MBA accreditation: What it is and why it’s important for your career

If you’re considering pursuing an MBA (Master of Business Administration), you aren’t the only one. Over 215,000 students enrolled in MBA programs globally for 2023-2024.¹

Typically, an MBA provides specialized business skills that the market demands.² However, you want to pay attention to accreditation to ensure your MBA program meets the required academic and professional standards. After all, many employers seek graduates from accredited business schools as they perceive them to have received a high-quality education.³

Read on to learn what accreditation for MBA programs is, why it matters, and how to choose the best accreditation for your career goals.

MBA accreditation is an external review of a business school’s ability to offer an MBA program. Depending on the type of accreditation, an MBA can be accredited at the institutional or programmatic levels.⁴

Across the board, three prominent organizations are recognized for administering MBA accreditation:

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)
• Association of MBAs (AMBA)

Despite following unique certification criteria, each accreditation agency uses guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Education, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and other stakeholders.^5,6

Accreditation from any of the three agencies helps students, schools, and employers. Students get assurance their MBA will retain its value, schools remain compliant with market standards, and employers gain access to a qualified pool of candidates.⁷

The concept of accredited MBA programs emerged in the early 20th century, as business education became a crucial element in developing skilled leaders for the modern economy. The first major accrediting body, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, was established in 1916 to standardize and elevate the quality of MBA programs and other business degrees.⁸ This step marked the beginning of a formal accreditation process that set the foundation for rigorous standards in collegiate schools of business.

As MBA programs proliferated during the industrial era, the lack of consistent standards created variability in the quality of business education. The need for an external review process led to the development of institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation to ensure accredited MBA programs met academic and professional benchmarks. Accreditation gave business schools a framework to assess their curricula, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes, ensuring graduates were well-prepared for the workforce.

In response to the globalization of business education, international accrediting organizations like the European Quality Improvement System, founded in 1972, and the Association of MBAs, established in 1967, emerged in the late 20th century.^9,10

These agencies worked alongside the AACSB and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education to create standards for internationally accredited programs.

Today, the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) and its global counterparts continue to shape the reputation of accredited schools and ensure their graduates remain competitive in an ever-changing market.¹¹

As of 2024, over 1,000 accredited business schools across more than 100 countries uphold rigorous standards, yet fewer than 5% of the world’s 13,000 business programs have achieved the prestigious AACSB Accreditation.^12,13

There are two main MBA accreditation types: regional and programmatic accreditation.

Regional accreditation measures the quality of MBA programs at the institutional level. It assesses the institution’s academic quality, curriculum, student support system, and faculty against the standards of that area. If you pick a business school whose accreditation isn’t regionally recognized, you may not be able to transfer credits to accredited institutions or qualify for federal financial aid programs.¹⁴

Regional accreditation depends on the school's location. In the U.S., the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes six accreditors:¹⁵

• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOS)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Programmatic accreditation evaluates the quality of specific MBA programs rather than the school. Typically, the reviewing body assesses the program's quality, learning outcomes, faculty qualifications, student outcomes, and other criteria.

Given that many business schools have regional accreditation, programmatic accreditation opens institutions to a more internationally diverse market. Due to recognition by international accrediting organizations, programmatic accreditation attracts a broader pool of students.

Beyond giving students peace of mind when selecting a school, accreditation enhances the reputation and value of an MBA program in several ways.

Accreditation ensures institutions adhere to a regional or global standard for curriculum, faculty, and student services. Lenders also often mandate attendance at an accredited institution if you plan to use student loans.¹⁶

Employers prefer candidates who have completed accredited degree programs.¹⁷ For several employers, accreditation shows that a potential employee has received a quality education and has the skills required for the open role. Additionally, global recognition of accredited programs enhances graduates' employability and opens doors to a wider range of job opportunities.

Because accredited programs often attract top-tier students, faculty members, and industry partnerships, accreditation opens the door to building a robust network. As a student, you can connect with professionals, alumni, and mentors for career opportunities or industry insights. More importantly, accreditation often means access to high-quality resources for an enhanced learning experience.

Accredited MBA coursework meets the accepted academic standards in a region or worldwide. This credit recognition helps graduates gain acceptance at other institutions for further studies. Accredited institutions often don’t accept credits from non-accredited institutions.¹⁴

Although MBA rankings can give you an idea of an institution’s or program’s quality, an MBA accreditation is a seal of approval from an external organization. If you’re considering an MBA, verifying its legitimacy is important.

Visit the institution’s official website and check if it mentions its MBA accreditation status. Reputable schools often display this information on their official site.

Contact or visit the official website of the accrediting agency cited by the institution to confirm that the school or program is listed as accredited. This step ensures that the accreditation claim is legitimate and current.

Verify the credibility of the accrediting organization. Consult educational resources such as the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). These resources provide databases of recognized accrediting bodies to help cross-check whether the accreditation meets the right standards.

MBA programs accredited by international bodies may provide extra credibility, particularly if you aim to work in a global market.

Everyone approaches MBA accreditations with a particular set of expectations. Sometimes, these expectations are grounded in reality. Other times, they miss the mark entirely. Here are some misconceptions regarding unaccredited programs.

Unaccredited programs lack external review processes to certify their quality. While the absence of accreditation doesn’t mean a lack of quality, you cannot ascertain that an uncredited MBA meets the current industry standards.

Many employers require or prioritize candidates from accredited institutions. MBAs from unaccredited institutions are often viewed as less reliable, which can hinder career advancement or disqualify applicants altogether.

Whether you’re planning to pursue an online MBA or business graduate degree, accreditation has significant implications for your career.

The University of Kansas online MBA program hails from a well-recognized AACSB-accredited School of Business, is ranked #9 Best Online MBA by U.S. News & World Report, and features a thorough academic program taught by highly respected faculty to help you level up your career.¹⁸

With its online admission process and coursework, the KU online MBA offers the flexibility and convenience to seamlessly balance your studies with your professional and personal commitments, empowering you to focus on achieving your career goals.

Contact an admission outreach advisor today to start your professional development.