PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (May 18, 2021) – Fifteen years ago, Prairie View A&M University’s College of Business (PVAMU COB) first attained accreditation by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, also known as AACSB International. This globally recognized accreditation program is considered the highest standard in business education, achieved by only 890 institutions around the world since it was founded in 1916. This year, AACSB reaffirmed the accreditation of 57 business schools, and PVAMU’s COB was one of them.
“Because this stamp of approval is widely recognized as the ‘gold standard’ for business school accreditations, we enjoy a number of benefits,” said COB Dean and Professor of Economics Munir Quddus, Ph.D. He added, “More companies recruit our graduates than they would have without this accreditation, which only 30 percent of business schools globally have.”
A Thoroughly Vetted College
The accreditation process is rigorous and time consuming, as it involves working with a team of peer reviewers and business deans, who evaluate and inspect all aspects of the college’s programs. The review process is designed to provide a detailed analysis of each program, reveal deficiencies and provide feedback for improvement.
“The visiting deans on the [accreditation] team are called the Peer Review Team. They were impressed with PVAMU students, members of the Dean’s Advisory Board, faculty and staff, whom they met over four days of the virtual visit,” Quddus said. “They were very interested in our newly approved Doctor of Business Administration program [DBA], which is rare among business schools in a mid-sized public university. Their recommendations were highly complementary and were approved by both the national committee and eventually by the AACSB International Board.”
Through the accreditation process, AACSB requires each program to meet the demands of the current, real-world business environment. “The business faculty have worked hard to add new programs that fit these requirements, including minors in analytics, crisis informatics, human resources and supply chain,” Quddus said. In addition to the newly approved doctoral program (DBA), the COB offers an online MBA, MS in accounting and an Executive MBA. All of these programs provide advanced learning opportunities for students interested in continuing their education.
A Surplus of Advantages for Students
“Students directly benefit from AACSB International accreditation in a number of ways,” Quddus said. “First, attaining this accreditation allows us to attract talented and accomplished faculty.” This leads to a high-quality education for students and increased visibility in the business community.
Another benefit to students: more career prospects.
“Fortune 500 companies, like ExxonMobil, seek graduates from AACSB-accredited schools when hiring,” Quddus said. Accredited programs, including the ones offered by PVAMU, provide a solid knowledge base on current international business practices, giving graduates an edge in the competitive job market.
Accreditation also opens the door to PVAMU hosting a chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma. “This is the largest international honor society for business school graduates. Hundreds of PVAMU alumni have been inducted as lifelong members since the school first achieved AACSB accreditation in the spring of 2006,” he said.
A Host to Quality Programs
Quddus has served on accreditation teams himself, including chairing several teams, so he understands the importance of keeping COB programs up-to-date and relevant in today’s business environment. He has also worked to strengthen research and programs that are innovative and produce immediate benefits to the business community. “The faculty are the heart and soul of the academy, and talented faculty must be carefully selected, nurtured and supported,” he said.
Students are encouraged to participate in experiential learning programs like the IRS-sponsored Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Other COB programs, including the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), provide support to start-ups and small companies in Prairie View and across Waller and Grimes Counties. They also offer opportunities for students to engage with and assist community businesses.
Overall, the recent reaffirmation of AACSB International accreditation amplifies the COB’s brand.
“Accreditation with AACSB International results in higher brand recognition and partnerships with companies and corporations. Additionally, the COB attracts more financial resources, which often translate to additional scholarships for our students,” Quddus said. “Recently, Charles Schwab gave a gift of $250,000 to support scholarships for finance majors. About a dozen other companies have approached us in recent years, looking for ways to partner and recruit our students. So, this is a win-win development all around.”
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