The College of Business at the University of Mary Washington has successfully completed the continuous improvement review of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and has achieved extension of its accreditation for another five years.
“This is a significant milestone signifying our commitment to academic excellence and highest quality standards in business degree programs and in student success,” said UMW College of Business Dean Filiz Tabak.
UMW first achieved AACSB accreditation in 2018, among just 5% of schools earning the international recognition at the time. Only 6% of the world’s business schools are currently accredited by AACSB, demonstrating a commitment to high-quality rigorous standards, innovation and continuous process improvement.
“AACSB congratulates each institution on achieving AACSB accreditation,” said Stephanie Bryant, executive vice president and global chief accreditation officer at AACSB. “The commitment to earning accreditation is a true reflection of each school’s dedication—not only to its students, alumni network, and greater business community—but to society as a whole.”
Founded in 1916, AACSB is the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools and the benchmark of quality for business education worldwide. AACSB-accredited schools are considered to be the best institutions for business education internationally. Each school has undergone a lengthy, rigorous process of external review of its mission, faculty qualifications, curricula and ability to provide the highest-quality programs.
“Once again, the University of Mary Washington has demonstrated the excellence of our programs, thanks to the dedicated work of our faculty and staff,” said UMW Provost Timothy O’Donnell. “This international recognition affirms that our students graduate ready for business on a global scale, with our alumni demonstrating success and employers eager to hire our students for internships and careers.”
At UMW, the review took into account undergraduate degrees as well as the innovative and flexible MBA program. UMW’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration delivers a broad, intellectual outlook and analytical skills for students who wish to combine a liberal arts education with academically rigorous coursework in administration needed for careers in management or in preparation for graduate study. Classes provide an understanding of the variety of approaches to the complexity of managerial decision-making in the contextual framework of a global society. Students can major in accounting, business administration, international business or marketing, or minor in business administration, entrepreneurship, or financial and quantitative analysis. Starting in Fall 2024, students can also major in management and entrepreneurship.
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) provides a quality graduate program for experienced professionals who want to assume management and leadership positions in a variety of organizational settings. Through a distinctive blend of opportunities for learning, scholarship and professional development, creative leaders thrive and advance both their knowledge and careers. The program is facilitated by a faculty with extensive business experience and academic credentials, committed to excellence in teaching, research and scholarship contributing to knowledge in their disciplines, and service to the regional business community.
“Faculty, staff, and administration worked diligently and collaboratively to achieve this highest level of external validation for the College of Business and we are all very proud to launch our graduates into successful career trajectories with this seal of quality,” Tabak said. “We all look forward to the continued growth and success of our students.”
Each year, high-impact experiential events such as “Meet the Firms,” Career Connections, Speed Networking, Executive-in-Residence visits, Alumni Awards and the Capstone Strategy Business Case Competition showcase student success and alumni excellence, offering connections beyond the classroom.
