West Virginia University’s College of Business and Economics has maintained its accreditation for both business and accounting programs, one of only 173 schools worldwide to have the dual accreditation.

“This maintains an unbroken, 56-year streak of accreditation and shows that our faculty and students continue to perform at the highest levels,” said Nancy McIntyre, the College’s associate dean for academic affairs.

“This accreditation comes after an extensive review of the College just concluded this year, and validates the direction we have been moving,” McIntyre said. “Our faculty has produced more articles in peer-reviewed journals, we have increased internships and have created model curricula in accounting and fraud investigation programs among other achievements.”

The accreditation comes from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the oldest global accrediting body for business schools that offer undergraduate, masters and doctoral degrees in business and accounting.

“This is wonderful news,” said Michele Wheatly, WVU provost and vice president for academic affairs. “The College has worked diligently to maintain a high quality of instruction and an exceptional learning environment.

“The education, research and outreach mission of the College of Business and Economics remain important components as the University fulfills its land-grant mission,” she said. “Retaining accreditation is key to the overall success of the College and the University.

“Congratulations to the faculty, staff and students who continue to make this happen day in and day out.”

Only 593 schools of business, or fewer than 5 percent worldwide, have earned this distinguished hallmark of excellence in management education. Of these schools, only 173 have additional specialized accreditation for their accounting programs.

To maintain accreditation both the business program and the accounting program must undergo a rigorous internal review every five years, at 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, 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.”

West Virginia University is the flagship land-grant, doctoral degree-granting institution in the state and its enrollment approaches 30,000. Students are enrolled from all 55 West Virginia counties, 49 states, two territories, and 99 nations. West Virginia University is classified as a Research University (High Research Activity) by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and offers 185 bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degree programs in the arts and sciences; business and economics; creative arts; engineering and mineral resources; human resources and education; journalism; law; agriculture, forestry and consumer sciences; dentistry; medicine; nursing; pharmacy; and physical education.

The College of Business & Economics was founded in 1950 and has maintained continuous accreditation by AACSB International since 1954. The college offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with five majors: Accounting, Finance, Management, Management Information Systems, and Marketing as well as a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. To further serve the University’s mission, B&E offers three University minor programs: Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, and Economics. At the Master’s level, B&E offers a Master of Business Administration, an Executive Master of Business Administration, a Master of Science in Industrial Relations, a Master of Professional Accountancy, a Master of Arts in Economics, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Economics.

The College of Business & Economics achievement will be recognized this month at the 2010 AACSB International Conference and Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California.

To learn more about the College of Business & Economics at West Virginia University visit http://www.be.wvu.edu. Or to learn more about AACSB International accreditation, visit the accreditation section of the AACSB International Web site at: http://www.aacsb.edu/accreditation/.

-WVU-

04/07/10

CONTACT: Patrick Gregg, College of Business & Economics
304-293-5131, Patrick.Gregg@mail.wvu.edu

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