Indiana State University Newsroom

Indiana State University's business degree programs have earned continued accreditation.

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business announced this month that the Scott College has maintained its accreditation. Indiana State's business programs first earned the recognition in 1980 and have continuously maintained accreditation for more than 30 years.

The AACSB is the gold standard for business accreditation," said Brien Smith, dean of the Scott College. "Only 5 percent of business schools worldwide are accredited by AACSB. To remain accredited is challenging and AACSB presents a high standard. The hard work and commitment is well worth it."

Indiana State is one of more than 700 business schools in 48 countries and territories that have earned AACSB-International Accreditation.

"I am pleased that the Scott College of Business has retained this prestigious accreditation," said Jack Maynard, Indiana State's provost and vice president for academic affairs. "Dean Smith and the faculty and staff of the college are to be commended for working hard to maintain accreditation and to ensure that Indiana State continues to be recognized as a national and international leader in business education."

Smith said it should be assuring to students that "our curriculum has been reviewed and we are demonstrating student learning at the highest level."

"I know that Scott College of Business graduates can be confident in the fact that they are as well-prepared and well-trained in the classroom as any business student worldwide," he said. "When you add to that our experiential learning component, which is above and beyond what most of our peer institutions do, our students are even better prepared."

AACSB-accredited institutions must enter the Continuous Improvement Review process every five years, but Smith said accreditation requires a constant focus on student learning, faculty qualifications and continuous improvement.

"Success always comes from the hard work of our dedicated faculty and staff. Every semester we come together to review data and discuss changes that we can make in response to identified issues," he said. "Faculty also must publish their research and maintain their professional qualifications. In addition, AACSB expects a commitment to ongoing continuous improvement, and that we secure funds to support our innovative programs. "

Writer: Betsy Simon, media relations assistant director, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-7972 or betsy.simon@indstate.edu