Reasons Why You Must Choose an Accredited MBA

The most important reason to be sure that the online MBA you receive is from an accredited university is that it tells prospective employers that you have attended a legitimate school of higher learning. But a degree from an accredited school says much more.

• Your degree from an accredited school:
• Will be accepted by other universities.
• Tells the general public that you have earned a true MBA.
• It also means that the education you receive is known as one from a University that consistently offers a quality education.
• It says that you have attended a trusted institution.

To earn accreditation for its MBA program the school is evaluated by an accreditation agency that is recognized by United States Department of Education. If your online mba program does not receive accreditation from an agency recognized by the department of education it is essentially worthless.

The accreditation may be regional, professional or distance learning. It must be on the following list of agencies or else the school that you choose to attend may be nothing more than a diploma mill and you are wasting your time and money.

Accreditation helps insure that the Online MBA program you select meets stringent minimum guidelines that will benefit you in the business world. Research carefully the online MBA programs you are interested in and make certain it has the proper accreditation.

Accredited Online MBA Programs:

If your interested in pursuing a accredited online mba program then consider some of the more popular programs listed below.

• Accredited Marketing MBA
• Accredited Finance MBA
• Accredited Healthcare MBA
• Accredited Green MBA
• Accredited Management MBA
• Accredited Executive MBA
• Accredited International Business MBA

Important Reasons You Should Select an Accredited Online MBA. :

Below are some of the goals/objectives that accredited online mba  should follow, most of which you will notice are elements that employers look for in qualified business candidates:

1. Enhance and develop previous relevant experience in business and management;
2. Prepare students for leadership and transformational roles in business;
3. Develop strategic thinking, innovation and entrepreneurial skills;
4. Develop an understanding and provide experience of global business issues, including the potential contribution that business can make to solving these issues;
5. Develop the ability to apply previous and newly acquired knowledge and experience to complex business issues in a range of contexts;
6. Develop knowledge, at an advanced level, of organizations, their management and the environment in which they operate;
7. Develop an understanding of responsible risk management and sustainable value creation on the basis of the environmental, social and governance impacts of business
8. Develop interpersonal and group-working skills; and,
9. Encourage lifelong learning and personal development.

Courses/Curriculum that Accredited Online MBA Programs Must Cover

For an MBA program to earn accreditation it must teach the core elements needed in business including:

• marketing
• the economic and legal environment of a business
• accounting and quantitative methods
• finance
• organizational theory
• interpersonal skills
• information technology
• risk
• ethics
• CSR
• entrepreneurship
• processes and practices of management

Finally, programs should be full time for one year, or part time for two years. Direct contact hours between faculty and students should equal 500 hours and total student time spent on the program should be about 1700 hours.

Regional Accreditation

Regional Accrediting Bodies are the most widely respected and known of all the legitimate third party agencies. They do not directly accredit Online MBA Programs, but the University, School or College itself, and if it is accredited then by default your Online MBA Degree is.They consist of:

Middle States Commission on Higher Educations (info@msche.org)

This organization accredits schools in the following states:

• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Maryland
• New Jersey
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Puerto Rico
• Virgin Islands

New England Association of Colleges and Schools (kwillis@neasc.orgneasc.org)

This organization accredits schools in the following sates located in the New England area:

• Connecticut
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• Rhode Island
• Vermont

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (info@ncacihe.org)

This association accredits schools in states located in the north central part of the U.S.:

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• South Dakota
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (northwest@boisestate.edu)

The Northwest Association handles accreditation of schools located mostly in the northwest:

• Alaska
• Idaho
• Montana
• Nevada
• Oregon
• Utah
• Washington

Professional Accreditation

Professional accreditation is not the same as regional accreditation, it can be more specialized and focused. One of the most important professional accreditations for the online mba is the AACSB.

The Association To Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) Accreditation and the Online MBA

The AACSB, contrary to popular belief does not actually accredit any Online MBA Programs. It typically accredits the college of business that is granting the Online MBA. The online mba program itself is certainly reviewed and evaluated as part of the accreditation process, which is why many prospective students often look for AACSB Accredited Online MBA Programs. It has earned the respect of many employers who trust that graduates of programs accreditated by this group have received an excellent education. It is the most relevant and sought after accreditation for business schools, and typically only the best colleges achieve this accreditation. While this credential may be coveted, it is not required and frankly some employers don’t understand its value and tend to be more focused on your major, or the brand of the school.

Distance Learning AccrediTation

The Distance Education and Training Council is an accreditation agency that works only with distance learning programs. While better than no accreditation at all, MBA programs from schools with only this accreditation are less well regarded than programs with other accreditation credentials.

Schools that enjoy accreditation offer legitimate financial aid to eligible students, maintain close contact with the business world to provide both internships and externships and have active placement offices for new graduates as well as alumni.

The Accreditation Process

The first step in the accreditation process for the accrediting agency to review the school’s goals, charter and mission. Also examined is the school’s independence from higher authority if it is part of a larger University. Financial security and continuation of financial integrity is important.

The faculty is reviewed. It is expected that at least 75 percent of all faculty hold an advanced degree, with the majority of faculty having doctorate degrees. Research programs should have an international application and be conducted in an appropriate manner.

Management of the program should encompass student feedback. The program must have strong academic leadership as well as suitable administrative support for it.

Students in the program should have at least three years experience in the work world, the ideal average for a class is five years. Students accepted into the program must have demonstrated by prior academic work their ability. A diverse student body of no less than 20 is highly recommended.