Westminster Business Department Achieves National Accreditation for Quality Programs

The John E. Simon Department of Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, and Management Information Systems at Westminster College in Fulton, MO has recently been accredited as one of the best programs in the nation.

The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the only global  accreditation body that models its standards on a national quality program, has awarded Westminster College accreditation of its business programs, after a rigorous review.

“This recognition elevates our business program, placing it among the best among liberal arts colleges in the country,” says Dr. Bill Carner, Associate Professor of Business at Westminster and author of the College’s self-study for the accreditation committee.

Schools receiving ACBSP accreditation find it helpful in stronger student and faculty recruitment and increased donor support.

ACBSP accreditation also helps with the professional development of faculty, encouraging them to be evaluators and share ideas with faculty members from other institutions.

Receiving ACBSP accreditation ensures the business community that Westminster is a reliable source of knowledgeable employees.

Employers, licensing bodies and regulatory agencies are reassured by the quality standards embodied by the accreditation.

Established in 1988, ACBSP is the only organization offering specialized business accreditation for all degree levels, from Associate to Baccalaureate to Doctoral Degree programs.

ACBSP accreditation certifies that the teaching and learning processes within the undergraduate  business programs offered at Westminster meet the rigorous educational standards established by ACBSP.

“Having this accreditation ensures the quality of our curriculum, faculty and educational processes,” says Dr. Carner.  “This process shows how our programs meet the College’s mission as it relates to student learning, faculty research, community engagement and economic development.’

Based on the criteria of the National Malcolm Baldridge Quality Award, ACBSP accreditation evaluates aspects of the institutional leadership, strategic planning processes, relationships with the community, quality of academic programs, faculty credentials and services and educational support to determine whether or not an institution offers a rigorous educational experience and demonstrates continuous quality improvements.

“Westminster has shown their commitment to teaching excellence and to the process of quality improvement by participating in the accreditation process,” says ACBSP Chief Accreditation Officer Dr. Steve Parscale, who will present the Certificate of Initial Accreditation to Westminster officials at the ACBSP Conference 2015, which is being held June 14 in Philadelphia.  “This accreditation is evidence that Westminster is committed to providing the highest quality business education for their students.”

ACBSP’s mission is to promote continuous improvement and recognize excellence in the accreditation of business education programs around the world.  Those seeking more information should go to www.acbsp.org.