CBE maintains AACSB accreditation

Lehigh’s College of Business and Economics has earned re-accreditation from the
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Less than one-third of business schools nationally and only 10 percent of business schools worldwide meet the standards of AACSB accreditation.

“Lehigh has one of the most outstanding business programs in the country,” says Kenneth Sinclair, professor of accounting who oversaw the five year-long accreditation process. “It reaffirms our commitment to providing our students with a high quality business education—one that reflects the changing demands of the marketplace.”

AACSB accreditation includes a rigorous peer review process that is conducted once every five years. Designed to promote continuous improvement, the process considers how a program’s faculty, students and curriculum complement its overall mission.

To achieve accreditation, business programs must satisfy the expectations of a wide range of quality standards relating to the strategic management of resources, interactions of faculty and students in the educational process, and achievement of learning goals in degree programs.

The College of Business and Economics was specifically recognized for its learning outcomes assessment model, an innovative approach to measuring program objectives. The college’s relatively small faculty was also commended for its efficiency and productivity, as well as for its commitment to the college’s students.

“AACSB accreditation reflects the care and attention we place on business education,” says Paul Brown, dean of the College of Business and Economics. “And it shows that we’re in a great position to adapt and grow as a college. Our students can be assured they’ll be getting an education that truly mirrors what’s happening in business.”

Accounting accreditation

The college’s accounting department also earned re-accreditation. Accounting is the only individual business discipline that undergoes the AACSB review process as well.

Recognized as one of the most successful accounting programs in the nation, Lehigh earned high marks for its unique Annual Conference on Accounting Professionalism. At the event, junior accounting majors and their graduate-level peers in Lehigh’s MS in Accounting and Information Analysis program learn about the profession directly from a diverse group of accounting professionals in public accounting, financial services and industry.

The program was also lauded for high student satisfaction, highly-dedicated alumni, and a helpful advisory board.

“Accreditation is aimed at really more than just providing good, entry-level positions for our students,” says Sinclair. “It’s about preparing students for successful, long-term careers by addressing both technical and interpersonal skills. And that’s something we do exceptionally well here at Lehigh.”

--Tom Yencho