As you investigate possible schools, ask plenty of questions to find the program that’s best suited to your goals. Here are some important topics to raise with any school:
Coursework
- What classes are required for the business degree?
- Can you test-drive the course deliver software before enrolling?
- Is it possible to speak with an instructor in the business studies department?
- Is there an alumni network you can contact for first-hand insights about the student experience?
Acceptance Criteria
- How does the school decide which students to accept?
- What are the prerequisites for business classes?
- Does the school require an entrance exam such as the SAT or GMAT?
- Do work and life experiences factor into admissions decisions?
- Will the school accept college credits you’ve already earned?
Student Resources
- Does the school offer career counseling services?
- What are the school’s graduation rates?
- What about its job placement rates?
- Does the instructional staff include both part- and full-time faculty?
Accreditation
An outside seal of approval, accreditation signals that a school has met standards for excellence and rigor. It’s an important marker of quality. The federal government offers loans and grants only to students enrolled in accredited schools.
Ask if the school you’re considering has received accreditation, and which kind. Do your homework carefully. Some unscrupulous players have been known to create their own (fake) agencies, complete with phony logos. Don’t just take the school’s word about accreditation; double-check with the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, both of which keep lists of above-board agencies.
There are two primary types of accreditation for U.S. colleges:
- Regional – this is the gold standard of accreditation, with just six regional associations in the country. Credits earned at regionally accredited schools are the easiest to transfer to other schools.
- National – The Distance Education Accrediting Commission focuses on online educators, granting accreditation to those with a proven commitment to educational excellence and student achievement.
For business schools, two other agencies offer accreditation:
- The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is highly selective, accepting fewer than five percent of global business programs into its elite ranks.
- The Accreditation Council for Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) looks carefully at outcomes such as employment rates in order to rate a school’s overall quality.
