HCU's Archie W. Dunham College of Business Earns Accreditation

Houston, Texas, Feb. 5, 2026 - Houston Christian University (HCU) is proud to announce that its Archie W. Dunham College of Business (DCOB) has earned accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs(ACBSP) following a rigorous three-year review process. The accreditation marks a significant milestone for the College and affirms its commitment to teaching excellence, student learning outcomes and faith informed leadership.

"Accreditation is more than a designation. It is a declaration of purpose," said HCU President Robert B. Sloan. "The recent ACBSP accreditation of the Archie W. Dunham College of Business affirms what we have long believed: that excellence in teaching, deep care for students and faith informed leadership are fundamental to higher education."

Dr. Sloan noted that the achievement reflects years of thoughtful work by faculty, staff and administrators who evaluated programs honestly, aligned their efforts with the University's mission and continually asked how the institution could better serve students and society. While accreditation provides external validation, it also strengthens internal clarity and reinforces the College's purpose of preparing students for lives of integrity, stewardship and service.

The ACBSP accreditation process evaluates leadership, strategic planning, curriculum quality, faculty development and student learning outcomes. With this recognition, the DCOB becomes the only ACBSP accredited four year business school in the greater Houston area.

"Earning ACBSP accreditation is a moment of celebration for the Dunham College of Business, but it is also a moment of resolve," said Mike Rome, Dean of the DCOB. "From the beginning, our goal was not simply to earn a credential. We pursued accreditation to improve our programs, our processes and most importantly, the student experience."

The accreditation journey included institutional candidacy, a comprehensive self-study, an on-site peer review visit and final approval by the ACBSP Board of Commissioners. Faculty examined every program and course, reviewed assessment data and benchmarked outcomes against peer institutions.

"Our goal was to achieve those standards and then share with the world and all of our stakeholders that we have met those quality requirements," said Dr. Kenneth Bandy, Professor of Business and Accreditation Liaison.

As part of the accreditation process, the College identified targeted enhancements to strengthen student preparation. New required coursework in business communications and financial literacy and generosity will launch in Fall 2026, reflecting employer feedback, workforce needs and the University's Christian mission.

"This is not just a single stake in the sand," said Dr. Greggory L. Keiffer, Executive Associate Dean of the DCOB. "ACBSP accreditation means we have committed ourselves to an ongoing process of listening to the marketplace, learning from employers and our advisory board, and continually refining how we prepare students for meaningful careers."

At its core, accreditation is about students. The DCOB now formally tracks outcomes such as retention, graduation, internships and job placement, strengthening both the student experience and the long term value of degrees earned by alumni.

For more information and a full overview of retention and performance data for business degree programs, visit HC.edu/business/accreditation.

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About Houston Christian University

For more than 60 years, Houston Christian University has equipped students to lead, collaborate and embody a deep sense of spiritual purpose. The University offers a wide range of majors, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs, as well as NCAA Division I athletics in the Southland Conference. Located in the heart of one of the nation's largest metropolitan centers, HCU's culture of excellence molds the next generation of educated disciples to be pillars in their communities, preparing them to think critically and biblically as they impact the world.