The business program offered at the Yuma branch campus of Northern Arizona University recently gained more prestige.
The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs Baccalaureate/Graduate Degree board of commissioners awarded NAU’s Yuma campus accreditation of its Bachelor of Business Administration program.
The accreditation certifies that the teaching and learning processes within the business program meet the rigorous educational standards established by the council.
Accreditation offers an additional level of status to the program, which is already under the university’s accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.
“Northern Arizona University has shown its commitment to teaching excellence and to the process of quality improvement by participating in the accreditation process,” said Steve Parscale, the council’s director of Accreditation. “This accreditation is evidence that Northern Arizona University is committed to providing the highest quality business education for their students.”
Alex Steenstra, NAU-Yuma Business department chair, and Dean Pielstick, faculty lead for compiling the accreditation report, are excited to see the success of their three years of preparation.
“The Bachelor of Business Administration program is on equal footing with other business programs and schools in the state,” Steenstra said. “Students and employers may be confident that the program’s curriculum is relevant and current. Graduates from the program will have acquired the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in business and make meaningful contributions.”
The accreditation will benefit students throughout Arizona, according to Larry Gould, NAU-Yuma campus executive officer and associate vice president.
“This awarding brings us one step closer to becoming Yuma’s university, as well as providing alternatives to students around the state who seek an accredited business program,” Gould said.
NAU-Yuma will be presented the Certificate of Initial Accreditation at the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs annual conference in Baltimore, Md., on June 17.
The council is a leading specialized accreditation association for business education supporting, celebrating and rewarding teaching excellence. Established in 1988, it is the only business accrediting organization for all associate, baccalaureate and graduate degree programs. Its mission is to promote continuous improvement and recognize excellence in the accreditation of business education programs around the world.