Standard 4: Policies and procedures for student admissions, as well as those that ensure academic progression toward degree completion, and supporting career development, are clear, effective, consistently applied, and aligned with the school's mission, expected outcomes, and strategies. [STUDENT ADMISSIONS, PROGRESSION, AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT]

Basis for Judgment

● Policies and procedures related to student admissions to degree programs are clear, effective, and transparent to all participants in the process, and are consistent with the mission, expected outcomes, and supporting strategies of the school.

● Normally, graduate business degree program admission criteria should include, among other requirements, the expectation that applicants have or will earn a bachelor’s degree prior to admission to the graduate program. The school should be prepared to document how exceptions support quality in the graduate business degree program.

● The school prepares and supports students to ensure academic progression towards degree completion, including clear and effective academic performance standards and processes, consistent with degree program learning goals. The school has clearly articulated policies and processes to:

- Prepare students to learn to employ the modalities and pedagogies of degree programs.

- Evaluate student progress.

- Provide early identification of retention and progression issues.

- Intervene with support, where appropriate.

- Separate students from programs, if necessary.

● The school provides effective career development support for students and graduates consistent with degree program expectations and the school’s mission, expected outcomes, and strategies.

● In addition to public disclosure information required by national or regional accreditors, schools provide reliable information to the public on their performance including student achievement information as determined by the school. Examples of such information include: attrition and retention rates; graduation rates; job placement outcomes; certification or licensure exam results; and employment advancement. This information should be available on the school’s website as well as by other means determined by the school.

Guidance for Documentation

● Describe admissions policies and processes, demonstrate that they are consistent with program expectations and the mission of the school, and show that they are transparent to all participants.

● Document and explain how the characteristics of the current student body for each degree program are the result of the application of admission policies and processes that are consistent with the school’s mission and expected outcomes. If exceptions are made, provide justification and basis for quality.

● Describe efforts to achieve diversity in the current student body.

● Describe and provide evidence that the school’s policies and procedures successfully prepare admitted students to make use of the teaching and learning model(s) employed.

● Document and demonstrate the effectiveness of current policies and procedures to ensure academic progression toward degree completion, including standards for academic performance, as well as to ensure integrity of student participation and appraisal in degree programs. Examples of evidence may include data on the completion rates in degree programs relative to the normal expected time-to-degree expectations, the number of students identified with retention issues, the interventions undertaken, and the number of students separated over the last academic year.

● Document processes and demonstrate the effectiveness of career development support that is consistent with degree program expectations and the mission of the school. Examples of evidence may include job acceptance rates for graduates over the most recent five-year period as well as case examples of successful graduates.

● Document school performance and student achievement information on an annual basis, and document how this information is made available to the public via web sites and other means on an annual basis.