AACSB Business Accreditation Standards: Updates 2023

AACSB significantly updated its Business Accreditation Standards in 2020.  Since then it issues annual amendments and updates – usually on 1 July.

QED’s overview of the updates made as part of the 2023 publication, together with an assessment of the significance of the change can be found in this downloadable PDF file.

The updates reflect clarification and additional explanation. These should not provide any significant change for schools.

As always, QED recommends that all schools within an AACSB accreditation process (whether initial or renewal) should review and ensure they have understood the changes and clarifications – particularly to ensure the updates do not highlight any potential internal misunderstanding of AACSB principles and standards.

NB: QED’s material represents QED’s interpretation of the AACSB Updates.  We always recommend that you view the updated standards directly – which are available from AACSB’s website in the following formats: 

• Updated 2020 AACSB Business Accreditation Standards (clean copy)
• Updated 2020 AACSB Business Accreditation Standards (with tracked changes)
• Updated 2020 Interpretive Guidance for AACSB Business Accreditation Standards (clean copy)
• Updated 2020 Interpretive Guidance for AACSB Business Accreditation Standards (with tracked changes)
• AACSB Summary Table of Key Changes

As above, QED’s summary of the updates across the key documents is available in this downloadable PDF file.

For advice and further details on any of the above, please contact the QED Accreditation Team at info@QEDaccreditation.com.

AACSB Business Accreditation Standards: Updates 2022

AACSB significantly updated its Business Accreditation Standards in 2020.  Since then it issues annual amendments and updates – usually on 1 July.

QED’s overview of the updates made as part of the 2022 publication, together with an assessment of the significance of the change can be found in this downloadable PDF file.

Many of the updates reflect clarification and additional explanation. However, there are a small number of changes which could potentially impact schools (particularly those schools that are pre-eligibility). As always, QED recommends that all schools within an AACSB accreditation process (whether initial or renewal) should review and ensure they have understood the changes and clarifications.

NB: QED’s material represents QED’s interpretation of the AACSB Updates.  We always recommend that you view the updated standards directly – which are available from AACSB’s website in the following formats: 

• Updated 2020 AACSB Business Accreditation Standards (clean copy)
• Updated 2020 AACSB Business Accreditation Standards (with tracked changes)
• Updated 2020 Interpretive Guidance for AACSB Business Accreditation Standards (clean copy)
• Updated 2020 Interpretive Guidance for AACSB Business Accreditation Standards (with tracked changes)
• AACSB Summary Table of Key Changes

As above, QED’s summary of the updates across the key documents is available in this downloadable PDF file.

For advice and further details on any of the above, please contact the QED Accreditation Team at info@QEDaccreditation.com.

AACSB Business Accreditation Standards: Updates 2021

AACSB significantly updated its Business Accreditation Standards in 2020.  Over the past year, it has continued to consult and receive feedback on the new standards – from pilot schools, members and volunteers. It has now published its first set of amendments/updates (1 July 2021).

QED’s overview of the updates made as part of the 2021 publication, together with an assessment of the significance of the change can be found in this downloadable PDF file.

Whilst the vast majority of changes reflect clarification only,  there are a small number which could potentially impact schools.  Regardless, QED recommends that all schools within an AACSB accreditation process (whether initial or renewal) should review and ensure they have understood the changes and clarifications.

NB: QED’s material represents QED’s interpretation of the AACSB Updates.  We always recommend that you view the updated standards directly – which are available from AACSB’s website in the following formats:

• • Updated 2020 AACSB Business Accreditation Standards (clean copy)
  • Updated 2020 AACSB Business Accreditation Standards (with tracked changes)
  • Updated 2020 Interpretive Guidance for AACSB Business Accreditation Standards (clean copy)
  • Updated 2020 Interpretive Guidance for AACSB Business Accreditation Standards (with tracked changes)
  • AACSB Summary Table of Key Changes

As above, QED’s summary of the updates across the key documents is available in this downloadable PDF file.

For advice and further details on any of the above, please contact the QED Accreditation Team at info@QEDaccreditation.com.

AACSB: Transition Table for 2020 Business Accreditation Standards

AACSB’s  2020 Business Accreditation Standards were released at the end of July 2020.    The new standards represent a streamlined, principles-based framework and provide flexibility for the Business School of the future

The broad transition period for the 2020 Standards is outlined in the table below:

Any school that is currently in the initial accreditation process, and expects to have a peer review visit after July 2021 should consult with their AACSB Staff Liaison to discuss their preferred transition time.  Queries of a technical nature can be addressed to your AACSB Staff Liaison (for member schools), your mentor (for those in the process of initial accreditation) and/or your external advisor (such as QED).

For advice and further details on any of the above, please contact the QED Accreditation Team at info@QEDaccreditation.com.

AACSB: New 2020 Business Accreditation Standards released

As anticipated, July 28th 2020 saw the release of AACSB’s newly approved 2020 Business Accreditation Standards.  This has been the culmination of two years of dialogue and review.  The new standards represent a streamlined, principles-based framework and provide flexibility for the Business School of the future.

QED will be providing plenty of guidance (including a series of webinars planned for the Autumn) – but  – for now – what are the key things you need to know?

What is the key difference between the 2013 and the 2020 standards?
The 2020 standards have a principles based approach –  providing some flexibility for different types of business schools and the changing needs of business schools into the future. This gives more scope for business schools to adapt to the individual requirements of their School.

Is that not just another way of saying that the standards are ‘easier’?
No – absolutely not!  Many of the same standards and targets apply – but there has been a huge effort to streamline the standards (now 9 standards, instead of 15) and to ensure that a focus on principles means that Schools continue to align with the ‘spirit’ or ‘intention’ of each standard in a way that directly supports high quality practices and processes.

For Schools that are already ‘in the process’ or are accredited, what areas are important to flag as potential areas for change?
There are several key areas of change and QED would always recommend that the School makes space for staff to become familiar with these.  Areas to which particular attention might be paid include:

• Language changes: For example, students are referred to as ‘Learners’.  Instead of ‘learning goals’, the standards talk about ‘learning competencies’.  N.B. It is important to review the definitions provided by AACSB whenever relevant – as terminology and the meaning of words can vary internationally.
• More detailed guidance around collaborative provision partnerships – and whether the related programmes fall in-scope or out-of-scope (part of the AACSB philosophy in the prequel to the standards);
• New requirement (and standard) for ‘Engagement and Societal Impact’ (new Standard 9);
• More attention paid to risk planning, including a formal risk analysis;
• Faculty tables to be organised by ‘Discipline’ (not department or programme etc).  This is likely to be an easy transition for many schools, but potentially difficult for others….! It will highlight any short-comings in the academic underpinnings for individual subject areas within the School.  However, Schools have more flexibility in deployment of faculty, once the standard is met at the discipline level.
• AoL: Schools are encouraged (and expected) to have a combination of direct and indirect measures – depending on how best to assure learning for each competency within a programme.

When do the 2020 standards become effective?
AACSB has established a transition time frame and all Schools with an interest in AACSB accreditation or re-accreditation should be aware of this. The transition time frame uses the Peer Review Visit as the key ‘transition point’ and Schools will need to work backwards from there to establish the point of planning and transition within the School.

• 2020/21:  Only Schools with CIR visits that have been accepted onto the initial pilot phase will be accredited under the new standards between January and June 2021.
• 2021/22: Schools expecting Peer Review Visits between July 1 2021 and June 30 2022 can CHOOSE whether to be accredited under the 2013 standards or the 2020 standards
• 2022/23: Schools expecting Peer Review Visits between July 1 2022 and June 30 2023 can CHOOSE whether to be accredited under the 2013 standards or the 2020 standards.
• 2023/24 onwards: Any school expecting a Peer Review Visit from 1 July 2023 will be required to align with the 2020 Standards.

Any school that is currently in the initial accreditation process, and expects to have a peer review visit after July 2021 should consult with their AACSB Staff Liaison to discuss their preferred transition time

Where can I learn more about the new Standards?
The new standards and AACSB’s Interpretative Guidance document are good places to start.  All of the new documentation is available on AACSB’s website.  Of course, AACSB will be rolling out a comprehensive set of learning events, to support Schools’ transition to the new standards.  In addition, QED will be partnering with RimaOne in Autumn 2020 to provide a set of three free webinars, targeting key areas of focus within the new standards.  QED will also be providing in-school workshops and briefings (virtual events, and – when travel permits – on-site) – tailored to the specifications of each client.  For any information on QED webinars, briefings or workshops, please contact QED directly.

For advice and further details on any of the above, please contact the QED Accreditation Team at info@QEDaccreditation.com.