{"id":2735,"date":"2021-06-11T16:54:35","date_gmt":"2021-06-11T16:54:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abound.college\/mba\/?post_type=advice&p=2735"},"modified":"2021-06-11T16:54:35","modified_gmt":"2021-06-11T16:54:35","slug":"what-is-aacsb-accreditation-and-why-does-it-matter","status":"publish","type":"advice","link":"https:\/\/abound.college\/mba\/advice\/what-is-aacsb-accreditation-and-why-does-it-matter\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is AACSB Accreditation, and Why Does It Matter?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pursuing an MBA requires a huge investment of both your time and money, but for good reason! The skills you will gain and the connections you will make are sure to <\/span>pave the way<\/span><\/a> for higher earnings and greater overall outcomes. As you search for schools to apply to, it\u2019s important to see whether they are <\/span>accredited<\/b><\/a> by verified accrediting bodies. Accreditation is the official quality assurance check that indicates that a school\u2019s curriculum meets the industry standard. Without accreditation, employers and other institutions can\u2019t truly know whether someone with a degree actually received a high-quality education.<\/span><\/p>\n

MBAs and other postgraduate degrees are constantly growing in demand as the job market gets more competitive and as <\/span>distance-learning technologies<\/span><\/a> make education more accessible for working adults. And, sadly, wherever there is money to spend, there are <\/span>scammers<\/span><\/a> to look out for. While <\/span>many great<\/span><\/a> colleges and universities offer high-quality online MBAs, many for-profit modules and <\/span>fake accreditors<\/span><\/a> are offering fast tracks to \u2018degrees\u2019 that ultimately won\u2019t be worth much during your job search.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Avoid paying for a fake degree\u2014pursue your MBA at an institution that is accredited by AACSB so that you know your education will be valued by employers and valuable to your skills as a business leader.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is the AACSB?<\/span><\/h3>\n

The <\/span>Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business<\/span><\/a> (AACSB) is an internationally recognized nonprofit that independently reviews business curricula across the globe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSynonymous with the highest standards of excellence since 1916, AACSB provides quality assurance, business education intelligence, and learning and development services to over 1,700 member organizations and more than 900 accredited business schools worldwide.\u201d \u2013 <\/span><\/i>About AACSB<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

AACSB-accredited schools are among the strongest and most comprehensive institutions for higher learning in business. Holding a degree from any of these schools will make your experience unquestionable!<\/span><\/p>\n

Is AACSB Accreditation Important?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Yes! Companies actively seek qualified graduates from AACSB-accredited schools over those from non-AACSB schools specifically because of the standards they know that the graduates have met. This credential stands so strongly on its own that applicants are given a second look.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Russ Jones<\/b><\/a>, Dean of the <\/span>Arkansas Tech University\u2019s<\/span><\/a> College of Business, also stresses this accreditation\u2019s importance. <\/span>\u201cThe AACSB is the \u2018gold standard\u2019 in accreditation for collegiate schools of business both in the United States and around the world,\u201d<\/span><\/i> he says. Businesses prioritize applicants with AACSB-accredited degrees <\/span>\u201cbecause of the high standards that the college must meet to receive the accreditation.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not all about just <\/span>getting <\/span><\/i>a job. It is also a promise of lifelong learning that is valuable both to new and current employers. Some businesses offer to pay, at least partially, for some of the tuition and fees associated with their <\/span>employees\u2019 continuing education<\/span><\/a>. If you are not choosing to attend an AACSB-accredited school, however, your chances of getting school paid for are slim.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Does a School Become AACSB Accredited?<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cInitially, a college of business requests permission to be a candidate for accreditation by the AACSB,\u201d<\/span><\/i> says <\/span>Dr. Jones<\/b>. <\/span>\u201cData is collected and submitted from faculty, administration, and students over a period of time.\u201d<\/span><\/i> The college compiles the data and submits an in-depth report to AACSB, who then performs an on-site visit for a more in-depth look of the college in practice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The AACSB accreditors investigate the schools\u2019 administration and curriculum and make a recommendation to the organization\u2019s accreditation committee. If the AACSB Board of Directors are satisfied with the accreditors\u2019 report, they grant the accreditation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The process doesn\u2019t end there! <\/span>Dr. Jones<\/b> confirms that maintaining accreditation with AACSB is an ongoing point of focus that schools should have. <\/span>\u201cIf accredited, the college will immediately begin a phase of continuous improvement because the accreditation must be reaffirmed every five years. Therefore, it is a continuous process.\u201d <\/span><\/i>It\u2019s not enough to earn accreditation once; schools are expected to maintain their quality in order to hold onto this accolade.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Resources Do the AACSB Provide?<\/span><\/h3>\n

AACSB\u2019s recognized schools are part of a broader community of excellence, connecting students and alumni to other leaders from over 890 high-quality institutions. Members have insight into how other schools are handling curriculum development, research output, scholarships, salaries, entrance requirements, and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At a practical level, the assistance of AACSB in its accredited schools takes the form of sponsored conferences and seminars, course materials, and mentorships:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen educational, professional, and business organizations become members of the AACSB Business Education Alliance, they are part of a movement united to improve the quality of business education around the world. AACSB connects, shares, and inspires innovation and quality throughout the member network, as well as the business community. The collective strength of the organization is founded on diverse perspectives, a global mindset, and a commitment to making a difference.\u201d \u2013 <\/span><\/i>About AACSB<\/span><\/p>\n

What Should You Expect When Applying to an AACSB School?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Just as the schools have to meet a high standard in order to receive accreditation, so too do applicants need to meet a high standard and show their potential as dedicated, skilled students. For example, while some schools are shying away from requiring <\/span>GMAT and\/or GRE<\/span><\/a> scores, it is still common practice for AACSB schools to require them. Expect to find more stringent application requirements, and make sure to review your application with a fine attention to detail.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some colleges may also ask you to schedule an <\/span>interview<\/span><\/a> with an admissions representative so that you can speak about all that your written application may not have communicated. The admissions process can be rigorous, but it is all an attempt to see your ability to manage pressure and lead with confidence.<\/span><\/p>\n

Making a Choice for Your MBA<\/span><\/h3>\n

Now that you understand the importance of verified accreditation, you\u2019re ready to start your search! Beyond Dr. Jones\u2019 home at Arkansas Tech University, take a look at a few examples of schools whose AACSB-accredited programming goes above and beyond to train powerful leaders.<\/span><\/p>\n