While attending school at Idaho State University’s College of Business, you may have heard the term ‘college accreditation.’ What does that mean? According to the Department of Homeland Security, college accreditation is the “recognition from an accrediting agency that an institution maintains a certain level of educational standards.” Here at the College of Business, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accredits us. The AACSB is catered specifically towards business schools and reevaluates them every five years to ensure that programs continue to meet a high standard of excellence and continuous improvement in all of their efforts.
“This recognition highlights that we are one of the best business schools in the world and a place where incredible faculty and staff are helping our students and community have brighter futures each day,” said Dean and Michael C. Ruettgers Professor of Marketing Dr. Shane Hunt.
The process begins with a peer review process where schools are matched with a committee of deans, chairs and professors from other accredited institutions, along with a business professional. The College then submits an extensive report that is reviewed by the committee prior to their visit. The AACSB team visits the College over the course of several days, conducting interviews with faculty, staff, executive committee members and students to get a better sense of the College’s culture, operations and goals beyond the report. You can learn more about the accreditation here. With accreditation being important for the school itself, how can this be helpful for its students as well?
Ensures you receive a high-quality education
Because it is an extensive review process and there are specific standards that must be met, this ensures that you are receiving a high-quality education. Going to college is a big investment, and with the amount of hard work and money you put in it, you want to have a good return on investment. According to the AACSB’s website, “AACSB-accredited schools are considered the best in the world. Don't take a chance on a school that may or may not provide you with what you need to succeed.”
Provides a reliable curriculum to imitate real-life practices
Not only does the AACSB want you to receive a high-quality education, but also to make sure it is imitating real-life practices to better prepare you for a career after graduation. For example, working in groups in class prepares you for working in teams in a job. At the College of Business, the Professional Development Program was created to help with this. Every semester, there are events held to provide students with networking opportunities, resume development and to enhance professional skills. Popular events include Resume Roundup, Etiquette and Networking Dinner, career fairs and more.
May help you get a job post-graduation
Some employers seek out students who graduated with a degree from a nationally accredited college or university. If an employer does not include in their job description that they are looking for accreditation, it can still be helpful to include it in your resume. It shows that your schooling is reliable and has provided you with the knowledge and skills needed to get a job. This means that you may have a competitive advantage over another candidate by having this accreditation.
College accreditation confirms that you are receiving a high-quality education with a reliable curriculum to imitate real-life practices. Accreditation may also help you land a job post-graduation. By choosing Idaho State’s College of Business, you are promised just that.
References
About Us. (2023). AACSB. Retrieved from https://www.aacsb.edu/about-us
The Basics of School Accreditation. (2023). Department of Homeland Security. Retrieved from https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/the-basics-of-school-accreditation#:~:text=Accreditation%20is%20the%20recognition%20from,of%20accrediting%20agencies%20it%20recognizes