Articles

MBAs And How Accreditation By The AACSB Affects Them

2010-06-25

When looking for a quality MBA degree program, AACSB accreditation is a tool to help your selection process. With so many choices between traditional institutions for MBAs and online MBAs, it can be very helpful. What an accreditation is, what the different types of accreditation are, and why AACSB accreditation is important when selecting an MBA program, are all important things to know to help your selection process.

Accreditation is the process of quality assurance for educational institutions. It is considered to be a kind of peer review and assessment of the service provided by an educational institution. In most countries, accreditation in some form is administered directly by the government. In the United States, accreditation is done by non-governmental entities.

Nationally accredited universities and colleges are verified as having met general standards and qualifications, as determined by the boards of accrediting institutions. Although accreditation is not administered by the US government, the US Department of Education publishes a list of recognized agencies.

The AACSB is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and was established in 1916 in the United States to provide worldwide accreditation. AACSB accreditation is unique in its international scope and its particular niche. Unlike traditional accrediting agencies, its sole purpose is the accreditation of business programs and, more recently, accounting programs.

To achieve AACSB accreditation, an institution must go through a rigorous process. This approval process validates that the institution has a quality staff of educators committed to excellence in education and teaching the most current and relevant information, that the school is well-managed, and that the program produces quality graduates, to name a few of the criteria.

To find a traditional MBA program for online MBAs, accreditation by the AACSB is crucial. Particularly with the rise of online degrees, it is increasingly difficult to sort through the vast number of choices. Pursuing an MBA is an expensive, time-consuming choice that is an investment in your future. AACSB accreditation validates that your selection of an institution to provide this education, is one that will provide the quality education you are looking for. The AACSB has completed a significant portion of research on your behalf by eliminating a number of choices that have not met these criteria.

The decision to pursue an MBA degree is a great choice that can really benefit you in your career path. When selecting traditional or online MBAs and the programs offered, it is exceedingly useful to understand the accreditation process, what AACSB accreditation is, and how it can help your selection through its rigorous criteria for business programs internationally and how it is beneficial to you.