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The National Association of Schools of Dance was established in 1981 to develop a closer relationship among schools and programs of dance for the purpose of examining and improving practices and professional standards in dance education and training.

A general statement of aims and objectives follows:

• To establish a national forum to stimulate the understanding and acceptance of the educational disciplines inherent in the creative arts in higher education in the United States.
• To establish threshold standards centered on the knowledge and skills necessary to develop academic and professional competence at various program levels.
• To foster the development of instruction of the highest quality while simultaneously encouraging varied and experimental approaches to the teaching of dance.
• To evaluate, through the processes of voluntary accreditation, schools of dance and programs of dance instruction in terms of their quality and the results they achieve, as judged by experienced examiners.
• To assure students and parents/guardians that accredited dance programs provide competent teachers, adequate facilities and equipment, and sound curricula and are capable of attaining their stated objectives.
• To counsel and assist institutions in developing their programs and to encourage self‑evaluation and continuing studies toward improvement.
• To invite and encourage the cooperation of professional dance groups and individuals of reputation in the field of dance in the formulation of appropriate curricula and standards.
• To maintain a national voice to be heard in matters pertaining to dance, particularly as they would affect member institutions and their stated objectives.

The Association’s main role is that of a specialized, professional accrediting agency. Accreditation is the process whereby an association or agency recognizes an institution as having met certain qualifications or standards. In NASD, the process focuses upon two principal concerns: educational quality and institutional probity. The review of educational quality is made according to nationally recognized standards developed by the Association with the full participation of its member institutions and in consultation with various professional groups in the field of dance. The review of probity is made by determining whether the institution is indeed providing the educational services it says it is offering to the public, and whether its own stated operational procedures are being followed.

NASD provides consultation services to developing institutions and programs. Consultative services are associated with and in addition to the Association’s accreditation function.

The Association publishes books and reports, holds an Annual Meeting and other forums, and provides information to leaders of dance programs.

NASD pursues an analysis and publications program on issues in dance, the arts, education, accreditation, and cultural development.

Annually, NASD collects, compiles, and publishes statistics associated with the operations of dance schools and departments. More information can be found under the Higher Education Arts Data Services (HEADS) project.

NASD provides information to the general public about accreditation and its relationship to educational programs in dance. All published documents of the Association are available to the public.