Career Advice for Job Seekers
Importance of Accredited Associate’s Business Degrees
William Frierson
Business school with building, and sky in the background. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.
Summary: It is extremely important that the institute you are enrolled in is accredited. Find out the importance of accredited associate business degree reading this blog.
If you are looking for an associate’s degree in business, make sure that you choose institutes that are as good as they claim to be. An important indicator of quality for business schools is the accreditation of its programs from a recognized body.
You will find three internationally recognized accrediting bodies for business schools:
- AACSB – Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- EQUIS – European Foundation for Management Development
- AMBA – Association of MBAs
Only one percent of business schools have triple accreditation. Meaning, they are recognized by all three accreditation bodies.
Why is accreditation important?
You cannot afford to overlook accreditation. It is a crucial factor for you to consider while selecting an associate’s degree in business. Once you know why accreditation is important, you will be more likely to make a wise decision:
- Quality Check
Accreditation is an indicator that an institute has been assessed by an accrediting body and it meets the set standards. It also reflects that an institute has made the necessary efforts and spent ample time to meet these requirements.
- Regular Review
The accreditation status of an institute is normally reviewed every five years. This review is a sign that an institute maintains its standards and works on self evaluation and improvement of its standards.
- Strategic Efforts
Institutes that achieve an accredited status work hard for it. A lot of strategic planning and efforts go into earning an accreditation. Accreditation applications can take up to two years and therefore involves a lot of investment, planning, and strategizing.
- Employment Opportunities
Graduation from an accredited institute sends a positive message to employers. Employers usually expect superior performance from graduates of accredited schools. And they do so for all the right reasons. Graduating from an accredited school means that as a student you also meet these high standards.
- Personal Development
Good things don’t come easy. If you are applying to an accredited school, it will mean that you will have to put in your best efforts. You cannot expect your education to be a piece of cake, but all the efforts you put forth will be worthwhile in the end.
Who accredits business schools?
In the US the majority of business schools are accredited by a regional accrediting agency. While searching for a business program, look for accreditation from one of the following organizations:
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA-HLC)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC-CIHE)
How to check accreditation status of a business school?
Checking the accreditation status of a business school is not a tough task anymore. Although, U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education does not accredit business schools, it does provide information through its website.
US Department of Education has now made checking accreditations even easier. You can go to its searchable database and instantly find out about the accreditation status of a business school. Through this database, you not only get to know about the institute but also the authenticity of the organization accrediting it.
Your time and opportunities are limited. You can’t afford to go for an associate’s degree in business that serves no better purpose than a piece of paper. Realize your full potential by going for an accredited business program.
Sources:-
http://businessmajors.about.com/od/choosingaschool/p/accreditation.htm
http://www.allbusinessschools.com/business-careers/article/business-school-accreditation
Eliza Miller is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania. She has majored in History and currently resides in Boston, Massachusetts with her husband and two sons. She is a contributing writer for EdDirect.com.
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