Academic Catalog Spring 2019

CERTIFICATE IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT (EBE)

The Bluefield College Professional Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management fosters imagination and inspires an entrepreneurial spirit—one that enables both today’s business owners and tomorrow’s to discover innovative solutions. The Certificate Program is focused on entrepreneur minded adults interested in launching a new business and small business owners looking to improve business results. The certifi- cate is comprised of four required courses with one 3 credit hour elective or 15 credit hours, priced at $268 per credit hour, excluding books and fees. The program is a blend of online classes, and “field”-based projects. Student assignments often include work with local or regional business owners. Program participants develop an electronic learning portfolio to track their progress and measure results. The program offers the rigor of an undergraduate level class, without the expense of a full undergraduate degree program. The curriculum spans all stages of small business de- velopment, from defining an idea, to finding and managing finances, to building marketing strategies and managing operations. This professional certificate’s capstone course teaches participants how to finalize their business plan and practice execution steps needed to man- age a successful business. The curriculum is overseen by an advisory board of business entrepreneurs and education leaders and approved by the Bluefield College, Department of Business. Courses are taught by working professionals or other professors with current business experience who have at least five to seven years of practical business experience. More so than ever, today’s business environment is demanding leaders who have an entre- preneurial spirit.

A. Core Requirements

12 SH

EBE 4113 Small Business Management EBE 4213 Strategic Internet Marketing EBE 4253 Entrepreneurial Implementation EBE 4603 Entrepreneurial Finance and Business Planning

B. Elective Courses

3 SH

EBE 3153 Franchising for the Entrepreneur EBE 4203 Ethics for the Entrepreneur EBE 4243 New Ventures for the Entrepreneur MGT 4233 Leadership and Change Management

Total Hours 15 SH *The Professional Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management has open enrollment every eight weeks. Admission requirements include: successful completion of high school diploma or equivalent. COURSES OF INSTRUCTION EBE 3153 Franchising for the Entrepreneur This course provides students with a view of entrepreneurship as a process of economic or social value creation, rather than the single event of opening a business. This process applies equally well whether the result is a for-profit business enterprise or a not-for-profit

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