Only 5% of business schools worldwide are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), placing DePaul in an elite tier.
The Driehaus College of Business and its School of Accountancy & MIS have both earned five-year accreditation renewals from AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB grants accreditation to business programs that meet rigorous standards and demonstrate the highest quality in teaching, research and student achievement. The distinction places DePaul in an elite tier – only 5% of business schools worldwide are accredited by AACSB.
“AACSB accreditation is a mark of excellence that tells students they will receive a challenging, engaging and relevant business education at DePaul,” says Thomas Donley, interim dean of the Driehaus College of Business. “It affirms that we are offering high quality programs taught by an outstanding faculty.”
Ray Whittington, director of the School of Accountancy & MIS, says the school’s reaccreditation “validates that our accountancy programs are among the best globally when it comes to engagement, innovation and impact.”
AACSB-accredited business schools are reassessed every five years. In the fall, DePaul’s business and accountancy program leaders submitted comprehensive reports that document continuous improvement outcomes over the past five years and requested re-accreditation. The reports detailed how DePaul’s programs are meeting AACSB’s standards for curricula management and assurance of learning; teaching effectiveness; student academic and professional engagement; mission fulfillment and other requirements.
In the next step in the assessment, an AACSB peer review team conducted virtual meetings in November with college and university leaders, faculty and staff to evaluate the college and accountancy school’s efforts to meet AACSB standards. Their subsequent recommendation to extend accreditation for the college and school was ratified in January by the AACSB board of directors.
Stephanie M. Bryant, executive vice president and chief accreditation officer of AACSB, congratulated DePaul and other recently reaccredited institutions for their achievement in a Feb. 2
AACSB news release. “Every AACSB-accredited school has demonstrated a focus on excellence in all areas, including teaching, research, curricula development, and student learning,” she said. “The intense peer-review process exemplifies their commitment to quality business education.”
Established in 1916, AACSB is the world’s largest business education alliance, connecting educators, learners and business to create the next generation of great leaders. With a presence in more than 100 countries and territories, AACSB fosters engagement, accelerates innovation, and amplifies impact in business education. AACSB has accredited 882 business schools worldwide and grants supplemental, specialized AACSB accreditation to 189 accounting programs.