AACSB Accreditation
AACSB International is one of the most prestigious and rigorous accrediting bodies for business programs in higher education. Fewer than one-third of U.S. business programs and only 15% of the world's business programs have earned AACSB accreditation. FSUBusiness is now among this exclusive group of colleges and universities.
Faculty Standards
AACSB business schools must comply with strict standards in regard to the use of full-time faculty members who are academically qualified (typically possessing the Ph.D. or J.D.) or professionally qualified (in addition to a graduate degree, also possessing many years of highly responsible managerial or executive experience). These qualified faculty must be actively engaged with students both in and out of the classroom in addition to being actively engaged in discipline-related research.
Continuous Improvement
AACSB business schools are required to engage in a process of annual self evaluation and periodic external reviews of accomplishments to assure an environment of continuous improvement.
AACSB business schools must meet specific standards with regard to the following areas:
- Mission and objectives
- Stakeholder involvement
- Student quality
- Curriculum content and evaluation
- Assurance of learning
- Instructional resources and responsibilities
- Faculty composition and development
- Intellectual contributions of the faculty
Benefits to Students
The most competitive companies are aware of business schools which hold AACSB accreditation. These companies only recruit prospective employees at AACSB-accredited schools. AACSB schools can generate more potential for internships, cooperative programs, permanent job opportunities, team projects, and networking opportunities. AACSB helps provide a network for the latest information on employer needs, program innovations, academic and workforce issues, and environmental scanning mechanisms that enable FSUBusiness to provide graduate and undergraduate educational opportunities that are relevant and timely.
AACSB: Why should it matter to you?
AACSB accreditation keeps a business school honest. It forces the school to keep reviewing and improving itself, meeting the needs of its stakeholders (especially students), upgrading its facilities, technology and equipment, and assuring a current and relevant education. It engages the faculty, staff, and students in a process of life-long learning so that the business education offered remains at the cutting edge.
Going to college is a big investment. You are going to spend hours studying, writing papers, and taking exams. You also are going to spend a lot of money. All that work and money should give you what you paid for, right?
Not all schools will provide you a return on your investment. AACSB Accreditation ensures a school isn't just taking your money. AACSB-accredited schools must pass very rigorous quality standards. They have been proven to provide the best in business education worldwide.
AACSB-accredited schools:
- Are recognized worldwide by top employers and other universities.
- Have employers that only hire their graduates.
- Have more access to recruiters.
- Have graduates that receive higher, more competitive salaries.
- Say being accredited improves the quality of their business programs.
- Say being accredited helps them hire and retain the best professors and researchers.
- Have students that are more international and are likely to earn higher levels of education.
- Have students with high-graduating GPAs.
- Are challenging and teach the best skills that give a distinct advantage in the real world.
For more information on AACSB accrediting standards, visit the AACSB Web site.