October 5, 2009

Struggling Colleges Question the Cost—and Worth—of Specialized Accreditation

Struggling Colleges Question the Cost—and Worth—of Specialized Accreditation 2

Southern New Hampshire University

The president of Southern New Hampshire U. decided that accreditation for its business school (above) was not worth the time or money required.

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close Struggling Colleges Question the Cost—and Worth—of Specialized Accreditation 2

Southern New Hampshire University

The president of Southern New Hampshire U. decided that accreditation for its business school (above) was not worth the time or money required.

By Eric Kelderman

In thinking about selecting a new dean for its business school this year, Southern New Hampshire University considered whether the new leader should guide the school to gain accreditation through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, as more than 500 colleges have done.

But after seeing estimates that the costs of meeting those standards could top $2-million annually, Paul J. LeBlanc, president of the university, decided that approval from the business-college

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