Jan. 27, 2021

Seneca has received its first global business accreditation.

Seneca is the only college in Ontario and one of 11 institutions across Canada to have programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

The achievement brings international recognition to 23 Seneca Business programs, including six honours bachelor of commerce degrees.

“The accreditation will increase our graduate mobility, research opportunities, program articulation and global partnerships for faculty and students,” said Joelle Allen, Manager, Business Administration.

ACBSP offers accreditation to all levels of business educational programs from diploma and degrees to certificates and doctoral credentials. The accreditation prioritizes scholarly research and faculty engagement within the contemporary business world as ways to improve teaching methodology and contribute to student learning.

With ACBSP recognition, Seneca Business joins a global education network that provides member schools with access to exchanges, study abroad opportunities and research programs.

More than 40 Seneca Business faculty members contributed their knowledge and expertise to the ACBSP accreditation process.

Ryan Laverty, a professor and program co-ordinator in the School of Accounting & Financial Services, says the exercise provided an opportunity to examine Seneca Business’s courses from a new perspective and to see how they can be improved.

“You are asked to consider how you can best deliver education,” he said. “We also explored how we can evolve that delivery to ensure students continue to develop the skills that employers want.”

The ACBSP accreditation encourages faculty to look at multiple factors related to student success, including the student experience, graduation rates and any particular parts of a course that help students prepare for post-graduation employment.

“At the end of the day, we want our students to be on the cutting edge,” Mr. Laverty said. “We want them to succeed after they graduate from Seneca.”

For Jeff McCarthy, Dean, Seneca Business, the accreditation speaks to the expertise and dedication of the faculty.

“We are thrilled Seneca has joined a very select group of Canadian postsecondary institutions that have earned this recognition,” he said. “Having our programs accredited globally sets our graduates apart from the competition when they begin their careers. The co-operative effort from our chairs, staff and faculty was significant. I’m very proud of the Seneca Business team.”