|
The purpose of an IACBE member becoming a candidate for accreditation is to provide an academic business unit with an opportunity to prepare itself for the development of a comprehensive self-study and then have a site visit conducted by a professional team of evaluators from the IACBE.
Programs have fewer problems in developing their self-studies and providing evidence of compliance with IACBE accreditation principles when they have first been in a candidacy process which helps develop a keen understanding of the accreditation process. In addition, the candidacy process saves the business unit considerable time and effort in preparing the self-study and builds understanding and confidence in the overall accreditation process.
It is essential that the following guidelines be followed when applying for candidacy status. Once granted candidacy status, the program must determine, in consultation with the IACBE headquarters, the timetable for first-time accreditation.
To be considered for candidacy status, a program must:
- Submit a letter to the IACBE from the institution’s chief executive officer requesting candidacy status and affirming the institution’s commitment to attaining and maintaining excellence in business education and supporting the IACBE’s accreditation process.
- Schedule a preliminary site visit to determine its eligibility for candidacy status.
- Submit the following information to the IACBE:
- A list of locations where the institution’s business and business-related degree programs are offered.
- The qualifications of business faculty.
- A copy of the institution’s organizational chart.
- Pay the costs of the preliminary site visit to the IACBE at least 90 days in advance of the preliminary visit. These costs include travel expenses, hotel, food, transportation, and a site visit fee.
- Have the preliminary site visit.
In addition, the following information must be compiled and made available on site to the preliminary visit representative of the IACBE:
- A copy of the most recent catalog for undergraduate and graduate programs. If the catalog is on-line, provide the Internet address (URL) and an electronic version.
- A program overview of the academic business unit which includes:
- The mission statement of the academic business unit.
- The specific page number in the institution’s catalog which:
- Describes each business program
- Identifies the academic credentials of each full-time faculty who teaches in the business program (highest earned degree and major field of study)
- Identifies the business core required by each business major and/or concentration
- Identifies the general education requirements for each business major and/or concentration (if applicable)
- Identifies the required courses beyond the business core for each business major and/or concentration
- The number of undergraduate and graduate students majoring in business or business-related programs for each of the past three years
- The number of degrees conferred, for each of the past three years, in business or business-related programs, listed by degree, major, and concentration.
- A completed outcomes assessment plan for the academic business unit.
- The most current assessment results from the direct and indirect measures of student learning.
- A description of the linkages between the academic business unit and business and industry (e.g., business advisory board, internships, etc.).
If needed, mentoring is available to assist the academic business unit in compiling the information required for the candidacy process.
The IACBE will review the report of the site visit representative and will communicate deficiencies and corrective actions that need to be taken. The academic business unit is expected to respond to each issue in the letter. The report and the response will be reviewed by the Board of Commissioners. When the candidacy requirements have been met, the academic business unit will be granted candidacy status by the Board of Commissioners.
After candidacy status is obtained, the academic business unit will, in consultation with the IACBE, establish a timeframe for attaining first-time accreditation.
Candidacy status in the IACBE normally will not exceed five years. Under extenuating circumstances, a single one-year extension may be approved by the IACBE Board of Commissioners. Under no circumstance is there any guarantee that candidates for accreditation will be accredited. Such determination is made by the IACBE Board of Commissioners after a self-study is prepared and a site visit is conducted.
Annual reports to the IACBE are required of all institutional members, including candidates for accreditation, regardless of accreditation status.
To assist members of the IACBE, the Board of Commissioners holds an accreditation workshop each year during the IACBE annual conference. Candidates for accreditation are encouraged to attend these workshops.
|
