College of Business receives internationally recognized accreditation
3 min read
Cayley McGuire
By JOE LANGLEY
Staff Writer
On Nov. 26, the University of Mary Washington College of Business received accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), becoming one of only five US schools to do so this year.
AACSB was founded in 1916 and is the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools. Institutions recognized by AACSB are considered top tier for business schools internationally.
The AACSB uses three metrics in giving out accreditation: participation, distinctiveness, and control. Participation refers to the level of contribution of the included business programs. Distinctiveness refers to the ability of the students, faculty, and recruiters to clearly distinguish and separate their program from all other programs. Control refers to the level of administrative control the faculty and administration of included programs have over the programs seeking exclusion.
The process of accreditation starts with the submission and approval of an eligibility application. Once a school’s application has been deemed eligible and approved, it enters the initial accreditation phase. If a school is able to meet all of AACSB accreditation standards and completes the requirements, recommendation for accreditation is officially made.
Students in the College of Business said they were very proud to have received the accreditation.
“This accreditation is undoubtedly deserved by this institution, as each professor strives for excellence on a consistent basis,” said Ethan Kelly, a junior business major. “The business school here is by no means easy, and those enrolled in business classes know the rigorous yet beneficial educational process that they are about to dive in to.”
Junior business major Jason Guintu agreed.
“I am not surprised by this accreditation at all,” he said. “This school is so deserving of this, it’s incredible. I’m extremely happy to call myself a business major here at UMW. I know that my education here is top tier, and for that, I am eternally grateful to be in the presence of these professors and to be enrolled in these courses.”
Sophomore Delaney Campbell, while undeclared, has taken introductory business courses at UMW.
“From the couple of intro classes I have taken, the business programs offered here seem to provide students with intellectual and challenging material that prepares them for future job opportunities,” she said. “It was no surprise to me to find out that the College of Business received an accreditation for excellence. I truly look forward to working towards a business degree here like many other students.”
UMW has worked towards getting the College of Business recognized ever since its establishment on July 1, 2010. The College of Business shaped its program by appointing high-quality instructors who desire to instill top-tier curriculum onto their students to prepare them properly and more effectively for the business world.
Andrew Halmrast, junior business major, said, “Like everyone else is saying, I’m just not surprised by this. I can tell every time when I sit down in my classes in Woodard Hall, that each of my professors are ecstatic to teach the material provided. They work so hard to ensure that each student has a grasp on the material, and a desire to want to learn even more. To know that my institution has been recognized internationally inspires me to work hard each and every day that I step into these classrooms. I believe this will make students younger than me sway into the business school.”
The AACSB accreditation is earned by only 5% of the world’s schools offering business degrees. Now that UMW is officially accredited by AACSB, the school will have to go through a continuous improvement review process every five years.
