MLQU School of Business to Implement Vertical Integration of BSBA Programs from Senior High to Graduate Studies

Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU), through its School of Business, is set to implement a Vertical Integration Framework for its Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) programs — linking Senior High School, undergraduate, and graduate business education into a coherent and progressive academic pathway.

The initiative is designed to strengthen academic continuity, improve student preparedness at every level, and align business education more closely with industry expectations. Under this framework, competencies introduced in Senior High School will be systematically reinforced and expanded in the undergraduate program, and further deepened in graduate studies.

According to Leonila J. Generales, Dean of the School of Business, the move responds to both learner needs and market realities.

“Vertical integration allows us to be deliberate about what students learn, when they learn it, and how competencies mature over time,” Dean Generales said. “We want our Senior High School students to enter college already grounded in foundational business concepts, our undergraduates to graduate with applied and industry-ready skills, and our graduate students to build on this with leadership, strategy, and advanced management competencies.”

A Seamless Learning Pathway

Under the planned model, the Senior High School business-related strands will be intentionally aligned with the BSBA curriculum. Core concepts such as basic accounting, entrepreneurship, marketing fundamentals, communication, and digital literacy will be introduced early, using learning outcomes that anticipate undergraduate requirements.

At the undergraduate level, the BSBA program will build on these foundations through deeper analytical, quantitative, and applied courses, including case-based learning, internships, and industry-linked projects. Program outcomes will be clearly mapped to ensure readiness for employment, entrepreneurship, or further studies.

The graduate programs will then serve as the capstone of this pathway, focusing on strategic thinking, organizational leadership, data-driven decision-making, and research-informed practice.

“This is about coherence,” Dean Generales emphasized. “Students should feel that each academic stage is not a reset, but a progression. What they learn in Senior High School should matter in college, and what they learn in college should meaningfully prepare them for graduate studies or professional leadership.”

Industry Alignment and Faculty Collaboration

A key component of the vertical integration plan is close collaboration among faculty members across levels, supported by curriculum mapping and regular academic review. Industry partners and alumni will also be engaged to validate competencies and ensure relevance to current business practices.

The School of Business likewise plans to integrate digital tools, data analytics, and emerging business technologies across the curriculum, ensuring that graduates remain competitive in a rapidly evolving economic environment.

Supporting Student Retention and Success

Beyond academic alignment, the framework is expected to improve student retention and success by providing clearer academic pathways and reducing learning gaps between levels. Students who begin their business education at MLQU in Senior High School will have a defined progression toward college and graduate programs, supported by mentoring, advising, and skills development.

“Our goal is to produce graduates who are not only credentialed, but truly prepared,” Dean Generales added. “Vertical integration helps us do that in a structured, intentional way.”

The Vertical Integration Framework forms part of MLQU’s broader academic development and quality assurance initiatives, reinforcing the University’s commitment to relevant, outcomes-based, and future-ready education under the School of Business.