Learning & Skill Building Resources
Overview
BPA offers both career and interpersonal skills that members can carry with them throughout their post high school experience. The purpose of this page is to provide resources that will help you grow as a business professional beyond competitions, including tips and tools that will set you ahead of the curve in your future profession.
Professional Development
Certification Opportunities
Sign into your account on the National BPA website and get certified in navigating BPA competitions! This is useful for students who would like to elevate their BPA competitive events knowledge and for current (and future) advisors who want to help their students to the best of their ability.
Top Business Colleges/Universities in Michigan
University of Michigan
Michigan Ross is a top-tier global business school combining rigorous academics with “action-based learning,” like its signature MAP (Multidisciplinary Action Project) course in which students consult for real organizations. Ross offers undergraduate, MBA (full-time, part-time, global, executive) and specialized master’s programs, and is deeply integrated into the University of Michigan’s broader strengths in research and innovation.
Michigan State University
MSU’s Broad College develops “transformational leaders” through a flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum. With seven undergraduate majors and over a dozen minors, students can tailor their path, especially in high-demand areas like supply chain, data analytics, marketing, and finance. Graduate offerings include a 21-month full-time MBA, executive MBA formats, and specialized master’s in fields like marketing research, analytics, or supply chain. Broad also hosts the School of Hospitality Business, a leader in hospitality education.
Cleary University
Cleary’s business offerings are built around its unique “Business Arts Curriculum,” designed to blend practical skills, critical thinking, ethics, and change readiness. It offers undergraduate and graduate business degrees, emphasizing real-world alignment and small class sizes. Its strong state ranking (#3 business school in Michigan) reflects its reputation for delivering ROI and student success.
Hope College
At Hope, business is woven into a faith-based liberal arts framework. The Department of Economics & Business offers a “right-sized” major, meaning it balances foundation and specialization with room for exploration. Students engage in applied learning, client projects, and a professional interview by sophomore year. Tracks include finance, marketing, operations, human resources, among others.
Wayne State University
Wayne State’s Ilitch School offers traditional and online MBA paths, as well as joint/dual MBA programs, to suit working professionals. It leverages its Detroit location to connect students with urban business contexts and industry partnerships. (Note: more detailed program highlights would be useful to flesh this out.)
Northwood University
Northwood is known for its strong emphasis on entrepreneurial and managerial education, grounded in practical business experience. (While I couldn’t find a detailed recent summary, Northwood students frequently compete in business challenges and associations, such as BPA national competitions.) Its reputation is built on preparing leaders in small business, family business, and enterprise management.
Michigan Technological University
Michigan Tech’s business college integrates business with technology and analytics. Its MBA and master’s programs—such as STEM MBA, accounting & analytics, and engineering management—bridge technical and business skills. Graduate programs emphasize interdisciplinary, data-driven, and applied approaches suitable for tech-intensive industries.
Hillsdale College
Hillsdale’s business & economics coursework is offered within a liberal arts and classical education context. Students benefit from small classes, close faculty mentoring, and a curriculum that emphasizes ethical leadership and broad foundational skills alongside business principles.
Cornerstone University
Cornerstone’s School of Business & Innovation offers ACBSP-accredited business degrees. Students can earn undergraduate business credits that count toward their MBA, giving them advanced standing. The programs emphasize innovation, leadership, analytic skills, and integrating a Christian worldview across business disciplines.
Davenport University
Davenport’s business college is IACBE-accredited and delivers flexible delivery modes—on-campus, online, hybrid, and livestreamed. It offers a comprehensive suite of business degrees (associate through MBA) and certificate options. Their MBA program allows a no-GMAT option and multiple concentrations like cybersecurity, data analytics, health care management, and more. Students benefit from small class sizes, industry-active faculty, and real-world curriculum design.