The Importance of Accreditation

Accredited or Non-Accredited
>>> The Importance of Accreditation <<<
" That is the Question "
By Habib Al Souleiman

Each year, millions of people are asking the same question "WHAT AFTER A HIGH SCHOOL?", I remember 7 years ago when I finished my High School, I didn’t know what I would do next...
“What are the downsides of Non-Accredited”???
The first time I heard the words non-accredited was 7 years ago. I didn’t understand what it meant – until much later and when it was nearly too late! When it dawned on me finally what "Non-Accredited" meant, I had actually already signed-up at such a school. You may ask why? I did this because it was very easy to register (some of my marks were not too good), relatively cheap and of relatively short duration. But the main reason why I signed-up was, because of the slick school official that "sold" me the program - he was a very convincing sales man indeed. Only by chance, I met an alumni of the school one week before commencement, who told me his story and what non–accredited meant to him then and what pains he was suffering because of this.

In short, if you study at a non-accredited school or "university", you might not be able to:

• find a good job (because they do not recognize your degree)
• continue your studies at a reputable university (see comment above)
• you may have difficulties to find work in other countries (see comment above)

In addition, you may suffer ridicule from your working colleagues and friends and in some countries you may even contravene the law if you use a university title that is not genuine. On the really bad side - you may achieve a leading management position and then the word gets out about your education – just read the newspapers on how many top managers had to resign last year because of such matters. Also think of the money and years you may have wasted in pursuing a non–accredited degree - that will not help you in the future.

Needless to say – I managed to get out of my contract with he help of a lawyer and a kind newspaper man who published a story about the school. And, I have just completed my study – needless to say - at a good and accredited university.

Take my advice and read the information below – you won't regret it!

Steps to follow when looking for a higher education:

• First, you should know what you want to be, Doctor, Lawyer, Manager…
• After you have decided that, think in which filed you want to be,
• Then comes the most difficult question, where to study?

It’s not enough to choose the right country, even in highly ranked countries like Switzerland, UK and USA you can find non-accredited Universities.

And - if you want more details about the above read on……..
“Accredited or Non-Accredited Degree?”
Benefits to students and graduates pursuing an accredited education

By enrolling in an externally accredited institution, as opposed to others that are not equally certified, or worse only self-certified, students can feel confident that they are being properly prepared for the business world of the twenty-first century. Equally important is the fact that students studying in an accredited institution are eligible for transfer considerations to other equivalently accredited Universities and Colleges.

Further, when applying for government or large company employment, graduates from non-accredited institutions may be excluded from the application process. To make maters worse, when applying for immigration or working permission consideration to certain countries, the educational credits from unaccredited institution may not be counted, thus loosing important points needed to qualify for emigration or working permission in that country.
Why you should only study an accredited Bachelor, Master or MBA degree?
Accreditation is an external status granted to an educational institution or program that has been found to meet or exceed stated standards of educational quality.

It is awarded based on an intensive multi-year process, both of internal self-study by faculty, administration and associated stakeholders on the one side; and students, alumni and industry stakeholders on the other. In this study, the institution must demonstrate continuous improvements in learning outcomes over minimum three or more years and it is culminated by a rigorous and extensive external peer-review process and audit by business stakeholders and experts from higher education. The entire process is designed to measure and validate the quality of the educational program the learning experience- and learning outcomes offered to students.

There’s a lot of literature available online about higher education accreditation standards and students do well to read as much as possible about these before undertaking their studies. This to ensure, that they are not falling into the trap of a degree mill.

Prospective students are cautioned, that degree mills often spin a web of deceit, making the appearance of being “internationally accredited” by fellow institutions, that after some diligent research in the net turn out to be owned by the same organization. Or, are “accredited” by dubious privately owned accreditation organizations, that front groups of unaccredited schools, designed to make the appearance of being accreditation-granting bodies. Be warned, many of these schools are woefully underfinanced, offer only no-refund contracts to their students, making it near impossible for students to recover already paid fees when they realize that they have been falling prey to a degree mill.

Signs that indicate a degree mill are often born out by the fact that they are lacking typical campus facilities like libraries, dedicated teaching laboratories and other services expected from a school. They are often located in business- or trade centre sharing facilities with other businesses, or in office buildings were they rent just a few rooms, or for hotel schools, are located in small run-down hotels, often also in remote locations. Many times they are “Mamma and Papa” outfits, lacking a proper management set-up, have only a minimum of (often unskilled) administrative staff and part-time “faculty” with dubious academic qualifications from even more dubious or even unknown institutions. To this has to be said: A good school will be proud to give information of the quality and valid qualifications of their faculty; and that includes that they have relevant degrees, in relation of what they teach and they publish the name of the university from which they obtained their qualifications. Beware also of schools that have faculty that sport “industry only” experience, without accredited complimentary academic credentials.

To help prospective students wanting to study for in a school that offers a British or US degree we list below some key information that will ensure that “bad surprises” are kept to a minimum.
Regional Accreditation in the USA
Regional accreditation means that an institution has been accredited by an agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). In short, make sure that the institution offering a BA, Master or MBA program is accredited by one of the following six regional accreditation agencies:

• MSA: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Higher Education
• NASC: Northwest Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities Commission on Colleges and Universities
• NCA: North Central Association of Schools and Colleges, The Higher Learning Commission
• NEASC: New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
• SACS: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
• WASC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities

Professional Accreditation USA

In addition to regional accreditation, there are three professional accrediting bodies:

• The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) at www.aacsb.edu
• The International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) at www.iacbe.org
• The Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) at http://acbsp.org

A word of caution: Beware, that a number of private schools located in countries outside the USA and holding or IACBE and ACBSP accreditation are awarding degrees. However such degrees may not be recognized in these countries because that country has not granted “National” accreditation to that school. As a matter of fact, these schools take advantage of a legal grey zone and have circumvented the need to obtain “National” accreditation in that country. They are in this way creating the dishonest appearance to students that they are accredited. Consequently, degrees awarded by these schools are not recognized, nor accepted by those countries and the use of the awards like BA, MSc and MBA may be illegal and punishable by law. As a consequence, these awards may also not be accepted by some governments, large companies and may be ineligible for points under emigration requirements.

However, if a regionally accredited US university gives and awards their US degree in a private school in a foreign country, the degree (at least in continental Europe) is considered valid and the award may be used.
Membership vs. Accreditation
Don’t confuse the term “Membership” with accreditation status. An institution can say they that are a “member” of AACSB, IACBE and/or ACBSP and not be accredited by any of these professional accrediting bodies. The AACSB, IACBE and ACBSP list both accredited and members-only institutions accordingly on their websites.
Accreditation of Universities and Higher Educational Institutions in the UK
Bona fide universities in the UK are created in the following ways:-

• By Royal Charter – on the Recommendation of the Privy Council
• By an Act of Parliament – on the recommendation of the Privy Council
• By Registration as a Company Limited by Guarantee – which is approved by the Privy Council
• By Registration as a Private or Public Limited Company with Share Capital – which is approved by the Privy Council

Other Publicly Funded Educational Institutions and Listed Bodies
There are many other publicly funded higher educational colleges and institutions that are regulated by the Privy Council. They may not have degree awarding powers, but they can establish a partnership arrangement with a UK university to deliver courses that will lead to degree(s) awarded by the partner UK university. These institutions that have partnership arrangements with university degree awards are known as LISTED BODIES. Listed Bodies status is not restricted to publicly funded institutions. Private colleges that have degree awarding arrangements with UK degree awarding institutions are also classified as a LISTED BODIES.

In closing, before students sign-up at any school they should research their choice thoroughly. Ask to talk to existing students and alumni at their working place and ask if the diploma/degree is granted by national government, or the above mentioned accreditation agencies.
Alas, even with all the above information easily available, many students still get caught every year in the webs that fraudulent schools are spinning. The caution of “Buyer Beware” cannot be told enough to prospective students.
Recommended School http://www.bhms.ch/

The Open University

Distance learning courses taught in English leading to British Bachelor (BA/BSc) and Masters (MA/MSc/MEd/MBA) degrees. Study an individual course or combine courses to obtain a qualification. Please contact us for details of Information Events or to obtain a prospectus.

Read More at Top Accredited MBA programs in Switzerland

The Open University Business School

Study for an MBA with the leaders in distance learning.  The Open University Business School has triple international accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA)


Read More at Top Accredited MBA programs in Switzerland

Kalaiodos University

Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, one of only eight such universities accredited by the Swiss Federal Council. Our students and corporate partners benefit from our hybrid role as the only UAS organized according to private law, which allows us to award nationally and internationally recognized and protected degrees while maintaining a high degree of flexibility and customer focus. With currently three undergraduate and twelve graduate degree programs in the field of business and management, we are one of Switzerland's most successful business schools.

Read More at Top Accredited MBA programs in Switzerland

University of London - Study in Switzerland for a University of London Degree

Invest in yourself, Realise your ambitions, Immerse yourself in a subject you love. Find out how you can do all the above, and at the same time, achieve an internationally-recognized qualification by distance learning.
A wide range of courses are available at undergraduate and postgraduate levels including Health, International management, law, English literature, Philosophy and European literature, Sustainable Development, Environmental Management and Poverty Reduction.

Read More at Top Accredited MBA programs in Switzerland

Webster University - Geneva

Established in 1915 in St.Louis, Missouri, and active in Geneva since 1978, Webster is a non-profit, American-accredited university, with campuses in Europe, USA & Asia. The Geneva campus has 600 students from over 90 nationalities and offers Graduate & Undergraduate degrees:
* Undergraduate:
 o Business & Management
 o Computer Science
 o International Relations
 o Media Communications
 o Psychology
* Graduate:
 o MBA
 o Management & Leadership
 o HR Management
 o International Relations
 o International NGOs
 o Counseling
 o Media Communications
 o Domaine de la santi

Read More at Top Accredited MBA programs in Switzerland

International EMBA Program by ZHAW School of Management and Law

The International Executive MBA is an intensive, generalist, two-year, part-time leadership and management program. It builds on a foundation of advanced general management skills and emphasizes three core competencies: global leadership and relationship management, international business, and business ethics and corporate responsibility.
Foundations
Participants are expected to bring a basic knowledge of general management and law to the program. Participants who fail to meet the expectations will obtain a preparation package to acquire the basic knowledge in self-study.
Building on the basic knowledge, the participants will practice during the advanced general management module how to systematically and effectively apply general management and law tools and concepts.

Based on the firm foundation of advanced general management skills the participants will acquire key competences in three main areas.

Core competence 1:

• Leadership and Decision Making
  The innovative organizational leadership methodology combines the tried and tested approach used by the Swiss Army, many cantonal police forces and civilian crisis management groups with established business concepts and tools.
• Organizational Behavior and Global Relationship Management
  This module teaches the participants to understand why individuals and groups within an organization behave in a certain way, to assess the influence of cultural and demographic diversity in groups and solve associated problems, to understand the Customer Relationship Process and proactively build and maintain customer relationships and how to network effectively across borders.

Core competence 2:

• International Business Environment
  The participants will receive an introduction to certain aspects of international trade and investment, of competitiveness and business systems, and of cultures and civilizations, with a particular focus on emerging markets.
• Strategy and Internationalization
  The students will learn how to analyse the strategic position and recognize international opportunities and threats of a firm, how to develop international strategies and design the necessary organizational structures and processes, how to access and select target markets in line with the firm’s overall international strategy and how to recognize international drivers.
• Value Chain Internationalization and Risk Management
  The participants will analyse the effect of international operations on the value chain of a firm before planning and implementing functional strategies and measures.

Core competence 3:
Business Ethics and Corporate Responsibility
In this module the introduction to the Winterthur Model of Corporate Responsibility will take place. This is a coherent, holistic framework that will enable the operator to recognize and evaluate questions of business ethics and corporate responsibility, encompassing more than just social responsibility.
Integration
Various integration events, such as the kick-off seminar in the beginning, study trips, case studies and group studies during the program as much as the week-long international Business Simulation at the end of the course ensure, that the participants are forced to apply the knowledge and practice their skills which they have acquired during the various stages of the program.

The culmination of the academic part of the program is the writing of the EMBA Thesis. The author of the thesis must solve complex real-world business problems, understand scientific and academic thought and work and apply this to business issues.

Read More at Top Accredited MBA programs in Switzerland

Doing an MBA in Switzerland

 

Over the past decade, Switzerland has attracted an impressive roll call of European corporate headquarters: Yahoo, Procter & Gamble, McDonald’s, Nissan and Starbucks, to name but a few. In 2010, Switzerland also benefited from the UK’s decision to impose a bonus tax on finance professionals, with hedge funds such as Brevan Howard Asset Management and BlueCrest Capital Management responding by opening large offices in Geneva. So, what does this influx of international headquarters mean for someone contemplating an MBA course in Switzerland? David Williams of QS TopMBA.com investigates.

By David Williams

“Any professional who is good and who has very good experience or skills, has great opportunities in Switzerland at the moment,” says Alessandro Fonzi, an MBA graduate of the IMD in Lausanne. Originally from Italy, Fonzi is now a senior vice-president with private bank Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch in Zurich. 

Call of the Alps

But what is the attraction of the small mountainous country to companies from all over the world?

It comes down to a confluence of positive factors, but fundamentally, it is Switzerland’s liberal taxation policies, which – despite the country’s location at the heart of Europe – are not constrained by EU membership. The transport infrastructure is superb and the quality of life extremely high, with Geneva and Zurich consistently ranking as some of the best cities in the world in which to live. Its education system is very well regarded, plus a long tradition of language learning means any company wishing to set up its headquarters in the country can expect to find a skilled, multilingual workforce. 

What’s more, the economy and the banking sector in particular, have weathered the downturn very well. A conservative, save-before-you-spend culture means Switzerland is less indebted than other nations, while the country’s banking sector was less exposed to toxic assets than many elsewhere.

“Switzerland has traditionally had a very resilient labour market and economy,” says Dr. Rob Straw, MBA director at the University of St. Gallen. “It is smaller, so there is more stability, and the economy has not been hit as hard here as it has been in other countries.”

The MBA jobs market

Not all the companies who have relocated to Switzerland are necessarily MBA recruiters, of course; and it seems that international MBA candidates are still more interested in the quality of the business schools in the country than in working in the country itself. “We ask our students why they choose IMD,” says Katty Ooms Suter, director of MBA Admissions and Career Services at IMD. “Switzerland as a factor doesn’t even make it in to the top 10.”

Nevertheless, the influx of multinationals is having an effect on the opportunities available to Swiss MBA-holders, if simply in terms of the quality of the networking available. Having so many corporate headquarters on your doorstep creates opportunities – whether in Switzerland or elsewhere in Europe – and facilitates both formal and informal interviewing.

“When I started my MBA at the International University in Geneva, my only goal was to re-orientate myself away from my philosophy degree,” says Dekin O’Sullivan, a French national who now works for the credit department of HSBC Private Bank Switzerland. “But once I went into the MBA, I discovered that finance was my favourite subject. And as it was senior local bankers giving us courses in finance, I was able to approach them and ask what the opportunities were. [Then] it was really very easy for me to get into banking here in Geneva.”

O’Sullivan attributes another factor to his success. He argues that the country’s American-style, easy-hire-easy-fire culture means that Swiss-based employers are more prepared to take risks on someone without a banking background, like him, than they would be under the less flexible regime of an EU country, where employers use experience to avoid the costs of making expensive hiring mistakes.

“There is certainly more employee turnover here,” confirms Oliver Ernst, a Swiss national who did his MBA at the Business School Lausanne, and who now works at Lloyds TSB International Private Banking. “This helps us stay competitive. At 4.5 per cent, the unemployment rate is much lower than everywhere else I know. Employment opportunities are plentiful in the 

dynamic Swiss economy.” Since Ernst took part in this interview, unemployment has dropped yet further, to around 3.7 per cent (as of June 2010).

Other factors affecting the ability to get a job in Switzerland include a visa programme, which has recently become more flexible. Katty Ooms-Suter of the IMD reports that since January 2010, a new law has been in place, granting graduates of Swiss institutions a six-month visa extension in order to seek employment. This, she says, puts Switzerland above the UK as the easiest place for non-Europeans to find a job.

“Of course every country tends to become more nationalistic during times of economic crisis,” argues Dr. Straw, MBA director of University of St. Gallen, “yet Switzerland realises that without its dependency on highly trained expats, it is too small to be able to grow its economy. We do have a prioritisation issue with EU citizens, but we are not having any difficulty with placing non-EU candidates.”

One significant characteristic of the Swiss job-market worth noting is that multilingualism is the norm. It is taken for granted that candidates will be proficient in a number of European languages: so much so, there are anecdotal reports that the quality of an applicant’s accent can become a relevant factor.

The MBA experience

The opportunity to network doesn’t only affect job seekers. It is also changing the student experience – both educationally and socially.

“The quality of the guest speakers we can attract is amazing, simply because of all the multinational headquarters in the area,” says Dr. Katrin Muff, dean of the Business School Lausanne. “Students love this, of course, and appreciate both the networking opportunities and the practical knowledge and experience the guest speakers are able to bring in with them.”

“There is a strong international community here,” adds O’Sullivan, “and this is making it very easy to network because it is a small place. Bonds are created much more easily [in Geneva] than they would be in a big city with millions of people.

Read More at Top Accredited MBA programs in Switzerland