Schools use a variety of structures and approaches to provide learning experiences for students.  Programs exist at a variety of academic levels and for a variety of purposes.  The following general definitions describe learning expectations at three traditional degree levels.

Undergraduate degree programs (bachelor’s level) in business educate students in a broad range of knowledge and skills as a basis for careers in business.  Learning expectations build on the students' pre-collegiate educations to prepare students to enter and sustain careers in the business world and to contribute positively in the larger society.  Students achieve knowledge and skills for successful performance in a complex environment requiring intellectual ability to organize work, make and communicate sound decisions, and react successfully to unanticipated events.  Students develop learning abilities suitable to continue higher-level intellectual development.

Master’s level degree programs educate students at a professional level that includes both the accumulation of knowledge and abilities for participation in the business world and an understanding of how to evaluate knowledge claims in their area of focus.  

• General programs (e.g., Master of Business Administration--MBA) prepare students with a general managerial perspective and aptitude.   

Specialized master’s programs (e.g., Master of Accounting, Master of Marketing, Master of Finance) prepare students for roles in particular areas of business, management, and other organization-related professions.

Doctoral level programs educate students for highly specialized careers in academe or practice.  Graduates of doctoral programs have sufficient understanding to participate in knowledge creation in their fields of study.

The aspirations of individual schools may create circumstances unforeseen in these more general statements.  It is the responsibility of the Peer Review Team and the Business Accreditation Committee to judge the reasonableness of any deviations from interpretations of the standards.