When choosing college programs, you need to make sure that the school chosen is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency. Accreditations ensure that the school provides enough resources to support the students and have established educational standards.
In the USA, you need to look for specialized or programmatic accreditation for MBA from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The accreditation means that the business department or school in a university is top quality. AACSB is an internationally recognized mark of excellence in business education.
The three types of accreditation are:
- Regional accreditation
- National accreditation
- Specialized or programmatic accreditation
Regional Accreditation is the most prestigious form of institutional accreditation and they are usually non-profit institutions. The accreditation indicated that the institute as a whole meets the expected quality standards.
National Accreditation is another form of institutional accreditation and these institutes are usually vocational or for-profit institutions. It is considered less prestigious due to its less stringent admission standards.
Specialized or programmatic accreditation indicates departments, schools or programs (business schools) with a larger university that has already been accredited by regional or national accrediting agencies. The accreditations show an exceptional faculty and curriculum.
With regard to MBA programs, you need to look for specialized or programmatic accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a top-quality accreditation. In the US, less than ten percent of the online MBA programs are AACSB accredited. Employers and other universities look upon AACSB accreditation.as the mark of excellence.
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business – AACSB
Many online colleges state that an accrediting agency has to be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the United State Department of Education (USDE) for accreditations to be valid. But AACSB is an exception to this rule.
Prestigious National Accreditations in USA
1. The Association of MBAs – AMBA
Schools that are AMBA accredited are the most highly ranked business schools in the US and throughout Europe. To get this accreditation, the school has to a global leader. They have rigorous review criteria, must have a mission, financed viability, innovative and excellent faculty.
- The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business – AACSB
This accreditation indicates that the institute is working to improve the quality of business education. AACSB accreditation is given to schools that have a high level of innovation, faculty, and staff who create intellectual contributions along with teaching. The school authorities need to ensure that the students not only learn but also attain professional experience.
- The European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)
The EQUIS is an international education accreditation agency. It concentrates on accrediting business and management educational institutions. It has accredited 138 institutes in 38 countries. EQUIS is run by The European Foundation of Management Development. EQUIS differs from AMBA and AACSB as it also considers the school’s level of internationalization.
- The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)
The DETC focuses on accrediting online education institutions internationally and throughout the US. More than hundred distance education institutes are accredited by DETC. The standard requirement for DETC accreditation is student services, curriculum, ethical business standards, academic support, learning and research resources, and administrative and financial capacity.
Regional Accreditation
Regionally accredited schools benefit individuals who wish to pursue their career in the same area. Universities that meet the regional standards are given these accreditations
- Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools – regions included are Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges – regions included are Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools – regions included are Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
- Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges – regions included are Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools – regions included are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges – regions included are California, Hawaii, and the Pacific Basin
Shown below is a table listing Regional accrediting organizations as recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation.
| U.S. Recognized Accrediting Organization | Type | Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) - Recognition Status | United States Department of Education (USDE) - Recognition Status |
| Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC) | Regional | Yes | Yes |
| Higher Learning Commission (HLC) | Regional | Yes | Yes |
| Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) | Regional | Yes | Yes |
| Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS) | Regional | Not CHEA recognized | Yes |
| New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE | Regional | Yes | Yes |
| Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) | Regional | Not CHEA recognized | Yes |
| Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC) | Regional | Yes | Yes |
| WASC Senior College and University Commission | Regional | Yes | Yes |
