The E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration at Coastal Carolina University has maintained its accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, the international accrediting association for undergraduate, master's and doctoral degree programs in business schools.

"The Wall College of Business has been ratified for maintenance of accreditation of our Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration and Master of Accountancy degree programs," said J. Ralph Byington, dean of the Wall College and professor of accounting. "This recognition ensures the degrees that students receive from Coastal Carolina University are recognized as the world's best. Since our last review, we have added a new MAcc degree, restructured the MBA to make it cutting edge, focused on concentrations that are needed in the workplace for each of our minors, and restructured the college."

AACSB accreditation is earned by less than 5 percent of the world's business programs. Some 650 business schools in 45 countries and territories maintain AACSB accreditation. Similarly, 178 institutions maintain an additional specialized AACSB Accreditation for their accounting programs.

"I am proud of the accomplishments of the Wall College of Business," said David DeCenzo, president of Coastal Carolina University. "Reaffirmation of AACSB accreditation is a major measure of the quality of our business program and the value and respect that it brings to our university, faculty and students."

"This multi-year accreditation of the Wall College is a tribute to the excellent education provided to business students by the faculty, staff and administrators of the college," said CCU Provost Robert Sheehan. "AACSB Accreditation is difficult to attain, yet necessary for business students to excel upon graduation. It establishes membership in an elite group of colleges and universities."

"It takes a great deal of commitment and determination to earn and maintain AACSB Accreditation," said Robert D. Reid, executive vice president and chief accreditation officer of AACSB International. "Business schools must not only meet specific standards of excellence, but their deans, faculty and professional staff must make a commitment to ongoing continuous improvement to ensure that the institution will continue to deliver the highest quality of education to students."

For more information about the Wall College of Business, visit the website at www.coastal.edu/business. To learn more about AACSB International accreditation, visit the accreditation section of the AACSB International Web site at http://www.aacsb.edu/accreditation/.