# What are Program Competencies? "Program Competencies" are the competency thresholds set by the UNLV School of Music under [NASM](https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/) (National Association of Schools of Music) [Standard VIII.A.4](https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/M-2025-26-Handbook-Final-02-24-2026.pdf), which requires each accredited institution to define the levels of competency required for graduation. Each course syllabus lists the program competencies that course addresses. ## Translation for the Student NASM is a third-party organization whose standards our School of Music must meet to be considered "a legit school of music" — which helps us receive funding and other important benefits. So we must document and clearly outline what you're going to be capable of once you graduate. ## Actual Function NASM is a third-party, non-profit accreditor. Accreditation is the process of verifying that an institution meets nationally recognized standards for educational quality — and that it actually delivers the education it says it offers and follows its own stated procedures.[^1] [^1]: Paraphrased from https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/about/purposes/