For immediate release: April 8, 2010

BLOOMSBURG – Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania’s College of Business has maintained its accreditation by AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

BU’s College of Business, initially accredited in December 2004, is one of just 593 schools of business, or less than 5 percent worldwide, to earn AACSB accreditation. To maintain accreditation, a business program must undergo a rigorous internal review every five years and demonstrate a continued commitment to AACSB’s 21 quality standards.

“It takes a great deal of self-evaluation and determination to earn and maintain AACSB accreditation,” said Jerry Trapnell, chief accreditation officer of AACSB International. “Schools not only must meet specific standards of excellence, but their deans, faculty and staff must make a commitment to ongoing improvement to ensure continued delivery of high-quality education to students.”

A total of 1,635 students currently are enrolled in bachelor’s and master’s degree programs offered through BU’s College of Business. Undergraduate majors include accounting, business education, computer information systems, information and technology management, finance and legal studies, management information systems, marketing and management, with career concentrations in fraud examination, information assurance, international business and supply chain management. BU also offers programs leading to a master in business administration (MBA) and master of education in business education.

“The College of Business’ official mission statement underscores our commitment to preparing students whose knowledge, talents and skills are highly valued,” said Dennis Gehris, interim dean of BU’s College of Business. “Our initial AASCB accreditation and maintenance of our accreditation affirms that we are meeting our mission by providing the high-quality educational experience upon which our students will build their careers.”

Bloomsburg University’s achievement will be recognized later this month at the AACSB International Conference and Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif.

Accreditation by AACSB International, founded in 1916, is a voluntary, non-governmental review of educational institutions and programs. Institutional accreditation reviews entire colleges and universities, looking at factors including the quality of teaching and curriculum, faculty knowledge and students’ educational experience and outcomes. Institutions that earn accreditation confirm their commitment to quality and continuous improvement through a rigorous and comprehensive peer review. AACSB International is the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools that offer undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees in business and accounting.

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 9,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Education, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.