People choose to pursue online MBAs for many reasons. Your list may include: work/school flexibility, developing new skills, expanded job opportunities, higher salary, and building your network, to name a few. An MBA can deliver a solid return on investment.
As you examine your MBA options, be sure to include Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation among your selection criteria. Less than six percent of business schools globally have achieved this prestigious recognition; just over 500 master’s-level business programs in the United States hold this credential.
AACSB accreditation indicates that the quality of a program’s student body, faculty, retention and graduation rates, curricula, and alumni satisfaction meet the organization’s criteria. Choosing an online MBA program with this distinction ensures you get what you paid for—a top-quality education employers prefer. Continue reading to learn more about AACSB accreditation and the AACSB-accredited Online Master of Business Administration at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Earn Your MBA Online at UTK
Attend an AACSB-Accredited Business School
What is AACSB Accreditation?
Accreditation is a form of certification determined by an independent organization or agency. Two types of accreditation—institutional and programmatic—predominate in academia.
Institutional accreditation, conducted by regional accreditors, certifies the educational quality of an entire college or university and all of its schools. This type of accreditation is valuable because it verifies the quality of the overall institution, allows credit transfers among accredited institutions, and ensures that employers will accept the degree.
While institutional accreditation covers all of the schools within a higher education institution, it does not guarantee that all those schools perform at the same caliber. Programmatic accreditation can fill that gap, certifying the authenticity and rigor of a particular school or program.
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is a programmatic accreditation agency. Established in 1916, AACSB is the oldest and one of the most respected programmatic accrediting bodies. In its review, AACSB conducts a comprehensive examination of a business school’s mission, faculty qualifications, classroom instruction, and program quality. AACSB accreditation covers all degree offerings within a program, including online degrees.
Is There an Advantage to Earning an AACSB-Accredited Online MBA?
The plethora of online MBA options makes choosing a high-quality program that’s right for you challenging. AACSB accreditation helps. In addition to identifying schools that meet the organization’s discerning criteria, benefits of attending an AACSB-accredited institution include:
- Employers recognize the value of AACSB-accredited institutions; many solely hire graduates from schools with this distinction.
- Universities choose to go the extra mile to earn this accreditation because it aids in recruiting students and high-caliber professors and researchers.
- Students have greater professional success, gaining access to more professional recruiters, admission to AACSB’s extensive professional network, and higher salaries.
AACSB validates these claims, citing research from over 80 peer-reviewed articles demonstrating that “AACSB accreditation enhances academic quality, establishes a robust brand for affiliated schools, encourages increased resources and support, and generates improved outcomes for students.”
The Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee has earned and maintained AACSB accreditation since 1941. Halsam has delivered on that credential for nearly a century, providing a superior education rooted in the real world that prepares students to become innovative business leaders.
What to Look for in a High-Quality Online MBA Program
In addition to AACSB accreditation, there are other aspects of an online MBA that prospective students should consider, including curriculum, faculty, and networking opportunities. The Halsam College of Business’ online MBA checks all of those boxes—and more.
An Industry-Aligned Curriculum
Employers seek MBA graduates who are prepared with the hard and soft skills needed to meet today’s challenges and innovate for tomorrow. In a recent survey, recruiters and hiring managers weighed in on the top business skills in demand over the next five years. See how UTK’s online courses prepare future business professionals for these requirements:
- Communication skills: Classes like Business Communications and Marketing Strategy teach students how to engage with all levels of business, from consumer to CEO.
- Data analysis and interpretation skills: Quantitative Methods and Operations Management and Decisions Modeling prepare graduates for a data-driven future.
- Learning, motivation, and leadership skills: Economics in a Global Environment and Emerging Issues in Strategy, Organization and Management expose future business leaders to the challenges of the global business world.
- Strategy and innovation skills: The Strategic Management Capstone combines all aspects of the curriculum and the student’s work experience to fine-tune strategic and innovative problem-solving.
Active Faculty Researchers and Practitioners
Faculty experts with real-world business experience and strong research credentials enliven the UTK MBA curriculum. These academics draw on their business experiences and research findings to create a relevant and engaging learning environment. Meet some of the UTK Haslam College of Business professors and learn about their work:
- Angel Norman, senior lecturer, teaches information technology and serves in various leadership and advisory roles at the Haslam College of Business. She previously worked as a financial analyst, dental management consultant and healthcare consultant. Norman stays active as a finance professional through her current role as dental practice chief financial officer.
- Bogdan Bichescu, associate professor and MSBA program director, teaches subjects including lean operations, decision modeling and analysis, business simulation, and project management. His research, which explores supply chain modeling and healthcare operations, has appeared in publications including Production and Operations Management, Decision Sciences, European Journal of Operational Research and Omega.
- Yuanyang Liu, assistant professor of data science, is an expert on big data analytics, data mining, machine learning, predictive analytics, and social media analytics. His research helps to guide corporate leaders in workforce development initiatives, particularly in navigating the challenges and opportunities in adopting artificial intelligence.
- Paolo Letizia is an associate professor of operations management and business analytics, a Ray and Joan Myatt Faculty Research Fellow, and Ball Corporation Professor in Business. His research covers sustainable operations, closed-loop supply chain management, operations-marketing interface, and supply chain management. Letizia’s work has been published in multiple journals; he has been an associate editor for the Decision Sciences journal since 2019. Before starting his academic career, he worked for the consulting firm Accenture on supply chain management, operations management and customer relationship management projects.
A Global Alumni Network
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville and the Haslam Business School are justifiably renowned for the size and impact of their alumni networks. The UTK Volunteer alumni network is over 275,000 strong.
Eighty percent of professionals believe networking is vital to career success, and UTK is committed to helping foster these relationships for long-term success. In Halsam’s online MBA program, the relationships between peers and faculty begin on the first day and last long after graduation.
Before the business program commences, UTK hosts a three-day in-person orientation on campus to facilitate introductions with fellow students and faculty, familiarize students with the program and the campus, and engage new students with current students. Those bonds grow in class discussions, collaborations and study groups throughout the program. After graduation, peers and professors continue to support and celebrate each other as they advance in their careers.
Explore an AACSB-Accredited MBA That Checks the Boxes
If you are looking for:
Online MBA program
AACSB-accredited
Flexible
Relevant and innovative curriculum
Informed and industry-tested faculty
Built-in network invested in your success
UTK’s Halsam online MBA program checks all the boxes—and more.
In today’s business world, MBA graduates need leadership skills and an analytical mindset to steer companies toward success. This flexible degree is designed for the working professional so you can learn online at your own pace. With a strong student support system and no GRE or GMAT requirement, nothing stands in the way of your success.
Discover What Else Sets the UTK Online MBA Program Apart
Less than six percent of business schools in the world have been accredited by AACSB. UTK’s online MBA is one of them. In addition to this prestigious credential, Halsam offers a curriculum grounded in in-demand skills, faculty with superior industry experience and research credentials, and a robust network of peers, alumni and faculty.
Distinguish yourself with a flexible, in-demand degree. Discover whether an online MBA from the Halsam College of Business is the right choice for you. Connect with an admissions advisor to learn more or start your application today.