Business school gains global accreditation

McMaster University has earned accreditation from AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The accreditation, from the premier global accrediting body for business schools, represents the highest achievement for an educational institution involved in management education. Dean Paul Bates will be accepting the recognition on behalf of McMaster University on Sunday at the AACSB International conference and annual meeting in Paris.

“This accreditation is testament to the outstanding scholarship, research and professionalism of our students, faculty, staff and alumni,” says Paul Bates, Dean, DeGroote School of Business. “Receiving this seal of approval is proof our hard work is producing real results deserving of international recognition.”

Accreditation with AACSB International involves applicant schools undergoing meticulous internal review, evaluation, and adjustment – a process that can take from three to seven years. During this period, schools develop and implement a plan intended to meet the 21 AACSB standards that ensure high quality of management education.

“Earning AACSB accreditation requires a great deal of dedication from the entire educational institution,” said Naresh Agarwal, a professor of Human Resources & Management at DeGroote who led the school's application team. “Schools that go through the process not only meet a multitude of standards of excellence, but also make a commitment to continuous improvement. Every five years they will be required to undergo a rigorous peer review to maintain their accreditation.”

“AACSB accreditation represents the highest achievement for an educational institution involved in management education,” said John J. Fernandes, president and chief executive officer of AACSB International. “The dean, professors, staff, students and alumni at DeGroote are to be commended for their role in earning initial accreditation.”