[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”heading-4″]Industry accreditation indicates that an MBA program gives prospective students the value and impact they deserve from a degree.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you’re considering enrolling in graduate school in business, checking for MBA accreditation should be among your top priorities. Graduating from an accredited program ensures that you are actually qualified for professional roles and certification. Only regionally accredited colleges and universities with programmatically accredited business schools can provide the comprehensive training needed to meet industry standards.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This guide explains the importance of MBA accreditation and why accreditation status should inform your decision-making process when applying to MBA programs.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Common Questions About MBA Accreditation[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is Accreditation Important for An MBA?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes. MBA accreditation ranks among the most important factors to consider as a prospective student. It safeguards your investment and ensures that you are ready for the job market after graduation.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Do Employers Care About MBA Accreditation?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes. Employers often consider MBA accreditation because it guarantees the quality of your degree and measures the potential impact you may bring to their organization. Earning an unaccredited degree may not qualify you for the roles you want.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What Is AACSB Accreditation?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business is a leading professional organization that sets [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacsb.edu/accreditation/standards/business/”]global standards[/hen-ui-link] in business and management education. It delivers accreditation for MBA programs.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is AACSB Accreditation Good?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes. AACSB-accredited schools are held in [hen-ui-link href=”https://bestbizschools.aacsb.edu/aacsb-accredited/students/”]very high regard[/hen-ui-link] by employers due to the agency’s high standards of quality and excellence.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What Is the Best Accreditation for an MBA Program?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]AACSB, ACBSP, and IACBE accreditation are all held in high regard for business programs. The best programs are those that come from regionally accredited institutions and hold programmatic accreditation from one of these agencies.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Is MBA Accreditation?[/hen-ui-heading] Accreditation provides students, employers, and other stakeholders with a way to measure the effectiveness of an educational program or institution. It acts as a quality assurance tool, demonstrating whether a school and its programs have met acceptable standards. For [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/masters/best-online-mba/”]MBA programs[/hen-ui-link], accreditation occurs at institutional and programmatic levels, using guidelines set by business industry leaders. [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Where you earn your MBA matters. Schools without proper MBA accreditation carry less prestige, don’t offer the same learning outcomes, and aren’t recognized by employers and other educators. When it comes to accreditation, MBA-seekers should only choose regionally accredited schools. Earning your degree from a regionally accredited school and a program with MBA accreditation ensures the quality and staying power of your degree.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”who-accredits”]Who Accredits MBA Programs?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There are a few independent agencies that administer MBA accreditation. Each organization applies its own criteria, but they all use guidelines established by the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ed.gov/accreditation/”]U.S. Department of Education[/hen-ui-link] (ED), the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.chea.org/”]Council for Higher Education Accreditation[/hen-ui-link] (CHEA), and other stakeholders.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While specifics differ, each agency works to ensure that MBA programs achieve measurable learning outcomes that meet high standards of rigor. Learn more about each agency below.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business[/hen-ui-heading] AACSB is one of the oldest and most widely recognized MBA accreditation agencies. It accredits over 800 business schools throughout the world. AACSB-accredited programs must meet quality standards in [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacsb.edu/accreditation/standards/business/”]three categories[/hen-ui-link]: learner success; strategic management and innovation; and thought leadership, engagement, and societal impact.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs[/hen-ui-heading] Industry leaders founded ACBSP over 30 years ago to accredit business schools that emphasize teaching and learning. Recognized programs must demonstrate a commitment to strategic planning, academic excellence, and continuous improvement. ACBSP accreditation demonstrates that programs develop practical skills that are valued by employers.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]International Accreditation Council for Business Education[/hen-ui-heading] The IACBE puts MBA accreditation in global focus. It uses a mission-driven and [hen-ui-link href=”https://iacbe.org/accreditation/”]outcomes-based process[/hen-ui-link] to evaluate business and management programs. IACBE accreditation requiress a comprehensive assessment of a program’s educational process, including its use of proven best practices and other principles of excellence, like collegiality and cooperation.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Association of MBAs[/hen-ui-heading] This London-based accreditor focuses solely on MBA accreditation. Alongside AACSB and EQUIS, AMBA ranks among the most authoritative business accreditation agencies. Its [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.associationofmbas.com/business-schools/accreditation/”]accreditation process[/hen-ui-link] assesses employability and learning outcomes.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]European Quality Improvement System[/hen-ui-heading] EQUIS administers a [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.efmdglobal.org/accreditations/business-schools/equis/”]broad-based accreditation service[/hen-ui-link] that takes an international perspective, setting it apart from other top accreditors, like AMBA and AACSB. The agency measures accreditation against a set of quality assurance benchmarks, including sustainability and responsible governance, rigorous research and instruction, internationalization, and student engagement.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Regional Accreditation Considerations[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Unlike MBA accreditation, which is specific to a business school or program, regional accreditation applies to colleges and universities as a whole. Agencies deliver regional accreditation based on merit, reputation, and academic rigor. To obtain accreditation, qualifying schools must undergo an extensive and comprehensive evaluation process using ED and CHEA guidelines.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Regional accreditation ensures that a school’s programs lead to valuable degrees backed by robust learning resources and rigorous instruction. Most programs with MBA accreditation come from schools with regional accreditation, but prospective students should always double-check before applying.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Seven different agencies currently offer regional accreditation in the U.S.:[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Evaluating a Potential MBA Program[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Narrowing down your prospects may take time, but it will help you identify a top choices that meet your needs, paying off in the long run. Your career goals should be a major factor in your selection, but you also need to ensure that each prospective program holds MBA accreditation and comes from a regionally accredited school.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Other questions to consider include:[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Are there [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/mba/mba-specializations/mba-specializations/mba-specializations/”]opportunities to specialize[/hen-ui-link] in areas of interest that will advance your career?[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]How much will the MBA program cost, and does the school offer any scholarships or financial aid to help?[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Do you need more flexibility and accommodation? Does the program offer [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/masters/best-online-mba/”]options for online delivery[/hen-ui-link] or part-time enrollment?[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Will the school accept your transfer credits? If so, what does that process entail?[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]What does the admission process look like? Can you [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/masters/best-online-mba/no-gmat/”]waive GMAT scores[/hen-ui-link]?[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It’s also important to know a few tell-tale signs of inferior or low-quality programming. Consider these red flags when assessing potential MBA programs.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”] [hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Blake Huggins” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto:eco/v1618859759/TheBestSchools.org/hero-images/Experts/blake-huggins.jpg” img-alt=”Blake Huggins” layout=”horizontal” background=”white” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”][hen-ui-link href=”/about/#writers/”]Blake Huggins[/hen-ui-link] is a Boston-based writer and researcher with roots in north Texas and southern Oklahoma. He holds degrees in religion and philosophy and writes widely on higher education, healthcare, and the humanities broadly conceived. He earned a PhD from Boston University and has taught college courses in philosophy, writing, and composition.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-sm text-right”]Header Image Credit: JohnnyGreig | Getty Images[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Learn more, do more.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h5″]More topic-relevant resources to expand your knowledge.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”7276,7279,7298″][/hen-ui-article-row] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]