The UCCS College of Business has once again maintained its business accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. Founded in 1916, AACSB International is the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools that offer undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees in business and accounting.
AACSB Accreditation is the hallmark of excellence in business education and has been earned by only six percent of the world’s leading business programs. AACSB-accredited schools are leaders in teaching, research and societal impact.
The AACSB accreditation team conducted their assessment November 3 – 5, 2024, meeting with faculty, staff and administration. This month, the College of Business received official notification that their accreditation had been extended for another six years.
“The AACSB distinction means top-notch business education – an accolade we’ve earned now for 35 consecutive years,” said Tommy Aicher, Dean of the College of Business. “One of the things that always impresses me about our college is that we come together and put our best efforts forward, day in and day out. While it is easy to point to a single day, this is representative of five years of time and effort we placed into improving and evolving our college.”
The UCCS College of Business first received accreditation from AACSB International in 1990. For over 35 years, UCCS has demonstrated a commitment to innovation, impact and teaching excellence in business education. In the reaccreditation announcement, AACSB lauded UCCS for their work in the following areas:
- R.O.A.R.: This COB program is designed to prepare students for a seamless transition from college to career upon graduation. ROAR is required for all business undergraduates and focuses on career exploration and planning, professionalism, networking, mentorship, and experiential learning.
- The Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative (DFEI) Collegiate Program: Launched in 2010, DFEI Collegiate Program at UCCS provides a resource for principle-based ethics education, serving students, educators, and the business community. This program hosts a plethora of engagement opportunities each year including ethics speakers, workshops, competitions, and conferences, as well as an annual business ethics case competition.
- The COB Recording Studio: This tremendous asset allows the COB to supplement in-class and online courses with state-of-the-art videos and instruction.
The AACSB Peer Review Team was impressed with the College of Business’s culture. Everyone—faculty, staff, and students—were highly engaged and collegial. The students, in particular, showed immense pride in being part of UCCS College of Business. The Peer Review Team even mentioned taking some of UCCS’s practices back to their own schools.
About the UCCS College of Business
Established in 1965, the UCCS College of Business enrolls over 1,300 undergraduate and 350 MBA students. It offers a range of degrees, including Bachelor of Science in Business, Bachelor of Innovation, and advanced graduate degrees. With over 10,000 alumni worldwide, the College continues to influence industries globally while fostering growth in the local community. For more information, visit business.uccs.edu.
About the AACSB
AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), founded in 1916, their mission is to elevate the quality and impact of business schools globally. As the premier accreditation body for institutions offering undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees in business and accounting, the association also conducts a wide array of conferences and seminar programs at locations throughout the world. For more information, please visit www.aacsb.edu.