The North Carolina School of the Arts is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, under the auspices of the Commission on Colleges and the Commission on Secondary and Middle Schools. The High School Academic Program and the Undergraduate Academic Programs are the academic components of the North Carolina School of the Arts, comprising both the high school and college general education programs.

The Undergraduate Academic Program provides a wide array of courses that meet the general education requirements for the Bachelor of Fine Arts or the Bachelor of Music. Students generally take two academic courses per term for a total of 36 to 45 semester credits in the Undergraduate Academic Program; requirements vary depending upon the arts school. Many students take more than the number of required courses and electives by the time they graduate from NCSA.

NCSA awards the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Dance, Design & Production, Drama, and Filmmaking, and the Bachelor of Music (B.M).

College Degree Requirements found in Bulletin

The Arts Diploma program is a college-level program designed to allow students who choose not to pursue a degree at the North Carolina School of the Arts to take arts courses only. These students often include those who have previously completed a baccalaureate degree at another institution. Students with weak academic backgrounds or test scores may also initially be offered admission to the Arts Diploma program. Upon demonstration of sufficient success in the Undergraduate Academic Program, these students may apply for admission to the degree program.

NCSA awards the college Arts Diploma in Dance, Design & Production, Drama, Filmmaking, and Music.

The High School Academic Program grants the North Carolina School of the Arts diploma with concentrations in Dance, Drama, Music, and Visual Arts to students who successfully complete all requirements for their arts program and sufficient college preparatory-level academic courses to meet graduation requirements.  The high school program prides itself on ensuring that its graduates are successful applicants to a diverse array of college and university programs, in arts disciplines and other areas of study.  With the exception of music students in grades 8-10, students take up to four academic courses along with their required arts courses.  Music students in grades 8-10 may take up to five academic courses.