TAMPA, FL (September
22, 2009)—AACSB International announced today that
that two institutions, Massey University and
Sogang University, have earned initial accreditation in business. Founded
in 1916, AACSB International (AACSB) is the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools that offer
undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees in business and accounting.
By achieving initial accreditation in business, Massey University
(New Zealand) and Sogang University (South Korea)
have become part of an elite group that makes up less than 5 percent of the world's business schools to have earned
business accreditation. The newest accreditations raise the
total number of institutions that maintain specialized AACSB accreditation for their business
schools to 570. Similarly, 170 institutions maintain
an additional specialized AACSB accreditation for
their accounting programs.
"Congratulations to both Massey University and Sogang University on earning initial accreditation," said John J.
Fernandes, president and chief executive officer of AACSB International. "We commend the faculty, deans, directors, and administrative staffs of each institution for their exemplary
work in helping their schools earn the highest honor in business school accreditation."
Achieving accreditation is a process of rigorous internal review, evaluation, and adjustment and can take several
years to complete. During these years, the school develops and implements a plan to meet the 21 AACSB standards
requiring a high quality teaching environment, a commitment to continuous improvement, and curricula responsive to the
needs of business.
"It takes a great deal of commitment and determination to earn AACSB accreditation," said Jerry Trapnell, executive
vice president and chief accreditation officer of AACSB International. "Schools must not only meet specific standards
of excellence, but their deans, faculties and staffs must make a commitment to ongoing improvement to ensure that the
institution will continue to deliver high quality education to students."
About AACSB International
AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), founded in 1916, is a membership
association of almost 1,200 educational institutions, businesses and other organizations in 74 countries and territories.
AACSB's mission is to advance quality management education worldwide through accreditation and thought leadership.
AACSB accreditation is the mark of quality distinction most widely sought after by business schools — less than 5%
worldwide have earned the achievement. As the premier membership and accreditation body for institutions offering undergraduate, master's
and doctorate degrees in business and accounting, the association also conducts a wide array of conferences and seminar
programs at locations throughout the world. AACSB's global headquarters is located in Tampa, Florida, USA and its Asia
headquarters is located in Singapore.
For more information, please visit www.aacsb.edu
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