When you’re choosing an MBA program, it can be difficult to decide which one best meets your needs. Because you’re investing your time and money, it’s important to select a high-quality program that offers lasting value.

Read on to learn more about why you should choose an MBA program from a school accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Are AACSB-accredited business schools really different?
AACSB-accredited schools are considered the best business schools in the world, because their academic programs have passed rigorous standards for quality. Such schools have better programs, better faculty, better students with higher overall GPAs, more international students, more employers that recruit from them, and graduates who receive better salaries.

Will AACSB Accreditation help me advance in my career?
AACSB-accredited schools report that they have more employers that are interested in their students than before they were accredited, and that their graduates receive higher, more competitive salaries. Many schools report that some employers only recruit from AACSB-accredited schools.

AACSB Accreditation ensures that a school is teaching a student what employers need—the latest ideas in business, theories and practical skills; the ability to communicate effectively; professionalism, ethics, and responsibility; the understanding of financial markets and accounting regulations, and more.

Every program I’m considering says it’s accredited. Does it really matter which accreditation a school has?
Most business schools say they are accredited. But not all accreditations are the same. In addition to the basic level of accreditation (institutional accreditation), schools can earn specialized accreditations for specific degree programs and disciplines—such as for business and engineering.

For business degree programs, AACSB Accreditation is the largest and most-recognized specialized accreditation worldwide. The requirements for AACSB Accreditation are stringent—86% of AACSB-accredited schools say that the AACSB Accreditation Standards are the most stringent as compared to other accreditations they hold.

What’s the difference between AACSB Accreditation and other accreditations?
There are two primary types of accreditation: institutional and specialized. Institutional accreditation is a general review of an entire university and its programs. Specialized accreditation is a review of programs in a specific discipline. High-quality schools will pursue additional, specialized accreditations for specific disciplines.

Within the field of business, AACSB Accreditation is the most-recognized, internationally-known, specialized accreditation. If a school holds AACSB Accreditation, all of its business programs have been carefully reviewed for quality in curricula, faculty, delivery and more.

Does AACSB Accreditation affect the quality of a business school on an ongoing basis?
Yes. AACSB-accredited schools are reviewed every five years to ensure they continue to meet today’s business needs, as well as provide challenging curricula. The AACSB Accreditation Standards also are reviewed on a regular basis for relevance and rigor. Business faculty members are required to have high levels of educational and professional qualifications. They must ensure that students are learning in the classroom and that their instructional materials are effective. Faculty also must challenge students and provide them with timely performance evaluations.

Learn more about AACSB Accreditation.

Contact Information
Harris 106 – MBA Center
(919) 760-8471
mba@meredith.edu
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