Business School Accreditation

Learn about the importance of attending an accredited business school

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• Business Degrees
• Getting a Degree in Business
• Training for Entry-Level Positions
• Business Salaries

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National or regional accreditation assures students, parents and the public that an institution of higher learning adheres to high quality standards based on the latest research and professional practice. An accredited institution must continue to demonstrate during regular review cycles that it is developing and growing, not just maintaining existing standards.

Accreditation by a national or regional accrediting body also creates a gateway for students to participate in federally funded and state financial aid programs. In order to receive federal funds, an institution must be accredited by a national or regional accrediting body recognized by The US Department of Education (DOE). All Business Schools only lists schools accredited by a recognized accrediting body.

Attending an accredited institution can also make you more competitive in the job market; some employers will only accept degrees from a regionally accredited institution when considering promotions or salary.

Business School Accreditation Agencies

National Accreditation

The following organizations grant accreditation to institutions of higher learning located anywhere in the United States and abroad:

AACSB

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) grants national accreditation to undergraduate and graduate business administration and accounting degree programs. AACSB International accreditation is widely regarded as the highest level of accreditation for business schools, as only 25 percent of US business schools achieve AACSB International accreditation—the hallmark of excellence in management education.

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ACBSP

The Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accredits smaller private and public schools that offer associate's, baccalaureate, master's and doctoral-level business degrees that focus on teaching. The ACBSP's national accrediting standards place an emphasis on how the school achieves teaching excellence through outcomes assessment. The accreditation standards are based on quality and the continuous improvement process. More exactly, the process is modeled after the Baldrige National Quality Program and its Criteria for Performance Excellence, a process used by manufacturing, health care and service oriented businesses.

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CHEA

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is a non-governmental association of 3,000 degree-granting colleges and universities dedicated to maintaining academic quality through accreditation. The CHEA recognizes 60 institutional and program-specific accrediting organizations, such as the AACSB, ACBSP and DETC, as well as the regional accrediting bodies listed below.

DETC

The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) grants program-specific accreditation to online or distance learning programs that have been in existence for at least two years. Institutional accreditation is granted by regional or national accreditation agencies.

Regional Accreditation

The following organizations grant accreditation to institutions based on their geographic region in the U.S.

• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Different Levels of Accreditation

Most accreditation organizations use the same standards and criteria to accredit each program type; however, accreditation is granted for specific periods of time that differ between individual schools and programs. Check with the school or the accrediting body to determine the length of time for which the school is accredited.

Checking School Accreditation Status

The best way to determine an institution's accreditation status is to visit the website of the national or regional accrediting organization. Most organizations keep current lists of institutions granted accreditation by their agency.

Attending an Unaccredited Business School

Business education is a serious investment of time and can be a serious investment of money as well. You should exercise caution in regards to attending any school which is not accredited by a nationally or regionally recognized accrediting body. As noted above, you may find that the lack of accreditation means the degree you earn does not allow you to achieve the goals you set out to. Attending a non-accredited institution may also affect your eligibility to receive financial aid.

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