Learn about the different kinds of accreditation for traditional and online MBA programs.
Before you enroll in an MBA program, you must make sure that the school you choose is an accredited one. Accreditation is important particularly if you are enrolling in an online MBA program so you can distinguish between the authentic ones and the scam programs, which abound online. But what kind of accreditation should you be looking for?
There are different kinds of accreditation for an MBA program. Each has its own benefit and share of recognition. You need not look for a school having all the accreditations; you simply need to look for the right kind of accreditation for the school and the program.
In terms of importance, regional accreditation is what you should look for. It is the most widely accepted of all, and employees put extra credit to job applicants coming from a school with a regional accreditation. It establishes the credibility of the school offering the online MBA program, and it establishes you as a graduate of that program.
There are six accrediting institutions in the US. One of these is the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, which accredits schools offering post secondary education in the North Central area. It covers Indiana, Arizona, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Arkansas, Iowa, New Mexico, Ohio, West Virginia, Minnesota, Colorado, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is the accrediting arm of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
It is a non government membership organization that sets standards of excellence among various academic institutions including those offering online MBA. It accredits schools in the areas of Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, District of Columbia, New York, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and others.
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges accredits schools in the areas of Hawaii, California, and the Pacific Basin. It has three commissions, one of which is the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities. It evaluates the quality of various universities’ educational programs.
Schools located in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Virginia, Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, Texas, Kentucky, and Tennessee are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The Commission of Schools is the accrediting arm of the association. Through it, higher education programs in these areas are enhanced and made more effective.
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is the accrediting body for schools in the northwest region. Specifically, it accredits academic institutions offering post-secondary degree programs. It covers the areas of Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Alaska, Utah, Montana, and Oregon.
The New England Association of Colleges and Schools accredits academic institutions across all levels. It covers the states in the New England area: Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. As of 2011, the association has accredited more than 250 colleges and universities.
Aside from having regional accreditation, a school offering an MBA program may also be accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which is specifically for different MBA specializations and other kinds of business programs. A school offering online MBA may be accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council. However, regional accreditation is still the best in terms of reliability.