SBM Reaffirmed for IACBE Accreditation for 7 Years

Azusa Pacific University’s highly ranked School of Business and Management (SBM) has received reaffirmation for accreditation by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).

“Receiving IACBE accreditation provides great assurance to our students that we continually pursue excellence and self evaluation,” said Todd Pheifer, EdD, associate dean and director of accreditation, assessment, and grants in the SBM. “We received the maximum length of accreditation—seven years—which is confirmation of not only the exceptional work we’ve been doing, but also where we’re going.”

IACBE accreditation is mission-driven and outcomes-based. It involves an independent, external evaluation of the business programs offered by an institution’s academic business unit. The effectiveness of the program is evaluated based on nine principles: commitment to integrity, responsibility, and ethical behavior; quality assurance and advancement; strategic planning; business curricula and learning opportunities; business faculty characteristics, activities, and processes; policies, procedures, and processes; external relationships; and innovation in business education.

“We received the gold standard level of accreditation. When IACBE conducted interviews with employers who have hired our graduates, they received stellar reviews about our programs, commending our innovation and creativity,” said Roxanne Helm-Stevens, DBA, interim dean of the SBM. “Our students benefit from our phenomenal faculty team. They’re so dedicated to our mission. They go out of their way to connect with, help, mentor, and pour into our students.”

Graduates from the SBM are currently working in high-level positions at top global companies including all of the “Big Four” accounting firms, Google, NASA, JPL, UPS, Travelers, Target, Kaiser, IEHP, TikTok, and the IRS, among many others. Graduates have also gone on to start their own successful companies.

“Our programs are on the cutting edge of business schools. We’re always looking for ways to innovate to provide more value for our students,” Helm-Stevens said. “We embed credentials and microcredentials in classes along the way, such as Excel, Google Digital Garage, and Hootsuite so students can set themselves apart for internships and jobs. When they meet with a prospective employer, they can showcase their skills and differentiate themselves from the competition.”

The SBM prepares students with the skills and integrity needed to do business well in today’s world. Experienced faculty integrate faith and character throughout each program, equipping students to make a difference and transform how business works. With nine bachelor’s degrees in business and accounting, students can select the program that best fits their career goals. For those looking to advance their careers at the graduate level, APU offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Business Management (MBM), available on campus and online, as well as a Master of Professional Accountancy, Master of Arts in Leadership, and Master of Science in Organizational Psychology.