When seeking a higher degree in accounting or business such as an online Master of Finance, it goes without saying that it is critical to choose an educational institution with accreditation by the AACSB and recognition by the U.S. Department of Education. Although it can be daunting to investigate online master’s degrees because several of these programs are still relatively new, the ones recognized by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business carry the marks of quality, distinction and high academic expectations.
Resource: 20 Best Online Master of Finance Degree Programs 2016
Well-Recognized Standards
Finally, students attending an accredited school can enjoy peace of mind as this form of recognition is one of the most rigorous and selective types of evaluation for business schools. Since 1919, the organization has recognized a select number of business schools, and there are currently 777 accredited business schools in 52 countries. Students may find many accredited general MBA and finance degrees, as well as a number of specialized programs, including an online MBA in health services management or an online Master of Financial Engineering. In addition, the organization evaluates business degrees and analyzes every aspect of an institution’s program, including academic research quality, global awareness, institutional development, student learning, curriculum and teaching. The extensive process take approximately two years, and members must apply for recognition. If accepted, a school must develop a plan to align with the organization’s high academic standards before embarking on a process of on-site evaluation and self-investigation. The school is reviewed every five years to maintain the recognition.
Reputation Value
Accredited online MBA and Master of Finance degree programs offer high-caliber academics that lead to lucrative job opportunities and reputable degrees. Bloomberg Businessweek indicates that, although 12,000 schools across the globe offer business and finance degrees, fewer than 10 percent are accredited by the organization. The organization notes that many of the top global companies recruit only from schools recognized by them, and graduates with online or traditional master’s degrees from these accredited programs receive more competitive salaries.
Experienced Faculty
Becoming accredited allows educational institutions to hire and retain top researchers and professors, and these online programs recruit more students with higher levels of education and better GPAs compared with schools without recognition. Although employers and students may worry that an online Master of Finance degree will not equal a traditional school, students can rest assured that they are still held to the same rigorous standards as those pursuing an on-campus degree, and faculty members are highly experienced and train in their respective fields.
Quality Academics
While all legitimate institutions in the U.S. must be accredited, the difference between schools with standard recognition and those that are accredited by the organization is that the latter have taken an additional step to pursue a second, specialized recognition which applies only to the business management programs. In other words, AACSB-accredited schools have submitted to two evaluations, and some institutions acknowledge that recognition by the organization has significantly improved the quality of their business or finance degree programs.
Students wishing to pursue an advanced degree in finance or business should consider an accredited program before making a decision on an educational institution. Although all high-quality online Master of Finance programs should be accredited from a higher organization, students achieving an online Master of Finance from an accredited school with accreditation by the AACSB will benefit from a degree program that is of excellent academic caliber, rigorously evaluated and one of the most desirable types of finance education available.
