Dear School Principals, Music Educators, Parents, and Students

We would like to take this opportunity to address the question “Is The Music Academy SA, accredited? In this document, we will answer this question and also clarify certain other aspects with regard to The Music Academy SA and this matter.

The first very important fact that we must clarify is that the courses, meaning the various grades as per instrument, fall under the category called “SHORT LEARNING PROGRAMS”. For this reason, The Music Academy SA is classified as a “SHORT LEARNING PROGRAM PROVIDER”.

Many short learning programs are also called “SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS”. According to the South African Law with regards to accreditation of these types of programs and program providers, there are certain aspects that we should address first and this will be answered in our “QUESTIONS & ANSWERS”. Once you have read these Q & A’s, we believe that the main question about accreditation will be answered. We therefore would request that you read our Q & A and should have any further questions please feel free to contact us directly.

IS THE COURSES (GRADES) OFFERED BY THE MUSIC ACADEMY SHORT COURSES?
All-in-One Solution
Firstly we must note that all the graded examinations offered by The Music Academy falls under the category of short courses.
WHAT IS A SHORT LEARNING PROGRAMME/SHORT COURSE?
It is easier to answer this question by pointing out what a short learning program/short course is not. In South Africa any program of learning that is provided for or one of the qualifications sub frameworks and\or is at least 120 credits of study needs to be accredited and registered as a qualification. Where it is accredited depends on the level. All other courses of study are short learning programs\short courses. Generally speaking, if the study is going to take at least a year or less, it would classified as a short course. The purpose of a short learning program is to provide any person with new or upgraded knowledge or skill in one particular area. The aim is to improve or update the ability of the person to carry out a particular task or specialist skill. Some short courses are of a recreational focus (such as improvisation) and are aimed at developing skills that are for personal development reasons rather than related to career progression. Since pupils generally complete a certain grade in less than a year, then YES our courses(grades) falls under a short course learning program.
ARE SHORT LEARNING PROGRAMMES REGISTERED AND ACCREDITED?
There is no mechanism within the South African regulatory environment for the registration or accreditation of short-learning programs. When the NQF was first set up, it was intended that all short courses would be registered over time but there has never been capacity to do this. In some unit standard-based instances short courses that form part of the learning pathway for a full qualification were registered as a part qualification in their own right but these are few and far between and they have no better status than any other short course. Some short learning programs are recognized by professional associations or vendors - where this is the case it will be clearly indicated.

The complete document with regards to accreditation is available in PDF format. 

Any questions with regard to accreditation, please contact the Registrar at  registrar@themusicacademysa.com