Request to establish an Undergraduate Certificate in Business Entrepreneurship Program

Date: April 27, 2010
To: Belk College of Business
From: Clarence Greene, Faculty Governance Administrative Assistant
Approved On: February 23, 2010
Implementation Date: 2010

Note: Deletions are strikethroughs. Insertions are underlined.

Catalog Copy

Course Description

This course will examine the foundations of entrepreneurial thinking from an interdisciplinary perspective. Students will gain an overview of how successful entrepreneurs learn about the marketplace, conduct financial/ accounting analyses, and utilize management skills to develop entrepreneurial opportunities in a variety of disciplines including psychology, sociology, humanities, technology, engineering, and health care. Principles will be drawn from historical analysis, business, design, engineering, and technology. This course will involve guest speakers and could possibly be team taught (across different sections).

Course Description

An introduction to the first stage of creating an entrepreneurial venture: generating and evaluating ideas in a competitive environment; product development, design, and management; and the project management skills needed to keep the disparate venture activities progressing on schedule. Emphasis will be on real case studies and local entrepreneurs’ experiences.

Course Description

An introduction to financial, legal and technological concepts for entrepreneurs. Emphasis will be on case studies and experience drawn from entrepreneurs, leveraging local entrepreneurs to the extent possible. Topics to be covered include planning for financial feasibility, measuring profitability, forecasting cash flows, monitoring ongoing financial performance, technology and infrastructure requirements, the alternative legal forms of business, and the importance of contracts.

Course Description

This course addresses the business resources and techniques that will face the entrepreneurial business as it begins operations and moves into the successful growth phase. The topics covered include networking and managing professional services, logistics and operations, marketing communications and distribution, and organizational design and management.

Course Description

The capstone course designed as an experiential learning opportunity for prospective entrepreneurs pursuing a Certificate in Business Entrepreneurship. The course involves the application of entrepreneurship skills and knowledge through either working closely with the startup of a new venture to aid in the development of a business plan.

Course Description

The Entrepreneurship internship will provide a meaningful work experience. The internship requires 150 hours of supervised employment. Internship proposals can be initiated by the student or by the company. Students should consult the Director of the Entrepreneurship Program well in advance of registration to discuss suitability and availability of positions. Proposal forms must be completed and approved prior to registration. This course cannot be repeated for credit or taken for credit at the same time or following any other internship for credit.