Why Is AACSB accreditation Important?

When it comes to Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs, accreditation is important both to students and to prospective employers. Accreditation provides both groups with assurance that a degree program meets high standards for academic excellence.

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) dates back to nearly a century before the idea of an online MBA program was created. In fact, the country's most prestigious Ivy League universities were among its founders. While there are various accreditation bodies that work with colleges and universities, AACSB founders knew that the business world needed a higher level of accreditation for its professionals.

An elite group of schools

Those higher expectations and more demanding level of accreditation are reflected in the fact that only about 5 percent of the world's university-level business programs have earned the accreditation.

This gives both students and prospective employers the assurance that graduates of an AACSB-accredited online MBA program have achieved success within a rigorous course of study. Students entering these programs know that they are associating themselves with the highest-caliber business schools. Hiring companies in turn know that graduates of these schools have achieved success at one of the most highly rated business schools.

That's the big picture, but there are a number of details that contribute to the prestige and importance associated with AACSB accreditation. Among these is the relevance of the education students receive when they complete their MBA through a university whose business school is accredited by the AACSB.

The accreditation process

Throughout the accreditation process and during the mandatory five-year reviews, AACSB makes certain that the program is teaching a complete and relevant set of business skills that align with the practical requirements of the current business environment.

In other words, graduates know that what they learn will be immediately applicable when they look for another job. In the same way, employers know that graduates from business schools that hold the AACSB accreditation are able to “hit the ground running.”

When the AACSB evaluates a business school, it looks at its mission, operations, faculty qualifications and contributions, programs, and other areas that are important to students and the operation of the school. Because AACSB evaluators judge the business school as a whole, students know that they will be able to smoothly and efficiently complete their coursework and receive their degrees. They also know that highly qualified faculty members will teach the classes they will take.

Undertaking an online MBA program represents a significant investment for students, in terms of both time and in finances. Similarly, hiring a new MBA graduate is a significant investment for employers. Having the assurance offered by AACSB accreditation is valuable for both groups.

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Learn about University of Texas Rio Grande Valley online MBA Program.

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Source:

Neuman, G. (2011). 4 Crucial Questions About AACSB Accreditation. Retrieved October 14, 2015, from http://www.usnewsuniversitydirectory.com/articles/4-crucial-questions-about-aacsb-accreditation_11552.aspx

AACSB Accreditation: Why it Matters and Which Schools Carry It. (2015, October 6). Retrieved October 14, 2015, from http://finchannel.com/index.php/society/business-education/item/49976-aacsb-accreditation-why-it-matters-and-which-schools-carry-it

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