Understanding The Importance of MBA Accreditation

The most important factor before signing on for an online MBA program is whether or not the school is accredited. All your efforts and studying could be in vain if your MBA degree has no accreditation, and consequently, has no little value in the job market.

Unfortunately, faking accreditation is simple enough and new students who don't know much about professional accreditation bodies can easily be fooled. Before you sign on for a course, it's very important that you study the various accreditation bodies and the kind of influence their accreditation might have on your career prospects after you have completed your MBA program. Not all types of accreditation carry the same weight or value as you enter the job market. Your online MBA program can have three different kinds of accreditation.

Regional Accreditation for an MBA Degree Program

This is the most trusted type of accreditation for an online MBA program. Regional accreditation is recognized by most employers. Your accredited online MBA program must be validated by one of the following agencies:

• New England Association of Colleges and Schools, which serves Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which includes District of Colombia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, which includes Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, New Mexico, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming
• Northwest Association of Accredited Schools, which includes Idaho, Nevada, Alaska, Montana, Utah, Oregon, and Washington
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which includes Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges, which covers Hawaii, California, and the Pacific Basin

Professional Accreditation for an Online MBA Program

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is a highly respected agency that enjoys the trust of most employers. This agency grants accreditation to several business degrees, including the MBA. Graduation from an AACSB accredited online MBA program can boost your career advancement prospects.

Distance Learning Accreditation for an Online MBA Program

The distance learning accreditation is granted by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), which focuses exclusively on distance learning. However, this is the least important agency in terms of the importance of accreditation. If your MBA program has regional accreditation or AACSB accreditation, then DETC accreditation is not necessary. DETC accreditation may not be recognized by all employers, and on its own, may not have a favorable impact on your career prospects. An MBA degree program that only has DETC accreditation is better than one that is not accredited but it should be a last resort if you do not have the financial resources to afford a degree program with either regional or AACSB accreditation.

Any accreditation other than these three types should be avoided if you're hoping to leverage your degree as a marketing tool for future jobs. If you're taking an MBA degree course strictly for learning's sake, then accreditation may seem like a secondary consideration compared to course offerings.