The College of Business at Southern Arkansas University recently had its esteemed AACSB accreditation extended for five years following an encouraging peer review.
A continuous improvement review team visited the SAU College of Business in the fall semester, and their recommendation for accreditation extension was ratified by the Board of Directors of AACSB, or the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
“Congratulations to you, the faculty, the students, the staff, and all supporters of the school,” wrote AACSB Board of Directors Chair Linda Livingstone in a letter to SAU College of Business Dean Dr. Lisa Toms.
Livingstone also commended the SAU College of Business for the many strengths noted in the peer review report. The peer review team noted the commitment to quality, as reflected by the SAU MBA program being listed in the top three most affordable online business degrees by OnlineU.org. Also noted was the ability to recruit and retain high quality professors, as demonstrated by the fact that seven of the 20 professors in the College of Business have been granted endowed professorships.
The peer review team also highlighted the students’ satisfaction with the college’s open-door policy and small class sizes, as well as the personal attention given to students by its faculty. More than 20 students applauded these factors in personal interviews with the peer review team.
The addition of “Environmental Sustainability” to the College’s strategic plan was applauded, in particular for the fact that it resulted from gathering input from local business representatives, faculty research, and the student body.
Also, the annual “all expense” paid field trips for students were highlighted by the peer review team. These trips are led by an SAU alumnus and give current students to observe companies such as Wal-Mart, Tyson, and JB Hunt.
The addition of SAP into the curriculum at the SAU College of Business was noted as a contributing factor to the enhancement of students’ career development plans. The SAU College of Business joined the SAP University Alliance in 2013, and a new computer lab was recently opened to cater to students in these classes.
Also praised was the increase of student-led real-world projects due to the Small Business Technology Development Center’s (SBTDC) location in the SAU Business Building. The SBDTC also is a supporting element in the new Entrepreneurship major.
The next on-site visit by an AACSB continuous improvement review will occur during the 2019-20 academic year.
Fewer than 10% of all colleges and schools of business worldwide have the distinction of being accredited by AACSB International. Small class sizes and a low student-to-teacher ratio ensure a personal environment in which students have access to their professors and the ability to take advantage of all the opportunities available. Inside and outside the classroom, the faculty go above and beyond—providing personal guidance, mentorship, and interaction—to help students succeed. Over the past five years, approximately 200 SAU business students have received credit for internships at such Fortune 500 companies as Wal-Mart, Murphy Oil, Walgreens, Sherwin Williams, and Disney, as well as with local businesses and non-profit organizations.
The MBA program at SAU allows you to take the next step toward your success. A rigorous curriculum and real-world projects prepare students for management positions in an ever-changing global environment. The SAU MBA was recently recognized by the Affordable Colleges Foundation’s “Best Online MBA Programs for 2014-15.” SAU’s MBA was ranked 19 of the 68 schools making the list, and was the only program in Arkansas honored.
To find out more about the SAU College of Business, visit www.SAUmag.edu/Business.
