Missouri University of Science and Technology has earned initial accreditation of its business and information technology degree programs by the longest-serving global accrediting body for business and accounting programs.

Missouri S&T’s bachelor of science in business and management systems, bachelor of science in information science and technology, master of business administration and master of science in information science and technology degree programs all received accreditation from the Board of Directors of AACSB International – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Founded in 1916, AACSB International provides accreditation to programs that satisfy 21 quality standards relating to faculty qualification, strategic management of resources, interactions of faculty and students, and a commitment to continuous improvement and achievement of learning goals in degree programs.

“This is tremendous news for our university and our business and information technology department,” says Missouri S&T Chancellor Cheryl B. Schrader. “So many of our faculty, staff, alumni, students and partners have worked very hard to achieve this international distinction, and I’m very proud to congratulate everyone on this extraordinary accomplishment.”

“Our departmental emphasis on preparing students for business and innovation in a technology-driven world makes our program distinctive. Now, we also have the AACSB International’s seal of approval that lets the world know we adhere to the most rigorous standards of quality,” says Dr. Keng L. Siau, chair of the business and information technology department. “I’m very proud of the work of our faculty and staff, and most importantly the achievements of our students, in meeting AACSB International’s standard of excellence for business education.”

In achieving this designation, Missouri S&T joins an elite group of institutions that have achieved business accreditation from AACSB International. Only 655 institutions hold AACSB accreditation for business – or fewer than 5 percent worldwide.

During the accreditation process, Missouri S&T was visited and evaluated by business school deans, other business educators and corporate representatives who have detailed knowledge of management education and applied widely accepted accreditation standards to their evaluation of S&T’s programs.

Missouri S&T’s business program was established in 2001. The department of business and information technology offers a bachelor of science degree in business and management systems, a bachelor of science degree in information science and technology, a master of business administration degree and a master of science degree in information science and technology. The department also offers several graduate certificate programs, including enterprise resource planning, human-computer interaction, project management, business intelligence, psychology of leadership and sustainable business.