The United States Sports Academy hit another historic landmark in its nearly half-century of delivering high quality sports education programs as it became the first sports university to earn accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Founded in 1972, the Academy – known around the world as America’s Sports University – offers ACBSP accredited sports management degrees in its Bachelor of Sports Science and Master of Sports Science programs. In addition, the Academy is the first and only school in the world with an ACBSP accredited doctoral degree in sports management. The ACBSP organization accredits business education programs around the world at more than 1,000 campuses.
“The Academy is proud of this achievement marking the quality of the institution’s highly regarded sports management programs,” Academy President and CEO Dr. T.J. Rosandich said. “Since its founding in 1972, the Academy has been a leader in providing quality sport education programs for the development of the profession and to have our sports management degrees so accredited by the ACBSP is in keeping with this tradition.”
The institution received formal notification of its accreditation status from ACBSP in April 2021, marking the culmination of a two-year accreditation process.
“It is a great honor and privilege for the Academy to join the 1,200 ACBSP accredited business programs in more than 60 countries,” Academy Provost Dr. Tomi Wahlstrom said. “Sport is a multibillion dollar industry with many management opportunities. Our quality academic programs are the best way to prepare for careers in this exciting field. We are looking forward to being active participants in the ACBSP community and serving as sports management leaders.”
In early 2019 the Academy became a candidate for accreditation from ACBSP, the world’s leading organization offering accreditation services to business degree programs focused on teaching and learning. Becoming a candidate starts the accreditation process, and candidates must develop an action plan for meeting ACBSP’s standards and criteria. Last year the Academy hired Dr. Carlos Aquino as its ACBSP consultant to help guide the institution through the accreditation process.
Following Aquino’s recommendations and the completion of a self-study, the Academy welcomed an accreditation team of evaluators to campus for a virtual site visit in March.
Indiana Wesleyan University faculty member Dr. Jeffrey Boyce worked as the accreditation team’s chairperson.
“There are a variety of benefits for schools that become accredited by ACBSP,” Boyce said. “Our focus is on continuous improvement. It doesn’t matter how good your school is now, it can always be better. ACBSP accredited schools are afforded input, guidance, and professional development benefits so that they can continue to improve.”
Founded in 1988, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) is a global business education accrediting body and the only organization to offer accreditation to all levels of collegiate business educational degree programs from associate to doctoral.
ACBSP ignites a standard of excellence with an accreditation process based on the Baldrige Education Criteria for Performance Excellence. By evaluating aspects of leadership, strategic planning, relationships with stakeholders, quality of academic programs, faculty credentials, and educational support, ACBSP assesses whether or not business programs offer a rigorous educational experience and commitment to continuous quality improvement.
