Three adaptable and inclusive business schools preparing graduates for success

In today’s dynamic business landscape, adaptability and inclusivity are no longer optional qualities — they’re essential to success. The best business schools are recognising this shift and revamping their curricula to equip graduates for a rapidly changing world.

These schools prioritise courses that encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills, allowing students to navigate unforeseen challenges and devise creative solutions. Curricula may also include design thinking methodologies, encouraging students to approach problems from fresher perspectives and develop better solutions.

What’s more, focusing on inclusivity prepares students for a globalised workforce. This means fostering cultural competency, building awareness of unconscious bias, and promoting teamwork across many and varied backgrounds. By creating a truly inclusive learning environment, these schools ensure graduates can effectively collaborate within and across borders.

For a selection of business schools with such success-building features, read on:

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville State University‘s Broadwell College of Business and Economics (BCBE) offers a compelling combination of affordability, academic excellence, and industry-focused programmes. Founded in 1867, FSU is a historically Black university (HBCU) and the second-oldest state-assisted institution in North Carolina. Today, BCBE is accredited by AACSB, the gold standard for business schools, with its commitment to excellence reflected in its many achievements.

Both the MBA and Graduate Certificate in Project Management programmes hold accreditation from the Project Management Institute. The college also has impressive accolades, including a top 100 ranking in US News & World Report’s Best Online MBA Programmes and a #3 ranking in North Carolina by Fortune Education’s 2024 Best Online MBA Programmes.

BCBE’s award-winning MBA programme equips graduates for leadership roles with strong problem-solving skills and relevant technical expertise. The programme has 12 specialisations, including STEM fields like Business Intelligence and Data Analytics, all of which offer the potential to earn industry-recognised certifications.

For professionals seeking specialised knowledge, BCBE provides a variety of Graduate Certificates. One such certification programme is the ERP (SAP) which equips students with expertise in this leading enterprise resource planning system. Through hands-on experience with SAP software, students learn to manage operations, finances, and supply chains effectively, making them invaluable assets in today’s business world. This programme even prepares them for the sought-after TS410 consultant certification exam, all within the unique environment of one of only 11 SAP Next-Gen labs in the nation. Apply to BCBE today.

The UC Davis Graduate School of Management prepares future leaders to be inspired, innovative, and collaborative, dedicated to making a positive impact. Source: UC Davis/Facebook

UC Davis

UC Davis is well-known for its welcoming and inclusive environment. In the 2021 QS USA University rankings, it placed first for its inclusiveness, diversity and internationalisation. Such accolades only enhance any international student’s time at this public research university located in Northern California’s Central Valley, where you’ll find a vibrant campus life with stunning natural beauty nearby.

Here too lies the Graduate School of Management and its programmes that equip students with the skills to become responsible business leaders through its unique Integrated Management Project and Articulation and Critical Thinking (IMPACT) curriculum. This curriculum exposes students early on to real-world challenges, nurturing critical thinking and research abilities through projects focused on globalisation, sustainability, and business ethics.

Online offerings are just as impactful. The UC Davis Online MBA recently secured the seventh spot in North America and #13 globally in the QS Online MBA Rankings 2024.  “The rankings recognised the highly selective nature of our programme, its diverse population, the completion rate, and the overall class experience,” said Dean H. Rao Unnava. “These highlights compare favourably to our Poets & Quants online MBA ranking that found our faculty, classroom experience, and residential experiences to be rated highly by our students.”

The school’s location in Northern California provides further advantage. Students gain access to leading financial, energy, and consumer companies, Fortune 500 firms, cutting-edge green technology and biotech leaders, top venture capitalists, and the heart of California’s wine and agriculture industries.

Dahl School of Business programmes are designed for 21st century students and meet industry needs. Source: Viterbo University/Facebook

Viterbo University

Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin — named one of the top 25 best small college towns by USA Today — Dahl School of Business is home to a community that exudes camaraderie and excitement. Here, every student is valued as they learn to make a difference as ethical and effective leaders in organisations and society.

Take its MBA programme, for example. It  shapes students into informed leaders who are committed to making a positive impact on organisations, the community, and the world. Core courses are current and dynamic: Leadership Skills in Organisations, Understanding the Numbers that Move the World, Global Finance, Complex Systems Change Strategies, Lean Six Sigma, Business Intelligence I: Mining, Metrics, and Stats. As the MBA is designed with input from alumni and local employers, students will gain knowledge they can leverage in a wide range of in-demand areas, from data mining to human capital development.

For those who aspire to be servant leaders in nonprofit organisations, business, government, health care, ministry, and education, consider the one-of-a-kind Master of Arts in Servant Leadership. Current medical doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals seeking to advance to leadership roles can join the MBA in Health Care Leadership (online) to open and seize greater opportunities in their organisations and careers.

Beyond academics, Viterbo cultivates an welcoming environment through its Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies. This creates a space that celebrates individual identities and cultural backgrounds, promoting mutual respect and intercultural understanding. Such dedication to inclusivity ensures that all members of the Viterbo community feel valued and supported.

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