When choosing an MBA program, it’s important to understand a school’s academic credentials. A credentialed MBA program ensures you’ll receive a quality education because the school must meet and maintain specific standards regarding curriculum quality, faculty scholarship and strategic planning to uphold their credentials.
The Gary W. Rollins College of Business at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is proud to uphold accreditation from AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) International for our accredited Online MBA program and our accredited Flexible MBA program. AACSB International accreditation is the highest level of accreditation a business school can achieve. In fact, less than ten percent of the world’s business schools have achieved this prestigious credential.
What Does Accredited Mean?
Accredited means that the school has met standards set forth by an accrediting agency, in this case, the AACSB. AACSB certification guarantees that an academic program meets a core set of educational or training metrics.
There are many nationally recognized accrediting agencies in the US, but AACSB is business school specific.
What Happens During the Accreditation Process?
In the US, various accrediting bodies throughout the country work together to make the accreditation process successful. Although the process to accredit MBA programs varies between accrediting bodies, it takes a long time to meet and complete the requirements for all of them.
For example, let’s look at the AACSB. Accreditation begins with a year-long evaluation process during which time the AACSB will examine the school’s application and develop a plan to align the school’s MBA program with the standards set forth by the AACSB. Next, the AACSB commissions a peer review team to do an onsite evaluation of the school’s MBA program. If accepted, the school’s MBA program will bear AACSB accreditation.
How Important Is It to Check Whether a University Is Accredited?
Choosing a university that is MBA accredited offers the peace of mind of knowing that you’ll receive quality training and education. MBA accreditation often leads to better learning and earning opportunities for graduates.
Although an accredited school often costs more and has challenging admission requirements, they also feature proven track records. Many organizations hire only from accredited schools because they trust the quality-vetting accreditation process.
There are various types of accreditations. The requirements and standards of each differ, and employers may prefer one over another.
What Is Business School Accreditation?
Business school accreditation is a quality assurance process where the operations and services of educational programs or institutions undergo evaluation and verification by an external accrediting agency. When and if standards are achieved, accreditation is granted.
What Does It Mean When a School is AACSB Accredited?
AACSB accreditation is a credential used by business schools to indicate their commitment to excellence. This specialized credential is one of the most prestigious and rigorous accreditations. To remain accredited, business schools must comply with a strict set of standards that change annually. Accredited business schools are required to hire a specific number of full-time faculty members who have higher levels of formal education.
What Is the Benefit of AACSB Accreditation?
Benefits of choosing to attend a school that is AACSB accredited include:
- Assurance the school has a strong, up-to-date business program
- A learning environment of like-minded students – students who are just as serious about their education and the business world as you are
- A focus on business from a school that takes its business programs seriously
- A validated education for potential employers – one that looks good on a resume
- A level playing field – graduating on the same page as other AACSB-accredited school graduates
Why Is AACSB Accreditation Important?
AACSB accreditation ensures a high degree of excellence among both students and faculty members. Accreditation makes it possible for employers to hire high-performing graduates who have a better understanding of business processes.
The AACSB, which has been accrediting business programs for nearly a century, is known for its extremely high standards. The process to become accredited is rigorous, typically taking three-to-seven years to complete. Less than five percent of business programs across the globe have received AACSB accreditation.
In the certification process, the AACSB determines that the business program or university:
- Offers a challenging and robust curriculum
- Maintains well-defined criteria and requirements for students and faculty
- Provides valuable and successful career development
- Dedicates itself to innovation and the contribution of new knowledge to the field of business studies
- Operates ethically
- Sustains adequate levels of financial resources
What Does an AACSB Accredited Degree Mean for You?
AACSB accreditation is an assurance that one will receive a high-quality education. Universities and top companies worldwide recognize and value it. In fact, graduating from a school with an MBA accreditation may give you a leg up when job hunting because some companies limit their hiring to graduates of AACSB accredited programs.
As a matter of fact, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business reports that AACSB accredited degree program graduates have access to more employers and attract higher salary offers.
What Other Types of Accreditations Are There for MBA Programs?
There are three main types of MBA accreditation:
- Regional
- National
- Programmatic
Regional and national accreditations measure quality at the institutional level. Programmatic accreditation, on the other hand, assesses specific programs within an institution.
A few national organizations offer specific program MBA accreditation (programmatic accreditation), including:
- AACSB – Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- ACBSP – Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- AMBA – Association of MBAs
- EQUIS – European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Quality Improvement System
- IACBE – International Accreditation Council for Business Education
The quality recognition of these programs varies as do the standards used to judge them.
Pursuing Your MBA at Gary W. Rollins College of Business
Whether you choose to study in a traditional, campus-based MBA program or an online MBA, you should consider a program that’s dedicated to quality education and continuous academic improvement. That’s why it’s so important to choose AACSB accredited schools and programs.
In a world that has innumerable advanced degree options, you can be confident in the quality of education you’ll receive when pursuing your MBA at the Gary W. Rollins College of Business in both our AACSB accredited Online MBA program and AACSB accredited hybrid Flexible MBA program. Please contact us for more information or if we can answer any questions.
