With more than 27 million US entrepreneurs looking to make lives a bit easier in new ways, it’s safe to say that innovation and creativity in our world is no longer an option, but a requirement. For some, successful entrepreneurship is viewed as an intuitive, all-or-nothing endeavor that can’t be taught in school. Others, however, view owning a business through a more traditional lens, with an often impractical MBA education acting as the main qualifier for success. Self professed creative entrepreneurs need not worry though. There are some amazing Masters programs that couple the importance of innovation with practical business applications that can used in real life.

Here are a few:

1. MIT, Sloan School of Management

Application deadline: The 2016-2017 applications are currently closed but will begin to become available beginning in mid-July.

The MIT Sloan Fellowship Program in Innovation and Global Leadership offers fellows an outstanding curriculum that equips them with the critical skills to create and implement successful, innovative businesses in our fast paced society.

2. The Haas School at the University of California, Berkeley

Application Deadline: Early admission will begin in October 2016.

In 2010, the School announced an overhaul of its traditional MBA curriculum with an intense commitment to shaping leaders who would define what’s next for society’s business market.  The major changes and cultural focus are built into the model of Berkeley Innovative Leader Development (BILD), a connecting theme that ties the entire MBA program, both core and elective.

According to its website, “under the BILD approach, each core course (finance, accounting, marketing, strategy etc.) was reviewed to identify elements of innovation that contribute to these fundamental capabilities.  New content on innovative leadership was added to some courses, and related content flagged in all required courses.” The program usually concludes with the students taking an experiential course that will force the student conceptualize and execute an event that ties into their business goals.

3. Mendoza College of Business, University of Notre Dame

Application Deadline: *TBA*

For many years, the Mendoza College of Business has been ranked as one of the best business programs in the country because of its firm grasp on strategic creativity and its encouragement of societal disruption. This program is especially valuable to creative entrepreneurs because students  spend 10-days creating business strategies in countries like Bosnia, Uganda, and Lebanon.  

4. The University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Application Deadline: *TBA*

The Booth School of Business is actually the first business school to offer executive MBA and Ph.D. in business programs. Students are allowed to structure their own course of study subject, however, they must enroll in the Leadership Effectiveness and Development course. The LEAD course focuses on developing skills like motivating people, influencing outcomes, and building relationships.

5. Rotman School of Management

Application Deadline: *TBA*

The Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto has been a staunch supporter of  forward thinking and flexibility through a concept the school deemed as Integrative Thinking TM.

At the Desautels Centre for Integrative Thinking, extremely practiced and knowledgeable educators join forces  come together to push the frontiers of Integrative Thinking and conduct original research, making Rotman a focal point for thought leadership and dialogue in this area.

In addition to traditional business courses like Finance and Accounting, first-year students also have the opportunity to take courses like ‘Fundamentals of Integrative Thinking,’ which focuses on understanding and analyzing the big picture so that they are able to approach each challenge with creativity and a willingness to think outside the box.

MADE by Jasmine Browley