In search of excellence: an interinstitutional comparison of selected United Methodist colleges and music departments that are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music

In higher education, the focus on quahty has been a topic of concern for students, faculty and administrators alike. Much research has been devoted to determining the correlation of certain institutional characteristics to the overall quahty of an institution. This research has largely been devoted to doctoral institutions. Recently, studies have been conducted to determine the quality of undergraduate institutions. However, in both cases, these studies are typically conducted by speciaUzed researchers devoted to institutional research and planning.

The purpose of this study was to conduct an interinstitutional comparison between selected Baccalaureate I and Baccalaureate II United Methodist institutions that have NASM accredited music departments. More specifically, the objectives of the study were to determine what measures of quahty exist at the institutional and departmental levels, while providing an illustration for conducting interinstitutional research.

This study was developed following the work of two such institutional researchers, Dr. Alexander Astin, and Dr. Paul Brinkman. Using the Brinkman-Krakower-Teeter typology, two groups of United Methodist related institutions were selected for study. The study focuses upon the input-output relationships and institutional attractiveness data that were found to be indicators of institutional and departmental quality. Utilizing primary and secondary sources, each of these characteristics are compared in detail. The results of the study found the Baccalarureate I institutions to be superior in areas to the Baccalaureate II institutions, at both the institutional and departmental levels. Several areas of future research are listed as well as specific suggestions for the improvement of music programs in denominationally related institutions. The data and findings of the study may be useful for similar institutions prior to seeking NASM accreditation.