The Importance of Industry Alignment and Accreditation

Whether you’re just starting your education, trying to broaden your job prospects, or changing career paths, online education can be the perfect flexible and affordable option for heading back to school. But not all schools and academic programs are created equal. To get the best possible education for your money, you need to attend an accredited college. 

First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure the school has been regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission — which CSU Global proudly is. Accreditation is awarded to an institute of higher learning by an independent group of peer reviewers who confirm that the college or university in question keeps the promises it makes to students. 

What is a Regionally Accredited College?

The difference between being regionally or nationally accredited is an important distinction. The main difference is that credits earned in a regionally accredited college program are more likely to be widely accepted and transferable to other programs, should you decide to switch schools.

National accreditation is generally considered to be less stringent and less prestigious than regional accreditation. Most non-profit colleges carry regional accreditation, while national accreditation is more common in private, for-profit colleges and vocational or technical schools.

There are six accrediting agencies that operate in the United States:

• Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges

CSU Global’s regionally accredited online degree programs include undergraduate degrees, master’s degrees, and certificates, and many programs have further accreditations and endorsements from leading industry organizations. If you’re starting a new career without much experience, you can’t lean on your prior work on your resume. It’s even more important to choose a program that is challenging and has an industry’s stamp of approval. 

ACBSP Accreditation

The ACBSP (Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs) is an international accrediting body that assesses academic programs all over the world. It evaluates leadership, strategic planning, the quality of academic programs, faculty credentials, educational support, and whether or not the program offers a rigorous educational experience. 

At CSU Global, we’re proud to announce that 10 of our programs are ACBSP accredited:

• Bachelor’s Degree Programs:
  • Accounting
  • Business Management
  • Marketing
  • Management Information Systems & Business Analytics
  • Human Resource Management
• Master’s Degree Programs:
  • Management
  • Professional Accounting
  • Finance
  • Human Resource Management

Accounting

Accounting is one of the most popular jobs in the U.S., accounting for more than 1.3 million positions nationwide. An accounting degree will give you the practical skills you need to crunch numbers and solve tricky cost analysis problems. 

Our accounting program is also endorsed by the Institute of Management Accountants, an organization that has served as the global benchmark for management accountants for more than 50 years. When you get an accounting degree from CSU Global, you can be confident that you’re being set on the best possible path toward a promising career.

Human Resource Management

Human resource management is another promising career area, with some serious earning potential. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that Human Resource Managers in 2019 earn an average salary of $116,720 per year.

Human resources managers report some of the highest job satisfaction numbers of any profession, and it’s little wonder why. A job in HR is perfect for anyone who enjoys interacting with a diverse group of people, handling a broad spectrum of challenges on a daily basis, and having a direct impact on the wellbeing and future of your organization.

At CSU Global, our Human Resources programs are aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management. With more than 300,000 members in 165 countries, SHRM is directly involved in the work lives of more than 115 million people globally.

Project Management

Project management is an increasingly vital role at any major company, given the complex nature of today’s workforce. A career in project management won’t be easy. You’ll wear many hats and be held accountable for the productivity of everyone you oversee, but it can also be incredibly rewarding to shape the way your teams get things done.

CSU Global’s Project Management program is accredited by the Project Management Institute’s Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC), the world’s leading specialized accrediting body for project management. The PMI is dedicated to success, showing potential employers that you’re serious about your career and that you have the skills to excel. 

Get Started With CSU Global

If you’re ready to take your career and education to the next level, CSU Global is the place for you. We offer dozens of degrees and certifications, from specializations all the way up to master’s degrees, in a wide variety of fields of study. 

Better yet, all of our programs are designed for online learning, offering you the flexibility to pursue your degree no matter what other demands you have on your time. If you’re ready to get started, you can request more information or start an application here..