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Walker College of Business Receives Accreditation Renewal from AACSB for Five More Years

March 29, 2013. AACSB International (AACSB) has extended accreditation to the Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University for an additional five years. The accreditation renewal is based on a peer review team recommendation following a site visit in January. The Walker College of Business has been accredited since 1976.

 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 standard of excellence for business schools,” said WCOB Dean Randy Edwards.  He noted several commendations made by the review team regarding the college and its effective practices.

“The team was very impressed with the culture of the college and university that fosters a collegial atmosphere,” Edwards said. “The faculty are involved in the life of the college and focused on enhancing or facilitating transformative experiences for the students. The students are very positive about the faculty, Appalachian and their experiences here.”


images-1Edwards said the review team also cited Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock’s open door policy, saying it is “worthy of note and a distinctive feature of the campus. … It is clear that the upper administration strongly supports the Walker College of Business and its dean.”

The review team also praised the strong programs and centers that support the efforts of the faculty, the college’s student organizations and their faculty advisors, international study experiences and partnership development, and support for faculty in development, research and learning new skills. 

“AACSB commends deans, heads of business units, and academic and non-academic staff at each institution for their exemplary work in helping their schools earn or maintain the highest honor in business school accreditation,” said Robert D. Reid, executive vice president and chief accreditation officer of AACSB International. “We are pleased to welcome the newly accredited schools, and send our congratulations to those that have maintained their accreditation.”

AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) was founded in 1916. There are 672 business schools in 44 countries and territories that maintain AACSB accreditation.  AACSB’s mission is to advance quality management education worldwide through accreditation, thought leadership, and value-added services. As the premier accreditation 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.

For more information, visit www.aacsb.edu.