JMU College of Business Maintains Prestigious Accreditation

The James Madison University College of Business and the School of Accounting have maintained their business accreditation by AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Founded in 1916, AACSB International is the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools that offer bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees in business and accounting. 

Interim Dean Dr. Bud Clarke says, “AACSB accreditation is a notable achievement for the College of Business and School of Accounting. This reaffirmation acknowledges the exceptional quality of the faculty, staff, and students that shape the distinctive learning environment of the College of Business.” 

Only 643 schools of business, or less than 5% worldwide, have earned this distinguished hallmark of excellence in management education. To maintain accreditation a business program must undergo a rigorous internal review every five years, during which the program must demonstrate its continued commitment to the 21 quality standards relating to faculty qualification, strategic management of resources, interactions of faculty and students, as well as a commitment to continuous improvement and achievement of learning goals in degree programs. 

“It takes a great deal of self-evaluation and determination to earn and maintain AACSB Accreditation,” said Jerry Trapnell, vice president and chief accreditation officer of AACSB International. “Schools not only must meet specific standards of excellence, but their deans, faculty, and staff must make a commitment to ongoing improvement to ensure continued delivery of high-quality education to students.” 

James Madison University College of Business has been recognized over the years for many notable achievements. In 2010, the master of science in accountancy program was ranked number one in the nation for pass rate for the CPA exam. In 2011, Bloomberg BusinessWeek ranked the college as the 11th “Best Undergraduate Business School” among public institutions. 

James Madison University’s College of Business will be recognized in May at the 2012 AACSB International Conference and Annual Meeting in San Diego, California. 

To learn more about James Madison University’s School of Business, please visit jmu.edu/cob. Or to learn more about AACSB Accreditation, visit www.aacsb.edu/accreditation.