AACSB extends accreditation of Penn State Behrend's Black School of Business

ERIE, Pa. — AACSB International has extended its accreditation of the Black School of Business at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, through 2022.

Accreditation by AACSB — the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business — is the highest standard of achievement in business education. Just 5 percent of the world’s bachelor-level degree programs earn the distinction.

The Black School of Business is the only program in northwestern Pennsylvania to meet the standards of AACSB. The school was first accredited in 2003.

“AACSB is widely recognized as the hallmark of excellence in business education,” said Greg Filbeck, director of the Black School of Business. “The decision by AACSB to extend our accreditation affirms the commitment of our faculty, staff and corporate partners to provide the highest-quality graduate and undergraduate business programs.”

AACSB-accredited schools must demonstrate continuous improvement in all programs in order to maintain accreditation. Accreditors visit schools every five years to assess academic standards, the professional experience and intellectual contributions of faculty members, and the academic and career advising that is offered to students. They also survey the companies that hire graduates, asking how prepared those graduates were for their work.

“The intense peer-review process exemplifies the accredited school’s commitment to quality business education,” said Stephanie M. Bryant, executive vice president and chief accreditation officer of AACSB. “Every AACSB-accredited school has demonstrated a focus on excellence in all areas, including teaching, research, curricula development and student learning.”