College of Business faculty inherently weave lessons about entrepreneurship into their courses, no matter what the degree program. It’s endemic to the college and the faculty’s professional experience. But, for those students who want an even deeper dive into the topic, the college offers a concentration in entrepreneurship at both the bachelor’s- and master’s-degree levels.
At the master’s level, students complete five courses designed to prepare them to design, launch and grow new business ventures, either stand alone or within an existing corporation, including franchising and outsourcing. High-growth ventures, such as technology, and socially-oriented ventures are emphasized. The concentration even examines the international dimensions and sustainability of new ventures. Students use their capstone course to develop a business plan for their final project.
For the six-course undergraduate concentration, students gain a solid foundation in the entrepreneurial process, including the knowledge and skills necessary for starting and managing a new venture. They practice critiquing a business plan and learn about relevant laws and regulations. Students also complete a course on how to use social media to create brand identity and enhance marketing and business growth – a prime example of how the college evolves to continually offer relevant learning.
College of Business Associate Professor Merrill Johnson said students could follow a variety of paths to being entrepreneurs, including building a business from the ground up, purchasing an existing business, or perhaps buying into a franchise. It could even be a modest, part-time side hustle until it grows large enough for the business owner to quit their day job.
No matter what, Johnson said, the undergraduate concentration prepares students for success.
“Entrepreneurship or self-employment is not for everyone. It can be filled with the pinnacle of success as well as the valley of failure. But self-employment might be the right job move at some time in a person’s working career,” Johnson said. “By completing the entrepreneurial concentration, they should improve their odds of success.”