was awarded the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Equity and Diversity Award in 2019.

The Reynolds School currently has 23 full-time faculty and 5 part-time faculty providing instruction to approximately 500 students. The program is comprised of five emphases: news, broadcasting and documentary; public relations and advertising; Spanish-language media; media studies; and visual communication. The University’s public radio stations, KUNR and KNCJ, are also part of the school.