When it’s time to choose a school for any type of degree, there are many factors to consider, including price, location, courses and job potential. More and more, students are weighing online degrees against degrees earned in traditional brick-and-mortar schools. This is true of MBA programs as well. One of the most important things when obtaining a higher degree, such as through an online MBA program, is accreditation. For MBAs specifically, AACSB-accredited MBA programs are worth looking into. Why? Because AACSB accreditation helps ensure the following:
Overall value of the school
AACSB accreditation takes into consideration a school’s mission as well as the competence and ability of faculty and the caliber of coursework and curriculum. The review process involves self-evaluations, peer and committee reviews, as well as the development of strategic plans. Accreditation ensures that students are exposed to the most current and useful material within their MBA program.
Higher standards
Accreditation offers students and employers or recruiters a baseline of expectation. If a degree, whether in a traditional setting or an online MBA program, is accredited by the AACSB, students know that the coursework will meet a certain level of academic rigor. For recruiters and employers, they know that if a potential employee has earned a degree from an AACSB accredited MBA program, that person has been held to a specific standard of work and study. In both cases, student and recruiter can be confident in the quality of the coursework at that school.
The best professors
Additionally, while AACSB accredited MBA programs offer high-quality coursework, they are attractive to employers because the faculty has been vetted. Students pursuing their MBA, whether in a traditional setting or online MBA program, can be confident in the qualifications of the professors teaching the courses.
School’s commitment to quality education
Schools wishing to have an AACSB accredited MBA program must pursue that accreditation independently. This is not a federal process, but one that schools must seek out and pay for on their own. A school’s willingness to seek accreditation demonstrates that the school is committed to providing the most relevant MBA education.
When choosing an MBA program, it is wise to look at the regular factors such as price, location and courses. But, it’s also very important to look for an AACSB accredited MBA program. This can help ensure that the most up-to-date and useful information is being taught, which helps students prepare for the environment in which they will be working after graduation.
Learn more about the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi online MBA program.
Sources:
http://www.aacsb.edu/accreditation
