ISSUED: 8 January 2015
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Two of Shepherd University’s business programs recently received accreditation from the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). The bachelor of science in business administration was first accredited in 2004 and that accreditation has been renewed. IACBE is accrediting the master of business administration for the first time.
Shepherd is one of four colleges in West Virginia with IACBE-accredited programs. They are the M.B.A. with concentrations in accounting and health administration and the B.S. in business administration with concentrations in entrepreneurship and small business management, financial planning, general business, management, hospitality management, human resources management, and marketing. IACBE started in 1997. The organization’s website says its goal is to “promote, develop, and recognize excellence in business education.”
Dr. Ann Marie Legreid, dean of Shepherd’s School of Business and Social Sciences, said IACBE focuses more on teaching than research, with a strong emphasis on student learning and career preparation. Legreid said that is a good fit for Shepherd’s business program, which she pointed out emphasizes a liberal arts education in a student-focused environment.
The letter announcing the accreditation includes four commendations, areas in which the IACBE board believes the business department demonstrates exceptional performance:
- A strong commitment to student assessment and ensuring that plans for undergraduate and graduate programs are effective and comprehensive.
- Having extremely effective and highly qualified faculty members who are willing to assist students.
- Demonstrating a commitment to external relationships and creating a student advisory board in the M.B.A. program.
- Providing students with international experiences through the study-abroad program.
Dr. Kathleen Corpus, chair of the business administration and family and consumer sciences department, said achieving the accreditation means the programs have reached and maintained stringent standards.
“I’m excited about it,” Corpus said. “And I think employers will look at the accreditation and realize when they hire a Shepherd graduate, that student has gone through a program that has been recognized at the national level for its high quality.”
“We were very pleased to receive affirmation that Shepherd’s M.B.A. program received its initial accreditation from IACBE,” said Dr. Scott Beard, dean of graduate studies. “The site team noted our developments in graduate culture, use of advisory councils, and connections to community Strategic Alliance Partners through the Martinsburg Center in its report.”
Shepherd’s IACBE membership will give students the opportunity to attend annual and regional meetings and participate in other events sponsored by the organization.
There are currently about 290 baccalaureate business administration students and about 120 enrolled in the M.B.A. program.
Corpus pointed out that the business administration department also offers required classes to students from other majors and classes at the Martinsburg Center. Future plans include increasing the number of online courses offered and adding more two-plus-two programs where students from area community colleges can easily transition to Shepherd.
“This accreditation helps us grow and helps us put these programs together,” Corpus said.
The IACBE accreditation extends to 2020, the maximum time period granted by the organization.
Listen to the interview with Dr. Kathleen Corpus and Dr. Ann Marie Legreid HERE.
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