Fall 2006 issue of Horizons

Business Schools - CATT Value

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MYTH #1 Accredited or not, what is the difference?

Accreditation is the chief form of external review of higher education that measures the quality of the institution and pro- grams. Accreditation ensures that the educational goals to which the institution and program aspire are likely to be met. Accreditation promotes excellence through continued focus on goals and achievements. Those institutions that have attained accreditation also demonstrate a continued commit- ment to educational quality. Every “top” business school or program is accredited.

entire institutions, not individual programs such as business. Although an institution may be regionally accredited, that does not mean its business programs are accredited. In fact, most business programs are not accredited. Founded in 1916, AACSB International is the recognized premier interna- tional organization that reviews business programs. Less than 15 percent of the business programs offered worldwide are accredited by the AACSB. AACSB accreditation is the hallmark of excellence in business education. AACSB accredited programs reflect a diverse range of mis- sions. While all members share the common purpose of preparing students for useful professional and societal lives and meet a set of common learning goals and standards, AACSB accreditation focuses on the school's mission. The paths to achieving high quality in business education are diverse; therefore substantial differentiation exists among even AACSB accredited business schools. Careful review of each business school considered should be part of the deci- sion process. The AACSB accredited business program is required to demonstrate achieving a level of performance consistent with its mission. MYTH #3 All AACSB accredited programs are alike!

MYTH #2 Fully accredited means “fully accredited!”

Two basic types of organizations carry out accreditation: institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditors, such as the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS), a regional accrediting association, accredit

25 • summer 2006 issue