CBE earns extension of AACSB accreditation

By Laura Braddick on January 22, 2018

Towson University's College of Business & Economics (CBE) has earned extension of accreditation for its business and accounting programs from AACSB International — The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

This accreditation is the highest seal of quality business schools can receive and recognizes continuous improvement. TU is part of the less than five percent of schools that are AACSB International-accredited and the less than one percent that are accredited in both academic programs. CBE is one of only three schools in Maryland to hold both accreditations.

AACSB accreditation is the longest-standing, most-recognized form of specialized accreditation business programs can receive worldwide. Yet, only 799 business schools in 53 countries currently have AACSB accreditation. Of those institutions, only 185 hold the additional, specialized AACSB accreditation for their accounting programs. 

Earning this dual distinction requires schools to meet rigorous standards for academic programs, as well as faculty qualifications and scholarship that are designed to challenge educators to pursue excellence. To maintain accreditation, schools must demonstrate how they meet the standards, and strive for continuous improvement, every five years through a peer review process.

In the most recent accreditation maintenance cycle, a team of outside reviewers commended TU for its emphasis on experiential learning, academic advising and career services for its students, and engagement of its advisory groups.

“In the last five years, we not only have continued to deliver a first-rate business education but we have introduced innovative programs and engaged our students, faculty, staff and alumni more deeply while leaving a lasting impact through scholarship and more,” said College of Business and Economics Dean Shohreh Kaynama, Ph.D. “This extension of accreditation from AACSB is confirmation of the college’s commitment to excellence.”

AACSB-accredited schools are recognized worldwide by top employers, and many top, global corporations only recruit from AACSB-accredited schools. Achieving AACSB accreditation is a rigorous process that assesses a school's ability to perform in critical areas — like teaching, research, curricula development and student learning— and ensures the programs are challenging and teach skills that give a distinct advantage in the real world.

TU first received AACSB accreditation for its business administration program in 1992. In 1994, the accounting department also received AACSB accreditation. In 2008, the business administration program received its maintenance of accreditation. The accounting department followed suit in 2010. In 2013, both programs received five-year extensions.