MBA programs – Accreditation

Contents
  1. Education Accreditation – Definition
  2. Academic Accreditation in Practice
  3. MBA program Accreditation Considerations

While most of the schools offer accredited MBA degree programs, other do not. We are not here to judge which one is better but rather to make sure you understand the significance and have the tools to make up your choice that will best serve your objectives and interests.

Education Accreditation – Definition

Educational accreditation is a type of quality assurance process under which services and operations of an educational institution or program are evaluated by an external body to determine if applicable standards are met. If standards are met, accredited status is granted by the agency.
In most countries in the world, the function of educational accreditation is conducted by a government organization, such as a ministry of education. In the united states, however, the quality assurance process is independent of government and performed by private membership associations.

(The definition is taken from Wikipedia)

Academic Accreditation in Practice

We consider academic accreditation as a very serious consideration. Let’s see how Accreditation works:

  • Academic accreditation means that they granted academic institution meets certain standards that are set by the granting authority. Note that academic accreditation may be granted per program and does not necessarily or automatically apply to all programs provided by a given school.
  • Academic accreditation is granted to colleges, universities and other academic institutions the accreditation council that operates in the country in which that institution is registered. For example – a university in the UK grants academic accreditation by the UK accreditation council and according to their standards.
  • Most of the countries have signed a UN (United Nations) treaty in which the signed countries and the academic institutions mutually recognize academic accreditation for each other.

MBA program Accreditation Considerations

Depending on your plans on objectives you should consider the following:

  • If you plan an academic career, you should attend an accredited MBA degree from a school with proper academic reputation.
  • If you plan to be employed by a government or public that pays extra for education you probably need an accredited MBA program (check it first).
  • Most large enterprises and companies better appreciate accredited MBA programs.
  • If you are an independent consultant and just need to denote you MBA degree on your business card or professional profile then maybe a non accredited MBA program will satisfy.