The ACBSP Seminar Series consists of short (one to two-day) workshops on topics suggested by the membership. These are presented at several different locations, at different times to allow those who are interested more flexibility in attendance. ACBSP began the series in 2010, hosting four seminars at four regional meetings, including one outside the United States for the convenience of our international members.

This year, ACBSP is pleased to offer a seminar series focused on accredited members who would benefit from an intense review of the requirements to maintain accredited status,discovering new opportunities to promote their accredited status, new requirements for transparency and public disclosure, and a look at plans for use of web-based tools.

Quality Assurance (QA) Reports are a valued template to plan, perform, and measure results for the development and continuous improvement of your academic programs. They help you achieve sustainable results in today’s challenging educational environment.

The preparation and use of these reports is the major focus of the seminar including:

• How to reduce the amount of time required to update your Quality Assurance Report to a few hours each year.
• How to use completed QA Reports to significantly reduce the workload when producing a self-study document for reaffirmation of accreditation.
• How to use the QA Report to assist with the collection of data for regional accreditation.
• Learn more about the showcase of products and useful tools available through ACBSP corporate members that can assist you in accurate completion of these accreditation requirements. Peregrine Academic Services is sponsor for all four sessions.

Transparency and disclosure of accreditation actions are subjects that are addressed in questions recently added to the Quality Assurance Report and ACBSP processes. This is a second focus of the seminar and will explain:

• Best practices for disclosing to the public the accreditation status of your programs by routinely providing reliable information to the public, including student achievement and identifying which programs are accredited and which are not.
• Ways in which ACBSP is disclosing accreditation actions and the accredited status of your programs to the public on the ACBSP website.
• A description of the recently enacted process for responding to complaints from the public.
• Commissioners’ insights into providing more reliable and valid information.

Promotion of your accredited status is important and ACBSP has tools to help you. The third focus of the seminar explains what tools are at your disposal and how they can be used to promote your accredited status.

• Two brochures describing the value of ACBSP accreditation — one for students and one for employers, and how to personalize the brochures for your audiences.
• Use of the “ACBSP Accredited” logo to showcase your accredited status.
• Future plans for new products and your feedback for implementing these plans.
• Discover ACBSP booklet as a tool to communicate the importance of ACBSP membership and accreditation to colleagues.

Use of Web-based tools in the accreditation process is under discussion by ACBSP. During the seminar we will:

• Provide an update on what is being proposed and the timetable for implementation.
• Ask for your comments on tools you are currently using to meet other accreditation requirements.
• Get your opinion and feedback on what is being proposed to ensure it meets your needs and requirements.

Agenda, Registration, and Fees

The 2011-2012 Seminar Series has concluded. Details and dates for the 2012-2013 Seminar Series are TBD at this time. Information and registration is generally available in July or August. 

For more information, contact the ACBSP office at 913-339-9356.

2012 Locations
September 21-22, 2011 | Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
This seminar will be held prior to the Southeastern Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP Region 3) meeting.

October 5-6, 2011 | Dayton, Ohio, USA
This seminar will be held prior to the Great Lakes Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP Region 4) meeting.

November 10-11, 2011 | Latrobe, Pennsylvania, USA
This seminar will be held prior to the Eastern Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP Region 2) meeting.

January 17-18, 2012 | Phoenix, Arizona, USA
This seminar will be held prior to the Western Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP Region 7) meeting.