Niagara University maintains prestigious AACSB international accreditation

Niagara University's College of Business Administration received notification this week that it has maintained its prestigious business accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. The college first received AACSB accreditation in 2001 and has continued to expand the quality of its teaching environment and curricula, while furthering its efforts to respond to the needs of local businesses.

"AACSB accreditation reaffirms that Niagara's College of Business Administration is one of the premier business schools in the world, one that provides an excellent quality of education to its students," remarked the Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., president of Niagara University. "This highest standard of achievement in business education has been made possible by the extraordinary leadership of Dean Mark Wilson and the faculty and staff of the college. It is also a testament to the remarkable support of the college's alumni and friends."

AACSB accreditation is the hallmark of excellence in business education and has been earned by less than 5 percent of the world's business schools. Today, there are 620 business schools in 38 countries that maintain AACSB accreditation.

"I am very proud of the college's accomplishments and our AACSB accreditation validates the excellent work that the faculty and staff do to ensure the success of our students," added Dr. Wilson, who has served as the college's dean since 2008. "International accreditation to this standard enhances student recruitment, further elevates the high value of our graduates' degrees and keeps the business school in elite company in higher education."

AACSB's accreditation includes both undergraduate and MBA programs in business. Niagara University's College of Business Administration offers undergraduate degrees in accounting, economics, finance, management, and marketing, as well as its highly regarded master in business administration program.

Achieving accreditation is a process of rigorous internal review, evaluation and adjustment, and can take several years to complete. During these years, the school develops and implements a plan to meet the AACSB accreditation standards.

"AACSB commends the faculty, deans, directors and administrative staffs of Niagara University for their exemplary work in helping their college maintain the highest honor in business school accreditation" said John J. Fernandes, president and CEO of AACSB International. "We are pleased to send our congratulations to Niagara University for maintaining their accreditation."

Founded in 1916, AACSB International is an association of more than 1,200 educational institutions, businesses and other organizations in 78 countries and territories. AACSB's mission is to advance quality management education worldwide through accreditation, thought leadership, and value-added services. As the premier accrediting body for institutions offering undergraduate, master's, and doctorate degrees in business and accounting, the association also conducts a wide array of conferences and seminar programs at locations throughout the world. AACSB's global headquarters is located in Tampa, Fla., and its Asia headquarters is located in Singapore.

For more information about Niagara University's business programs, including its master's degree program in business administration, visit www.niagara.edu/business or call 286-8050.