5 Business Schools that will lead you to boardroom success

11 Apr 2017

“Intelligence without ambition is like a bird without wings.” – Salvador Dali

The US higher education sector has earned a firm position among the world’s elite. Figures from the Institute of International Education (IIE) reveal that in 2015-16, a total 200,312 international students chose to enrol at a US institution for the study of business and management, with an overall 19.2 percent of the region’s non-native student population opting to pursue a business-focused course. These numbers not only highlight the global relevance of specialized programs in this field, but also the resounding popularity of North America as an international study destination.

“Evidence suggests that students flock to the business colleges of America’s greatest universities because they see the strength of these programs as the best preparation for a good job both in the United States and at home,” International Student writes. The article notes that the state of home country economies also has a major influence on US foreign student statistics. China and India, for example, consistently display the highest numbers of outbound students headed for the region, with the fact that these nations also boast the fastest-growing international economies adding major clout to the overall results.

Image courtesy of Jacksonville University

“Because a rapidly-growing economy will provide strong employment opportunities for students trained in the United States,” the article explains, “a student from India or China is prone to study at a business college because they will see an immediate return on their investment.”

A major pull factor of the US business education is the promise of a practically- and theoretically-balanced education. With the American economy standing among the most prosperous in the world, universities generally maintain unparalleled relationships with local and global corporations, making them verified hotbeds for graduate career opportunity.

If you’re looking to refine your business, entrepreneurial and managerial prowess, North American universities are undoubtedly the best places to start. And with each College offering a unique and distinctive specialized business portfolio, plus the transferrable skills and international perspective consistently sought by the modern recruiter, a US business education represents the key to success.

Here are 5 US Business Schools you should certainly consider…

KOGOD SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY – WASHINGTON D.C.

Image courtesy of the Kogod School of Business

The Kogod School of Business, nestled in Northwest Washington, DC, is full of promise and opportunity for international students. From rewarding internships to high profile networking events, Kogod students graduate prepared to succeed in the global business sphere.

Kogod offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting; Finance; Business, Language and Culture Studies; and Business and Entertainment. The school also offers a Full-time MBA program, as well as seven specialized Master of Science degrees. The Kogod Center for Career Development (KCCD) provides additional academic support and guidance, providing one-on-one sessions in resume writing, job searching and relationship building.

“This is a really wonderful community,” says Wendy Attaya Boland, Associate Dean of Graduate Programs and Associate Professor of Marketing. “[It] offers a comfortable environment for learning, with faculty and staff who students know are committed to helping them learn, grow and achieve their career goals.”

DAVIS COLLEGE OF BUSINESS, JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY – FLORIDA

Jacksonville University’s Davis College of Business is no stranger to praise, with previous rankings from the EMBA (Executive MBA) track placing it at 14^th internationally for its elite executive offerings, cementing the school’s position as one of the world’s leading business colleges. For international students keen to earn a well-respected degree at a top-notch, AACSB-accredited (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) business school, JU Davis College of Business is an impressive candidate for your business education.

Davis offers a host of comprehensive undergraduate majors, plus several MBA streams that cover Accounting and Finance, Management, Management Accounting and Consumer Goods & Services Marketing. One secret to the success of JU Davis lies in its world-class faculty, who take a learn-through-doing approach to education, with students taking part in team simulations, plus group projects and internship placements.

Even the campus location on the banks of the St Johns River is enviable. It features tranquil oak-lined paths and historic architecture, with Jacksonville city centre located just upriver and the Atlantic only a few minutes’ drive away.

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS, CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY – LOS ANGELES

Image courtesy of California State University, Los Angeles

Accredited by the AACSB since 1960, the College of Business and Economics at California State University, Los Angeles consistently develops individuals who thrive in the ever-changing business world. The College’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation hosts events and workshops for students and partners with incubators supporting student entrepreneurship. Located in the hub of a major international city, it attracts students and faculty from around the globe.

The college offers a range of business programs, from the undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration or Computer Information Systems, plus a specialized range of postgraduate programs that include the MBA (with options in various fields of business), the MS in Accountancy, MA Economics, MS Healthcare Management, MS Business (Finance, Marketing, Management, Data Analytics and other fields), and MS Information Systems.

With an emphasis on hands-on learning, students gain the knowledge that not just prepares them for successful future careers, but also serves as the catalyst for innovative graduate thinking. As Southern California is on track for rapid economic growth, the job market is strong for both domestic and international students with outstanding business degrees.

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS, UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH – ONTARIO

The University of Guelph has over 20,000 undergraduate and 2,100 graduate students. Guelph offers an in-depth education that perfectly blends traditional academia with experiential learning opportunities.

The college provides a number of transformative options while building on the principles of social conscience and leadership. The Department of Management offers a distinctive Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting, designed to teach taxation, auditing and accounting skills and theory. Guelph frequently performs well in student satisfaction ratings, with the university previously landing 1st place for student satisfaction at a leading university in Canada, according to Maclean’s magazine.

“We also recognize that success is enhanced through student engagement,” says Brenda Whiteside, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at the College of Business and Economics. “Our students are actively involved both inside and outside of the classroom – on campus, in the community and beyond,” she explains. “It’s this sense of community that I believe creates this level of Gryphon pride and satisfaction.”

HASKAYNE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY – ALBERTA

Image courtesy of Haskayne School of Business

Founded at the University of Calgary in 1967, the Haskayne School of Business is integral to the shaping of future business leaders in Canada’s most enterprising city.

With more than 3,600 full- and part-time students enrolled in its undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs, plus more than 1,300 executive education participants, the school is globally-recognized as a centre of excellence in entrepreneurial and business education.

From the Bachelor of Commerce, to the Master of Business Administration (MBA), to the Executive MBA, the Global Energy Executive MBA, the MSc in Sustainable Energy Development, and beyond; all business-focused courses at the Haskayne School of Business are built on the foundation of innovation. In fact, the School’s Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is entirely dedicated to the shaping of powerful entrepreneurs. Striving to teach students to recognize special opportunities, embrace new challenges and build upon Calgary’s positive, ‘can-do’ spirit, the centre instils critical expertise for enterprising individuals looking to dive headfirst into new business opportunities.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International