Help pls, how important is AACSB MBA if I don't plan to teach

Redlyne Racer,

Are you referring to job interviews for college teaching positions or positions in business?

Cy

 

Originally posted by Gary Rients:
For some reason I was curious enough about this to send a quick email to the Illinois Board of Examiners. Their response does not agree with what Greg was told over the phone. Here's my email, along with their response (actually the 2nd of each, since in their first response they just asked me to send in my transcripts for evaluation):


Gary
......
Yes, credits from any accredited school would be accepted as long as they are not duplicates of anything you have already taken.

Board of Examiners
.......


Now this is starting to make sense. In particular, it squares with the alternative (fourth) condition set forth on the IBE web site (which I previously overlooked):

"4) Earned a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited educational institution or other institution recognized by the Board, including at least 24 semester hours of accounting at the undergraduate and/or graduate level with at least one course each in financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting and at least 24 semester hours in business courses or substantially equivalent (other than accounting) courses at the undergraduate or graduate level."

 

I am referring to anyone, anywhere, in any context. Your mileage may vary.

 

THANK YOU ALL....

Thank you all for your plethora of information. I'm still not 100% sure, AACSB, or only RA. I am leaning toward going with a AACSB because I know it's the highest accreditation a B-school could have, and the higher educational standards, etc. I actually applied to the University of Texas online MBA program, (not UT Austin McCombs, they don't have an online program), but there are 8 participating schools through the UT system that contribute to the MBA online. 6 of the schools are accredited by AACSB, and the other 2 are candidates. You pick one school to apply to as your home school, and I applied to the University of Texas, Tyler, which is accredited by AACSB. The tuition is very affordable too, but there is one problem, they don't have any concentrations, it's just general management. I'm really interested in a concentration in finance and/or ops. management. The other good thing about UT-Tyler, is that you can apply and get conditional acceptance, and take up to 4 classes before submitting your GMAT scores. So I can actually start this Sept, and still have time to study for the GMAT.

I'm still in the process of looking into other schools with the concentration I want...but a lot of the other AACSB schools with those concentrations are really expensive, or have a lot of pre-reqs which I'm trying to avoid (UT doesn't), and I most likely have to submit my GMAT scores before starting the program. I haven't studied for it all yet either. I just ordered the Bears guide to online MBAs, hopefully I can find more AACSB schools at an

-affordable price,
-little to no pre-reqs (unless they are online and part of the program)
-my concentrations

any ideas for my situation? I was also thinking about doing the MBA with UT-TYler, and later getting a certificate in finance or something. But I'd really rather have a concentration in it part of the MBA. Thanks again for everyones input, I appreciate it!

 

THANK YOU ALL....

Thank you all for your plethora of information. I'm still not 100% sure, AACSB, or only RA. I am leaning toward going with a AACSB because I know it's the highest accreditation a B-school could have, and the higher educational standards, etc. I actually applied to the University of Texas online MBA program, (not UT Austin McCombs, they don't have an online program), but there are 8 participating schools through the UT system that contribute to the MBA online. 6 of the schools are accredited by AACSB, and the other 2 are candidates. You pick one school to apply to as your home school, and I applied to the University of Texas, Tyler, which is accredited by AACSB. The tuition is very affordable too, but there is one problem, they don't have any concentrations, it's just general management. I'm really interested in a concentration in finance and/or ops. management. The other good thing about UT-Tyler, is that you can apply and get conditional acceptance, and take up to 4 classes before submitting your GMAT scores. So I can actually start this Sept, and still have time to study for the GMAT.

I'm still in the process of looking into other schools with the concentration I want...but a lot of the other AACSB schools with those concentrations are really expensive, or have a lot of pre-reqs which I'm trying to avoid (UT doesn't), and I most likely have to submit my GMAT scores before starting the program. I haven't studied for it all yet either. I just ordered the Bears guide to online MBAs, hopefully I can find more AACSB schools at an

-affordable price,
-little to no pre-reqs (unless they are online and part of the program)
-my concentrations

any ideas for my situation? I was also thinking about doing the MBA with UT-TYler, and later getting a certificate in finance or something. But I'd really rather have a concentration in it part of the MBA. Thanks again for everyones input, I appreciate it!

 

Of course there are exceptions to every rule:

Florida A&M University is a State run school.

http://www.famu.edu/acad/colleges/sbi/sbihome.htm


Not AACSB accredited nor a candidate:

http://www.aacsb.edu/General/InstLists.asp?lid=2

http://www.aacsb.edu/General/InstLists.asp?lid=8


THE TWO-YEAR MBA

Minimum Standards for Admission

GMAT score 600

Grade point average 3.0 (Based on last 60 hours)


http://www.famu.edu/acad/colleges/sbi/sbiartic.htm


"Yet so great is demand for promising young African Americans that many companies treat an MBA from FAMU as if it were from one of America's highly ranked schools. Progressive Corp., a Cleveland-based insurance company with 14,000 employees, recruits MBAs from only eight schools: Harvard, Wharton (University of Pennsylvania), Kellogg (Northwestern), Tuck (Dartmouth), the University of Chicago, the University of Michigan, Case Western (the company's hometown school)--and FAMU."

 

If you are a Florida resident .. there are two Online AACSB MBA choices

www.fau.edu
www.fgcu.edu both are <$10K

Unfortunately i wont qualify for in-state tuition as i moved here less than a year ago.

 

Other affordable AACSB Universities

I am not sure if these would offer the concentrations you are looking for but both University of Wyoming (very inexpensive) and Washington State have a variety of degree programs that may work and they both are AACSB. Regards, Dennis

 

There is nothing in Utah state statute that makes it easier to write CPA exam from AACSB accredited school than a non AACSB accredited school. I guess it all depends on how one looks at it and sometimes, people are selective in their understanding. They understand only what they want to understand. I have never seen a state that requires graduation from AACSB school as the sole condition for writing CPA exam. If any one knows of a state, please post it here.

I think people should do what makes them comfortable. If they need AACSB school, go for it and if they need RA schol, go for it. What I find troubling in this and other forums are people trying to convince others their way is the only way or the best way. In some cases, backed up with stories of how they were denied jobs or other benefits dues to one reason or the other. While some of these stories may be true, often the employer does not want to hire the person in the first place.

Here is Utah's requirement for writing CPA.

R156-26a-302a. Qualifications for CPA Licensure - Education Requirements.
The education requirements for CPA licensure in Subsection 58-26a-302(1)(d) are defined, clarified, or established as follows:
(1) An applicant shall submit transcripts showing completion of course work consisting of a minimum of 150 semester hours (225 quarter hours) as follows:
(a) a graduate or undergraduate program within an institution whose business or accounting education program is accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), or the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), from which the applicant received one of the following:
(i) a graduate degree in accounting;
(ii) a graduate degree in business including not less than:
(A) 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in upper division accounting courses covering the subjects of financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting; or
(B) 15 semester hours (23 quarter hours) graduate level accounting courses covering the subjects of financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting; or
(C) an equivalent combination of graduate and upper division accounting courses covering the subjects of financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting with one hour of graduate level course work being equivalent to 1.6 hours of upper division course work; or
(iii) a baccalaureate degree in business or accounting and 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) beyond the requirements for a baccalaureate degree which includes not less than:
(A) 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) in upper division accounting courses, which when combined with the accounting courses listed in Subsection (B) below, have at least one course with a minimum of two semester hours (three quarter hours) each covering the subjects of financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting;
(B) eight semester hours (12 quarter hours) in graduate level accounting courses, which when combined with the accounting courses listed in Subsection (A) above, have at least one course each covering the subjects of financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting;
(C) 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours) in upper division non-accounting business courses;
(D) 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours) in graduate level business or accounting courses; and
(E) 10 semester hours (15 quarter hours) of either graduate or upper division accounting or business courses.

(b) a graduate or undergraduate program from an institution accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Colleges, or the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, or an equivalent accrediting institution from which the applicant received a baccalaureate or graduate degree with not less than:
(i) 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in business or related courses providing a minimum of two semester hours (three quarter hours) in each of the following subjects:

(A) business law;
(B) computers;
(C) economics;
(D) ethics;
(E) finance;
(F) statistics and quantitative methods;
(G) written and oral communications; and
(H) business administration such as marketing, production, management, policy or organizational behavior;
(ii) 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in upper division accounting courses with a minimum of two semester hours (three quarter hours) in each of the following subjects:
(A) auditing;
(B) finance;
(C) managerial or cost;
(D) systems; and
(E) taxes; and
(iii) 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) beyond the requirements for a baccalaureate degree of additional business related course work including not less than:
(A) eight semester hours (12 quarter hours) in graduate accounting courses;
(B) 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours) in graduate accounting or graduate business courses; and
(C) 10 semester hours (15 quarter hours) of additional business related hours shall be taken in upper division undergraduate or graduate level courses.
(2) The division in collaboration with the board or the education subcommittee of the board may make a written finding for cause that a particular accredited institution or program is not acceptable.
(3) The Division in collaboration with the board or the education subcommittee of the board may accept education of a person who holds a license as a certified public accountant or equivalent designation in a foreign country, if the applicant has obtained from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) verification of compliance with the terms of an agreement for reciprocal licensure between the foreign country and the International Qualifications Appraisal Board of NASBA, which agreement provides the applicant's examinations, education and experience is determined to be substantially equivalent to the 1994 Uniform Accountancy Act licensure requirements or a version of the Uniform Accountancy Act having substantially equivalent requirements.

R156-26a-302b. Qualifications for Licensure - Experience Requirements.
In accordance with Subsections 58-1-203(7) and 58-1-301(3), the experience requirements for licensure in Section 58-26a-302 are clarified, or supplemented as follows:
(1) The Division in collaboration with the board may accept experience of a person who holds a license as a certified public accountant or equivalent designation in a foreign country, if the applicant has obtained from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) verification of compliance with the terms of an agreement for reciprocal licensure between the foreign country and the International Qualifications Appraisal Board of NASBA, which agreement provides the applicant's examinations, education and experience is determined to be substantially equivalent to the 1994 Uniform Accountancy Act licensure requirements or a version of the Uniform Accountancy Act having substantially equivalent requirements.

R156-26a-302d. Qualifications for Licensure - Examinations.
(1) The Division in collaboration with the board may accept testing of a person who holds a license as a certified public accountant or equivalent designation in a foreign country, if the applicant has obtained from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) verification of compliance with the terms of an agreement for reciprocal licensure between the foreign country and the International Qualifications Appraisal Board of NASBA, which agreement provides the applicant's examinations, education and experience is determined to be substantially equivalent to the 1994 Uniform Accountancy Act licensure requirements or a version of the Uniform Accountancy Act having substantially equivalent requirements.


KEY: accountants, licensing, peer review
Effective July 3, 2002 58-26a-101
Notice of Continuation April 15, 2002 58-1-106(1)
58-1-202(1)







CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
LICENSING ACT RULES

















R156-26a
Utah Administrative Code
Issued July 3, 2002

 

Not a state exactly but........GUAM:

1. Do you have a Master’s degree in Accounting recognized by
the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business?

1.1 If no, go to item 2.

1.2 If yes, you meet Guam’s educational standards.

2. Do you have a Master’s degree in Business Administration recognized by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business?

2.1 If no, go to item 3.

2.2 If yes, you must fill out item A (Accounting semester hours)
using transcripts from a college or university accredited by one of
the six regional accrediting agencies and/or the FACS evaluation.

3. Do you have transcripts from a college or university listing a
Bachelor’s degree accredited by one of the six regional
accrediting agencies and/or the FACS evaluation?

3.1 If no, you do not qualify.

3.2 If yes, go to Item 4.

4. Do you have transcripts from a college or university listing a
Bachelor’s degree and accredited by one of the six regional
accrediting agencies and/or the FACS evaluation?

4.1 If no, you do not qualify and must have a bachelor’s degree.

4.2 If yes, you must fill out items A (Accounting semester hours and B (Business semester hours).

4.2.1 Do you meet the standards of items A and B?

4.2.2 If no, you do not qualify and must have the semester hours
required by items A & B.

4.2.3 If yes, you meet Guam’s educational standard.


Sooooo, an MBA or MAcc is insufficient unless the degree is from an AACSB accredited program. A bachelor's degree from any RA institution will suffice but only if the holder of the degree has the requisite hours in accounting and business.

In short, unless I'm reading this wrong, applicants who have not taken the requisite accounting and business courses at the undergrad level will not be able to "cure" this deficiency by earning an MBA or MAcc that is not from an AACSB accredited school.

 

This is very close to Utah. If you have a Masters of Accounting degree from an AACSB or ACBSP accredited institution, you are in. With an MBA accredited by either body you are in as well, as long as you satisfy accounting prerequisites. RA only, and you have to go through a long list to qualify.

An example. A person earns an undergrad degree, either in business or another field. This person then earns an MACC or MPACC or equivalent degree from an AACSB (or acbsp) accredited school. Can this person sit the CPA exam?
YES!!

Another example. A person earns an undergrad degree, either in business or another field. This person then earns an MBA from an AACSB (or acbsp) accredited school. Can this person sit for the CPA exam?
Yes* If they satisfy the required accounting courses.

And another example. A person earns an undergrad degree, either in business or another field. This person then earns an MACC (or equivalent) or an MBA from a school that is not AACSB (or acbsp) accredited. Can this person sit for the CPA exam?
Yes** As long as they can show proof of satisfying all the individual courses that the state requires.

NOPE!! AACSB accreditation doesn't mean anything at all.

Tony

 

Re: Other affordable AACSB Universities

Washington State's degree is Masters in Engineering Management which is offered through Distance learning. I am not sure if its offered by Business school.

 

Homer,

According to Utah, even a degree from AACSB still has to meet a list of courses as well as a degree from non AACSB as shown above. I have not had the time to look at Guam requirements and I probably won't since I am not an accountant and don't plan to be one. I dove into this discusion just to argue the opposite about AACSB. I am not against it. If some one feesl they have to pay more for it. Good. It depends on individual preference. Nothing makes it easier. I have never seen a job announcement that requires AACSB accreditation only CPA requirements and reginal accreditation and yes even for teaching.

Instead I have seen too many people graduate from non AACSB schools working in some of the most desirable place of employment inlcuding big five accounting firms to question whether some of these additional accreditation are worth it or are just marketing. Sometimes, HR are given too many credits they do not deserve. While HR officially makes an offer, they are usually not the selecting official. Sometimes HR do not even understand these requirements or even accreditation.

Let's deviate a little bit. I am not sure I can find the link right now but I will try at a later date when I have the time. Last year I read a study by a Washington, DC think tank that question the value of Ivy League education. The study shows that after a certain number of years, those with ivy league degree earn on average 6% more money than non ivy league degree holders. The study tracked equal number of students from ivy league and non ivy league schools from 1974 through 2001. After analysis, it found an average of only 6% differential in favor of ivy league and in some professions, those with non ivy league degree actualy earned more. The study concluded that the prohibitive cost of ivy league education was not worth it.

Another study also found that grade at ivy league schools as inflated. I think this same argument holds for AACSB, IACBE or other optional alphabet soup accreditations.

I have repeatedly seen on this forum statement that claim you cannot teach in AACSB schools with degree from non AACSB school. That statement is wrong as well. If you are well accomplished in yur profession with a good work history and there is a need for your degree, you can teach any where as long as you hold properly accredited degree.

At the end of the day, it is the individual's ability to market himself or herself and perform not a list of alpabet optional accreditations.

Godwin

 

Good point. I completely agree.

Ike

 

Originally posted by oko:
I have repeatedly seen on this forum statement that claim you cannot teach in AACSB schools with degree from non AACSB school. That statement is wrong as well....

But read Kristie's posts. The statement is not universally wrong; at least one school requires that the degree be earned at an AACSB accredited school.

At the end of the day, it is the individual's ability to market himself or herself and perform not a list of alpabet optional accreditations.


I agree. The only proviso would be that, in certain instances, those "optional accreditations" (credentials or whatever) are necessary before you can even get in the door.

 

Tony,

The following scenario is what I find perplexing:

A person earns an undergrad degree in business and has satisfied the specific business course requirements. However, the person has not satisfied the accounting course requirements. Sometime later, in order to do so, the person attends a NON AACSB school and earns a MACC.

What have we got now (according to Guam)?

a) The person has not earned a Master's in Accounting from an AACSB school.

b) The person has not earned a Master's in Business Administration from an AACSB school and does not have the requisite accounting courses from an undergrad RA school.

c) The person does not have both the requisite accounting and business courses from an undergrad RA school.

Is this person hosed or what?

 

I also agree. Based on the information I used for my previous posting on Florida A&M University, it would appear to be a big mistake for an African-American to choose Florida Gulf Coast University (AACSB) vs FAMU (not and does not desire it) IMHO.

A few years ago I attended a meeting with a number of business people. Of the eight there two were confirmed millionaires and the others were doing very well. All self made business people.

I was the only one with a college degree!

 

Please tell me where I can find this thread, I am trying to understand your meaning regarding this post

 

Not a thread, just a single post about ten postings above this one.

Point? There are usually exceptions to every rule. While an MBA from an AACSB school may usually be the better route that is not always the case.

 

Here in NY the following are all well known schools that offer MBA's are as of April 2003 where listed as Canidates for AACSB:

Adelphi University
Ithaca College
St John's University
Siena College

Most people have hear of these schools, but here in NY they are well know. I am sure If I said I graduateed with an MBA from St John's no one would say "Are they AACSB accrediated"

I say that to say, I agree AACSB is not always the better route.