Only about one-fourth of the 1200 colleges in the United States offering undergraduate business degrees, and less than half of those offering master's degrees, are accredited by AACSB. The SHSU programs were accredited at both levels.
In announcing its action, the AACSB commended the College of Business Administration on the commitment of the president and vice president to the accreditation process, in particular for support in acquiring necessary computer resources and qualified faculty; a well developed assessment program; and the faculty for their classroom innovation in the teaching of production management (robotics).
"Sam Houston State University is particularly pleased to have achieved accreditation of its undergraduate and graduate business programs by the prestigious American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business," said Dr. Bobby K. Marks, interim SHSU president.
"This accreditation represents proof of the excellence of those programs. The faculty, staff, and students of the College of Business Administration have my heartiest congratulations."
Dr. James E. Gilmore, interim vice president of Academic Affairs and Student Services, who served as dean of the newly-accredited college during the accreditation process, also expressed congratulations.
"AACSB emphasizes quality in all aspects of our programs, and accreditation gives national recognition of the quality that has existed in the College of Business Administration for a long time," said Dr. Gilmore.
"This recognition adds considerable prestige for our students, faculty, alumni, the College of Business Administration, and the university."
To achieve accreditation, a business school must meet a wide range of quality standards relating to curriculum, faculty resources, admissions, degree requirements, library and computer facilities, financial resources, and intellectual climate.
During the accreditation process, the College of Business Administration was visited and evaluated by business school deans from accredited institutions with detailed knowledge of management education, applying standards widely accepted in the educational community.
Headquartered in St. Louis, AACSB is the most prestigious accrediting agency and service organization for U. S. business schools.
"AACSB is a not-for-profit organization of more than 800 educational organizations and corporations," said Dr. R. Dean Lewis, interim dean of the college. "Its mission is excellence in management education in colleges and universities, and we are pleased to have its endorsement."
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April 1, 1996