The Coles College of Business maintained its accreditation with the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB), a sought-after stamp of approval given to the best business schools in the world, after a rigorous quality review. Less than five percent of the world’s business schools have earned AACSB International accreditation.
This accreditation is a rigorous external validation of the great work that our faculty and staff do in support of our students and programs,” said Kat Schwaig, dean of the Coles College of Business. “The process is comprehensive with a focus on continuous improvement. It shows our faculty understand substantive innovations and look for ways to positively impact business education on a daily basis.”
The reaffirmation of accreditation by AACSB International comes weeks after U.S. World News and World report named the Coles College of Business’ part-time MBA. among the best in the country and CEO Magazine ranked the Executive MBA among the best in the U.S. in its “2015 Global MBA Rankings” edition.
To maintain its accreditation, the Coles College of Business must undergo a rigorous review by academic leaders of peer business schools every five years. As part of the review, colleges must demonstrate their commitment to 21 rigorous standards relating to faculty qualification, strategic management of resources, interactions of faculty and students, commitment to continuous improvement and achievement of learning goals in degree programs.
“The University’s (Coles College of Business) focus on innovative enhancements to its curricula, commitment to the personal and professional growth of its students, and active engagement of faculty and staff are purists of excellence that should recognized and celebrated,” said Robert D. Reid, executive vice president and chief accreditation officer of AACSB International.
AACSB International also renewed accreditation of the business school’s accounting program. Only 180 business schools across the globe maintain AACSB International accreditation for their accounting programs.
“Attainment of separate accounting accreditation requires alignment with a rigorous set of accounting standards that encompass curriculum standards and preparation of our undergraduate and graduate students for a licensed profession,” said Kathryn Epps, associate dean of the Coles College of Business and director of the School of Accountancy. “We’re proud to be considered an outstanding program and credit our dedicated faculty and staff.”
AACSB International, founded in 1916, is the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools that offer undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees in business and accounting.
The Michael J. Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University is the second-largest business school in Georgia, offering 12 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), and is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The College’s part-time MBA program was ranked first in the state among public institutions and 22nd in the nation by Bloomberg Businessweek in its 2013 business school rankings and among the country’s top 50 programs by U.S. News & World Report in its annual “Best Graduate Schools 2014.”
