Given the amount of time, effort, and money required to earn a business degree, any student interested in pursuing one should check to see if the school is accredited. Accreditation of a business school can help ensure that a student’s business degree will lead to a higher likelihood of success in the business world. Program-specific accreditation, regional accreditation, national accreditation, and international accreditation are all types of business school accreditation.
Accreditation for business schools is based on a set of criteria that are used to assess competency and credibility. The criteria for this accreditation are usually centered on teaching, and national accreditation standards frequently rely on outcome assessment to verify excellence in business course teaching. Accreditation usually lasts for a set period of time, after which the business school must demonstrate its competency again in order to keep its accreditation. The various accrediting agencies set their own accreditation standards, and only a small percentage of business school programs receive accreditation. Other organizations keep track of accredited business schools and supervise accrediting agencies.
Each accreditation agency for business schools caters to a distinct group of students. Both undergraduate and graduate degree programs may be accredited the same accrediting agency. Another accreditation agency for business schools may only grant accreditation to smaller public or private schools that offer business courses and degree programs. An accreditation agency might also concentrate on online and distance education programs that provide business courses to students across the country or around the world. These online business schools must typically have been in operation for a certain amount of time, such as two years, to be considered.
One of the advantages of business school accreditation is that a graduate with a business degree from an accredited school has a higher earning potential. As a result, a prospective business student should check to see if the school or program he or she is considering has received business school accreditation. A business student will be that much closer to achieving his or her career goals if the school also has business-specific accreditation.