Entrepreneurship Certificate

Overview of the field

Gone are the days when general business or business administration was the most popular college major. Today, we know for a fact that there are more of you who harbor an entrepreneurial spirit and wish to become your own boss. What you do as an entrepreneur will reflect your unique ideas and aspirations, and will allow you to experiment however you want (keeping risks and returns in mind though). A degree in entrepreneurship can introduce you to the basics of entrepreneurship – necessary skills, risks and the dynamics of the market.

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Is a certificate in entrepreneurship right for you?

A certificate in Entrepreneurship is appropriate for you if:

• You want to launch your own business
• Become part of a startup venture
• Develop a new initiative within an existing business
• Explore the fundamentals of entrepreneurship
• Take over a family business

Structure and duration of the program

A Certificate of entrepreneurship is a one-year program with typically 30 credit points. You can take one course at a time and the credits can then be transferred into a diploma which takes another year to complete.

What will you learn?

You will:

• Become familiar with the fundamental theories and concepts of entrepreneurship.
• Learn how to identify and fulfill the needs of the target market
• Carry out research to identify potential avenues
• Learn how to deal with different business models
• Manage financial issues of start-up ventures
• Learn how to evaluate the impact of the economic, political, legal and ethical factors on enterprises
• Deal with the various functional areas involved in any business
• Enhance your verbal and written communication skills
• Be able to expand your professional network by integrating with other people enrolled in the certificate, as well as mentors and guest speakers

Highlights of the coursework

The coursework of the Certificate of entrepreneurship exposes one to the basics of small and private businesses. The curriculum will help students in bringing to life new business ventures, arranging start-up finance, and managing business expansion and exit activities.  Every university offers a slightly different set of courses for students.
You’ll typically be required to take up several compulsory courses along with some electives. In this way, you’ll get to study what you like and focus more on courses that are in line with your career objectives.

Courses that are usually offered include:

• Introduction to Entrepreneurial Management
• Venture Creation
• Entrepreneurial Growth Strategies
• Technology entrepreneurship
• Entrepreneurial Finance
• Sustainable Business Practices
• Issues in Family Business Ownership
• Social Entrepreneurship
• Entrepreneurship Law  

You may be required to undertake a project that deals with coming up with a business plan, and all the activities related to executing the plan, and managing the business venture.  As a part of the program, some schools also encourage students to become involved in entrepreneurship immersion opportunities such as competitions and student clubs and organizations.

Admission criteria and graduation requirement

To get admission in a Certificate of entrepreneurship program, you need a specific degree and can study even without a high school diploma. However, prior knowledge of the field and some work experience might be helpful in understanding.

Careers Prospects
Although most students with a degree in entrepreneurship go on to set up their own business ventures, others decide to work in the corporate sector for a while and first gain experience that may prove useful in launching their own enterprise. 
Some areas where they may work include the following:

• Consultancy
• Business development management
• Marketing management

Some of the potential employers are:

• Consulting Firms
• Multinational Corporations
• Financial service Providers
• Manufacturing Firms

However most of the students end up setting up their own enterprises. After all that is why they enroll in an entrepreneurship program.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Certificate in Entrepreneurship?

Many schools in the United States, such as Harvard, Princeton, Purdue, and Stanford University, are offering a Certificate Program in Entrepreneurship. Students can enroll in a Certificate program in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, or a Certificate program in Entrepreneurship and Technology. Most of the online certificate programs are self paced and can take anywhere between 6 months to 1.5 years to complete, depending upon the individual’s schedule.

What Are the Requirements to Earn a Certificate in Entrepreneurship?

In order to obtain a Certificate in Entrepreneurship, program participants have to complete approximately 15 hours of coursework. They have to study a number of courses including Introduction to Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Finance, Data Mining for Business, Economics of Innovation, Business Analytics, Marketing Analytics and Managing the Entrepreneurial Venture. The program helps students understand the methods and principles of creativity, design thinking, idea generation and development.

How Much Can I Make after Earning a Certificate in Entrepreneurship?

Although a Certificate in Entrepreneurship is not necessary to start your own business, it does have its benefits. The certificate program trains individuals to identify business opportunities and prepares them to start their own businesses. A compensation research company known as PayScale reported that the annual salary of a small business owner in America falls in the range of $29,462 and $160,606. The research found that small business owners made an average yearly bonus of $6,250.