WALTHAM, Massachusetts, June 6 /PRNewswire/ --

- EQUIS is the Leading International System of Quality Assessment, Improvement and Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions in Management and Business Administration

Bentley College today became one of only two business schools in the U.S., and 113 business schools worldwide, to earn EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System) accreditation. EQUIS is the leading international system of quality assessment, improvement, and accreditation of higher education institutions in management and business administration. EQUIS is run by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD).

"The EQUIS accreditation represents another milestone for Bentley in its growth as a leader in international business education -- acknowledging our progressive approach in both teaching and research. While global commerce and cultural understanding have always been an important focus of the Bentley curriculum, the explosion of international opportunities in the economy today has brought this facet into the spotlight more than anyone could have imagined a decade ago. We are proud to join the EQUIS community of business schools throughout the world dedicated to fully preparing their graduates to lead and succeed in this evolving and expansive global marketplace," stated Gloria Cordes Larson, president of Bentley College.

"The academic institutions of Massachusetts have always been world class leaders in many fields. Bentley College's recent accreditation by EQUIS is a tangible demonstration of that. The State is proud to honor Bentley as it becomes only one of two U.S. business schools with EQUIS designation. Congratulations to the faculty, staff, students and leadership of Bentley on this milestone," offered Dana Mohler-Faria, Ph.D., Special Advisor for Education to Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.

Institutions accredited by EQUIS must demonstrate not only high general quality in all dimensions of their activities, but also a high degree of internationalization. With companies recruiting worldwide, more students choosing to obtain their education outside their home countries, and schools building alliances across borders and continents, there is a rapidly growing need for each group to be able to identify those institutions in any country that deliver high quality education in international management, according to EQUIS.

The fundamental objective of EQUIS, linked to the mission of EFMD, is to raise the standard of management education worldwide. Its scope covers all programs offered by an institution from the first degree to the Ph.D., as well as all the activities and sub-units of an institution, including research, e-learning, executive education and community outreach.

"Given our commitment to the very best international business education at all levels, recognition by EQUIS of the high standards we set for ourselves is truly gratifying," said Robert D. Galliers, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Bentley.

Over the last five years, Bentley has experienced continued growth in its endowment, contributions, applications and enrollment. Most recently, Bentley introduced Ph.D. programs in business and accountancy; launched a portfolio of graduate programs, "Portfolio 360," as well as a liberal studies major (LSM) - an optional double major that complements and adds value to any undergraduate business major, and expanded its array of international partnerships with academic institutions in the Netherlands, Brazil, India, Spain, China, Singapore, and Belgium.

The school also recently appointed Michael J. Page, Ph.D., to take on the dual role of dean of Business and dean of the McCallum Graduate School. Previously, Page was dean of Post-Experience Programs of RSM Erasmus University and executive director of the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) B.V., The Netherlands. Also accredited by AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Bentley has 271 full-time faculty members.

At the internationally ranked McCallum Graduate School at Bentley, a broad array of offerings includes the Bentley MBA, the dual MS+MBA degree, the Ph.D. programs, and the Portfolio 360 suite of Masters programs in Accountancy, Finance, Financial Planning, Human Factors in Information Design, Marketing Analytics, Information Technology, Real Estate Management and Taxation.

All programs at Bentley provide a powerful, student-centered learning environment, innovative curriculum, state-of-the-art facilities and committed teachers and scholars. Students draw on first-rate technological resources, including an extensive campus IT infrastructure; one of the most advanced financial Trading Rooms at an academic institution; leading integrated enterprise software; specialized labs for studying accounting systems, marketing, and information design; and access to research databases and information sources worldwide.

For more information on the requirements for EQUIS accreditation, please go to http://www.efmd.org/html/Accreditations/cont_detail.asp?id=041004geyi&ai... 027dbvg&tid=1&ref=ind.

Web site: http://www.bentley.edu http://www.efmd.org

Michele Walsh of Bentley College, +1-781-891-2070, mwalsh1@bentley.edu