Of the more than 16,000 degree-granting business schools worldwide, less than 5 percent have earned AACSB accreditation. The AACSB seal of approval is shorthand for academic excellence among business leaders and employers – helping students gain a competitive advantage in the job market upon graduation and often higher salaries.
Why AACSB Accreditation Matters
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) is a global nonprofit organization that connects educators, students and businesses sharing a common goal: to create the next generation of great leaders. Established in 1916, AACSB evaluates institutions to ensure exceptional quality and continuous improvement in collegiate business education.
For individuals who are evaluating online business degrees, AACSB accreditation signifies a level of academic excellence that can often help when deciding which schools to apply to.
AACSB accredited schools:
- Have faculty, staff and students that are meaningfully engaged with their professional and academic communities;
- Are entrepreneurial, creating innovative programs that serve undergraduate and graduate students, as well as working professionals desiring continuing professional education;
- Are impactful, making a difference for broader communities, businesses and academic societies;
- Are dynamic and relevant, preparing students for the challenging and ever-changing global business environment;
- Have the highest-caliber faculty and leading-edge courses that connect the curriculum to the real world.
AACSB Accreditation is Earned, Not Given
Achieving AACSB-accreditation is a rigorous endeavor. Throughout the accreditation process and mandatory five-year reviews, AACSB makes certain that schools are teaching a complete and relevant set of business skills that align with the best global business practices. When AACSB evaluates a business school, it looks at its mission, operations, faculty qualifications and contributions, curriculum, programs and other areas that are important to students and the operation of the school. It’s a strict evaluation, which is what makes it valuable.
A Sound Investment that Helps Grow Careers
Recruiters and prospective employers understand the value of AACSB accreditation. They know that a degree from an AACSB-accredited school means the graduate will be ready to hit the ground running and perform on day one. Many companies that aim to attract the best talent to their managerial ranks even prioritize hires who have earned a degree from an AACSB-accredited school. This gives graduates a leg up when applying for certain positions, an advantage that only increases over time as careers grow and they seek more senior, higher paying roles.
UMass Lowell’s Master’s in Business Administration is named one of the top online MBA programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Our online MBA program is also one of the most affordable, offering one of the best values from an AACSB-accredited business school in New England.
