Saint Xavier University is pleased to announce that the Graham School of Management (GSM) has earned accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International.
“Earning AACSB accreditation illustrates the value we place on providing the highest quality business education for our undergraduate and graduate students,” said President Christine M. Wiseman, J.D. “It took months of intense self-evaluation and determination to arrive at this moment. And its arrival is a great credit to the dedication of our Graham School faculty and staff, who worked hard to ensure a successful outcome throughout this rigorous process. The entire university is proud of their efforts.”
AACSB Accreditation represents the highest achievement for an educational institution that awards business degrees. It is the hallmark of excellence in business education, and has been earned by less than five percent of the world’s business programs. AACSB International is the longest-serving accrediting body of business schools that offer undergraduate, master’s, and doctorate degrees in business and accounting.
Achieving accreditation is a process of rigorous internal review, evaluation, and improvement, and can take several years to complete. During these years, the school develops and implements a plan to meet AACSB’s Accreditation Standards, which require a high-quality teaching environment, innovative programming, and active engagement with industry. Additionally, all AACSB-accredited schools must go through a peer review process every five years in order to retain their accreditation.
“This is wonderful news that reflects the high level of commitment from our faculty and deans to meet the specific standards of excellence set by the AACSB,” said Dr. Paul DeVito, Provost for Saint Xavier University. Through hard work and determination the Graham School of Management has achieved a significant goal and milestone in the history of the university.
“Congratulations to Saint Xavier University’s Graham School of Management for earning the prestigious AACSB International business accreditation,” said Chicago Alderman Matt O’Shea. “I understand that this represents the highest achievement for an educational institution that awards business degrees. This wonderful achievement reflects the high level of commitment from SXU’s faculty and deans to meet specific standards of excellence set by the AACSB as well as go through the rigorous internal reviews and evaluations that can take several years to complete.”
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel added, “Our goal as a city is for every child to be 100 percent college ready and 100 percent college bound so they have the education and skills to succeed in a 21st century economy. Saint Xavier’s most recent accomplishment reaffirms the university’s place as a strong asset for our City that is training our future leaders to succeed in all areas including business education.”
Founded in 1916, AACSB International is an association of more than 1,400 educational institutions, businesses, and other organizations in 88 countries and territories. 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.
