Program Assessment and Accreditation, with Particular Reference to Business Schools

• Activity Number: 167
• Type: Topic Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, August 2, 2010 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Business and Economic Statistics Section
• Author(s): J. Keith Ord*+ and Robert Carver*+ and Amy Phelps*+
• Companies: Georgetown University and Stonehill College and Duquesne University
• Keywords: Accreditation ; Assessment ; AACSB ; Business Schools

Abstract

Assessment is an important issue for the academic world at both for individual programs and for institutions as a whole. Extensive assessment procedures form an integral part of accreditation processes by professional and academic organizations. The panel will consider the requirements of the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) by way of example, although discussion of other accrediting groups is also encouraged. After a brief overview of current AACSB requirements, the panel will address the following questions: (1) How do we encourage sound statistical practice into assessment procedures? (2) Should statisticians be taking the lead in these assessment exercises? (3) How can effective assessment be sustained beyond an accreditation exercise? Adequate time will be provided for floor discussion. [Organized by the Statistics in Business Schools Interest Group]