The University of Houston-Downtown’s (UHD) Marilyn Davies College of Business recently completed the rigorous process of extending its accreditation with the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Today, AACSB announced that the college was among other institutions around the globe to earn its seal of approval.

An AACSB accreditation is the gold standard for recognizing quality and excellence among business programs. According to AACSB data, only five percent of the world’s institutions delivering both undergraduate and graduate business programs are accredited. To date, 831 institutions across 54 countries and territories are accredited by AACSB.

“An AACSB accreditation is indicative of the exceptional faculty and academic programs within the college,” said UHD President, Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz. “This achievement also reflects our commitment to our college’s stakeholders, our students and our region. Houstonians deserve a world-class business college that is affordable, accessible and achievable. We provide them with such an institution at our Marilyn Davies College of Business.”

The AACSB accreditation process involved the efforts of the college’s faculty and staff. It involved working closely with an AACSB mentor, as well as a peer-reviewed evaluation. Institutions seeking accreditation also develop and implement a strategic plan aligned with AACSB standards. These standards should demonstrate excellence in areas relating to strategic management and innovation; active participation from faculty, staff and students; learning and teaching; and professional engagement.

Dr. Charles Gengler, dean of the Marilyn Davies College of Business, applauded the team effort put forth by the college’s faculty.

“The Marilyn Davies College of Business community is extremely proud of this institution,” he said. “Our passion for the students was a driving force behind this accreditation effort. We would not have been a success without the hard work and devotion of everyone at the college. I would like to commend Dr. Whitney Morgan for her leadership in coordinating this process.”

Morgan, associate professor of management, served as the principal liaison between the Marilyn Davies College of Business and AACSB.

“Earning an extension of AACSB Accreditation means that our college engages in data-driven continuous improvement processes to provide quality business education,” she said. “It’s a point of pride for our stakeholders including faculty, staff, students, alumni, the UHD community, and industry partners.”

The Marilyn Davies College of Business offers nine undergraduate majors and two graduate degrees – the Master of Business Administration (the largest program in Houston) and the Master of Security Management. It also hosts specialized centers and institutes that include the Career Center, Center for Entrepreneurship, Center for Retail Management, Institute for Business, Ethics and Public Issues, and Insurance & Risk Management Center.

In both its graduate and undergraduate programs, the college seeks to provide real-world learning opportunities. Faculty include both noted scholars and veteran business leaders, who impart practical insights related to a range of industries.

AACSB’s accreditation serves as a reminder for students that they are receiving a world class academic experience and learning from some of the best faculty in the nation.

“It ensures that students acquire the business knowledge, procedures and skills demanded by employers in the marketplace,” said Justo Manrique, associate dean of Undergraduate Studies.