Exploring AACSB Accreditation for Business Programs
Business is an incredibly competitive field. Employers seek graduates from institutions that provide a high quality business education and with strict standards. Though there are many accredited institutions that do just that, one way to be assured of a university’s reputation is to check to see if its business program has been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), which has an international reputation for being one of the most trusted business accrediting agencies in the world. The AACSB is fully committed to the continuous improvement of business education. Employers will therefore view graduates from AACSB-accredited institutions as being more than adequately prepared for the fast-paced nature of business, management, and administration.
Established as a non-profit organization in 1916, the AACSB was created with the goal of providing networking opportunities for business schools. The AACSB formed accreditation standards in 1919, with the hope of encouraging business education to progress. Since the AACSB first adopted those standards, they have continuously rewritten and revised them to meet new developments and trends in business, such as the ever-evolving nature of technology and the global economy. In order to address the challenges of providing a thorough and useful business education, the AACSB provides a number of services for its member schools, such as seminars and sponsorships. By providing opportunities for development, the AACSB helps colleges and universities stay on top of providing top-notch education.
Keep in mind, though, that a college or university that is a member of the AACSB is not necessarily accredited by the AACSB. Membership provides a number of perks, including access to networking opportunities, access to professional associations, and guidance toward becoming accredited. However, obtaining membership does not guarantee accreditation. Colleges and universities that obtain AACSB accreditation undergo a voluntary procedure of self-review, outside evaluation on their programs, and a comparison of their standards and the AACSB’s education standards. This includes the expectations of a current, qualified faculty, a relevant and stringent curriculum, and an interactive environment. Accredited schools must also continuously strive to improve upon business education. There are other standards as well, in areas of participation and independence, branding and distinctiveness, and control and autonomy. Accreditation is only awarded to the programs with the best quality of education, and once accredited, colleges and universities are consistently reviewed for development and commitment.
The AACSB accredits both campus-based and online business programs. In order to determine whether or not a school has been accredited by the AACSB, potential students can visit the AACSB’s website and check the list of accredited institutions. Online business programs that are accredited by the AACSB can be found at Pennsylvania State University, Temple University, St. Joseph’s University, and other universities as well. All business programs, whether campus-based or online, should be accredited. However, only the institutions that carry AASCB accreditation will be regarded with international prestige.
Employers worldwide recognize that the AACSB has rigorous standards, and that the association is highly selective when it comes to accrediting colleges and universities. Recognized internationally as being highly selective, graduating from an AACSB-accredited school will give students the cutting edge of their peers and will open up more career opportunities than graduating from a college or university that has not acquired AACSB accreditation.
