AU earns prestigious business accreditation from AACSB International

Joe Lyons • March 5, 2024

ASHLAND, Ohio – Ashland University is pleased to announce that its Dauch College of Business and Economics has earned business accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). It was announced Tuesday by AACSB International, the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools, and the largest business education network connecting learners, educators and businesses worldwide.

“AACSB accreditation recognizes institutions that have demonstrated a focus on excellence in all areas, including teaching, research, curriculum development and student learning,” stated Stephanie M. Bryant, executive vice president and chief accreditation officer of AACSB. “We congratulate Ashland University and Dean Dan Fox on earning accreditation and applaud the entire team, including the administration, faculty, staff and students, for their roles in earning this respected honor.”

AU President Carlos Campo, Ph.D., added, “We congratulate the faculty and staff in the College of Business and Economics for their commitment to excellence, which led to achieving this milestone. We also thank the AACSB for partnering with us on this achievement, as they were professional partners during the academic journey which resulted in this outstanding news.”

AACSB accreditation is synonymous with the highest standards of quality. Less than six percent of the world’s schools offering business degree programs hold AACSB accreditation. Through Tuesday’s ratification, which included six other schools, a total of 1,019 institutions across 65 countries and territories have earned AACSB accreditation in business.

“The academic community of Ashland University is so appreciative of the validation that AACSB has provided for the quality journey which the faculty of the College of Business and Economics has been actively traveling to reach this milestone,” said Amiel Jarstfer, Ph.D., provost of AU. “We’re confident that the business students will continue to perceive the deep engagement of the teaching scholars in this college of Ashland University.”

Achieving AACSB accreditation is a mission-driven, rigorous process that includes an in-depth assessment of internal activities, mentorship with an AACSB advisor and a peer-reviewed evaluation focused on continuous improvement. During this multiyear path, schools focus on developing and implementing a plan to achieve their mission and align with AACSB’s accreditation standards. These principles-based standards require excellence in areas relating to strategic management and innovation, research and teaching and learning.

“We are honored by this recognition as it affirms our commitment to providing students with the highest quality business education. This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication of our students, faculty, administration and staff,” said Dan Fox, dean of AU’s College of Business and Economics. “With AACSB accreditation, we are now positioned as a college to achieve even greater things as we carry out the mission of providing students with a transformative learning experience and shaping graduates who work, serve and lead with integrity in their local, national and global communities.”

AU’s College of Business and Economics, or COBE as it is affectionately known on campus, offers a wide variety of undergraduate academic programs, ranging from traditional disciplines like accounting, finance, management and marketing to more specialized areas like entrepreneurship, fashion merchandising, sport management and its newest offering, industrial and systems engineering. There is also a top-rated MBA program that features a variety of formats and specializations to advance one’s career.

COBE also houses the Burton D. Morgan Center for Free Enterprise & Entrepreneurship, devoted to encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation of all AU students, no matter their major. The center provides expertise, support, education and connections to help turn one’s passion into a profitable business idea.

“Ashland University’s commitment to earning accreditation is a true reflection of (its) dedication, not only to (its) students, alumni network and greater business community, but to the higher education industry as a whole,” added Bryant. “Today’s students are tomorrow’s business leaders, and the addition of Ashland University to the network of AACSB-accredited schools will have a lasting positive impact for (its) institution, both locally and globally.”