AACSB Accredited Online MBA Programs 2022 Guide

While researching options for earning an accredited online MBA, learners may notice many programs emphasize accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This programmatic accreditation exists separately from overall institutional accreditation, providing additional quality assurance for business programs.

As an independent organization, AACSB sets academic standards for business education programs, accrediting over 800 institutions. AACSB continually updates its accreditation guidelines in an effort to both stay current with issues and trends and to challenge institutions to continue maintaining and exceeding excellence.

Many employers look for graduates of AACSB-accredited programs, as this ensures those graduates receive a high-quality education that meets important industry standards. Learners should also ensure the institution they choose holds regional or national accreditation, in addition to the programmatic AACSB accreditation.

Find an Online MBA Program Accredited by AACSB

Are Online MBA Programs Credible?

Many prospective students still question the credibility and reputation of online MBA programs; however, these programs offer working professionals a flexible option to earn a quality education. Distance education began decades ago with videotaped lectures mailed to students, but the internet now provides a much more efficient way to deliver the same quality education offered in on-campus programs.

More and more universities offer online options for distance learners and nontraditional students, including fully online MBA programs with the same high-level accreditation as the on-campus counterparts. Online programs provide learners with the opportunity to continue working while pursuing higher education.

Respected accrediting organizations exist to review and validate online programs, ensuring they meet the same quality standards as traditional, campus-based programs. Accrediting agencies, such as AACSB, create their own set of standards and guidelines which cover aspects like education quality and ethics. Some employers may specifically require applicants to hold degrees from AACSB-accredited programs.

Students should avoid any non-credible MBA program, specifically those programs without any form of accreditation. If prospective students fail to check a school's accreditation status, they may end up unable to apply their education towards their credentials or work in their preferred industry. Further, non-accredited schools can potentially scam students out of their tuition money and award degrees that hold no real weight in the job field.

To learn more about accredited online MBA programs, review this page about accreditation.

Other MBA Accreditation Bodies

Although often seen as the foremost programmatic accrediting body for business schools, the AACSB serves as just one accreditor for these programs. First and foremost, students should seek out schools that hold regional or national accreditation through an accrediting agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education. These agencies provide accreditation for an entire institution, encompassing all programs offered. Programmatic accrediting agencies like the AACSB offer additional quality and credibility assurance, and potentially offer graduates of those programs an extra advantage in the job field.

In addition to the AACSB, students can look for programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) also provides accreditation for many business programs that emphasize information technology.

The ACBSP serves as the only accrediting body to accredit business programs at the associate level, and the IACBE holds recognition from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Each agency provides accreditation based on an individual set of standards, which may differ from agency to agency.

To learn more about choosing a quality MBA program, prospective students can review this page.

Additional Online MBA Resources