Chapter 4

DSA Accreditation has been developed by the PDC to promote consistency and standards for Dalcroze Education in the United States. DSA Accreditation is highly desirable for both students and faculty because it promotes ideals that are intrinsic to Dalcroze Education.

All DSA Accredited programs will meet the following requirements:

1. All US faculty of the program’s core subjects will hold a Dalcroze License or Diplôme Supérieur and be members in good standing of the DSA.
2. The program will provide students with easy access to the most current version of this document (Dalcroze Professional Certificate and Dalcroze License Teacher-Training Manual) in hard copy or electronic copy so that the students understand the structure and components of DSA accredited Dalcroze teacher training here in the US. Training centers may have their own unique program structures, but at least the bare minimum requirements listed the T2 Program will be covered at each level.

Accreditation Guidelines

To apply for DSA Accreditation, please submit the following documents to the PDC:

1. A letter of intent stating commitment to uphold the standards outlined in the T2 Program and to use The Dalcroze Professional Certificate Teacher-Training Program: the T2 Manual as the structural basis for the program’s curriculum
2. A schedule that shows the minimum number of class hours in each of the 5 branches of Dalcroze
   study at each level
3. A list of all faculty and exam jury participants

To maintain DSA Accreditation, the following items must be submitted annually to the PDC:

1. A list of all current faculty and exam jury participants
2. All DSA Accredited programs agree to provide one copy of all level examinations (content and structure) once they are administered. Additional documentation including examination forms can be included, but are optional. These exams will be given to the PDC annually to keep on file for reference, program building, and student support.
   1. These examinations must demonstrate an ongoing support of the standards and guidelines provided in the T2 Manual outlined in Chapters 2 and 3 of this manual. In order for the exams to meet these standards, the exam must represent all of the examination material for each level. The exam may cover additional subjects, but the minimum standard outlined in the T2 Manual must be documented.
   2. For ideas on what these examinations might look like, please view the example exercises in the appendix. Having these examinations on file helps the PDC stay current and adapt this document to the needs of training centers around the country.

Please submit all DSA Accreditation materials to the Professional Development Committee Chair, (pdc-chair@dalcrozeusa.org) and allow at least 60 days for review by the Professional Development Committee. DSA Accreditation of a given institution is ongoing and valid if the Accreditation guidelines are met. (Guidelines are subject to change.) Applications can be submitted at any time. When DSA Accreditation is granted, applicants will be notified by the DSA.

Notes on Accreditation

DSA Accreditation is not required for a Diplômé to offer Certification or Licensure at their own institution; the Diplôme Supérieur guarantees that right. Only those who have applied for DSA Accreditation can claim to be DSA Accredited.

DSA Accreditation only refers to the teacher-training portions of a school’s program. Eurhythmics, Solfège, Improvisation, Pedagogy, or Plastique Animée courses that are not directly related to teacher training are not considered at this time.