Dear Lincoln University DBA Students:
I am sending this message to you so that you are aware of some accreditation-related events/actions which affect the DBA degree program at Lincoln University (LU).
When you started your studies at LU in the DBA degree program, LU was accredited as an institution by Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), a national (and international) accreditation agency certified by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). LU has been in good standing with ACICS as an accredited institution for 26 years. The DBA degree program was accredited, along with all other degree programs at LU, by ACICS.
Earlier this year, ACICS informed us about the questioning, by USDOE, of the validity of the accreditation of the DBA program by ACICS. The administration of LU, along with the administrations of other ACICS accredited institutions offering doctoral programs, were asked to post a clarification in their catalogs to indicate that the ACICS accreditation of doctoral programs is not recognized by USDOE.
We realize that this action may diminish the value of the DBA degree which you expect to receive after satisfying all requirements for the award of this degree at LU. To address this unanticipated action by our accreditor, the administration of LU is taking the actions listed below:
The process of securing specialized program accreditation by a USDOE recognized Business Programs accreditor, International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE), has been initiated. It is anticipated that LU will be certified as a Candidate for Accreditation in April 2017. Full accreditation of all business degree programs by IACBE, including DBA, is expected before April 2018.
As a current DBA student, it may be in your interest to delay the submission of your doctoral dissertation until the DBA program is accredited by IACBE. If that delay results in your degree program studies not getting completed within the time limit set by LU, the administration will provide the necessary accommodation.
Students currently taking pre-dissertation courses will be able to complete the required courses without any perturbation.
Since the DBA program is not currently accredited, LU has stopped accepting new students in to the DBA program. We plan to resume acceptance of new DBA students after the doctoral program is accredited by IACBE.
The administration of LU places welfare of its students above all other priorities. Please be assured that as a current doctoral student, you will receive every consideration needed to maximize the benefit which LU administration can provide without bypassing any applicable standards and guidelines. If you have any questions concerning your ongoing studies within the DBA degree program, please contact the Director of Business Programs, Dr. Marshall Burak.
Dr. Mikhail Brodsky, President