Online Degrees in Entrepreneurship
Over 3.6 million U.S. businesses had between one and four employees in 2008, the U.S. Census reports. Training in entrepreneurship can help want-to-be business owners and "idea" men and women join the large number of entrepreneurs and small business owners in the U.S.
Entrepreneurship students can build on any level of professional experience with entrepreneurship degree programs. From certification programs to advanced degrees, career goals can dictate how much education an individual pursues.
With a certificate, students can add a few months of specialized training to current education and experience. For entrepreneurs looking to add business skills to existing knowledge in another area, online entrepreneurship certificates are a convenient way to learn practical skills such as writing a business plan or finding start-up funding.
For a more in-depth perspective, an MBA with a focus on entrepreneurship can allow students to customize the popular master's degree to the demands of starting a small business. Bachelor's and master's degrees in entrepreneurship include training in a wide range of business fundamentals, including accounting, business law and marketing.
Popular entrepreneurship coursework options
Entrepreneurship degrees offer general business training with a special focus on small and growing businesses. From franchises to family stores, small businesses come in different forms, and entrepreneurship degree programs respond with a range of coursework:
- Entrepreneurial finance
- Managing the family business
- Technology entrepreneurship
- Franchising perspectives
- Social entrepreneurship
The above are just a sampling of courses students may find in entrepreneurship degree programs. Students may pick among courses and electives to further personalize the degree to their needs.
Popular industries for small business
While entrepreneurs can be found in all industries, there are a few where the option is particularly popular. The U.S. Census reports in 2008 that the following industries were composed of 90 percent or more small businesses (20 employees or less):
- Construction
- Retail
- Finance
- Real estate
- Professional services
Retail trade is itself a booming industry, with 693,137 firms in 2008, according to the U.S. Census.
Online entrepreneurship degrees
Earning an entrepreneurship degree online comes with particular benefits for students. Chiefly, the flexible online format allows students to keep a full-time job while studying, which helps to build networks and business experience. Students also get a chance to gain more familiarity with web-based technology, which can be important when the time comes to take their business online.
Hard work and dedication are just the beginning of succeeding in business. Entrepreneurs should be willing to make sacrifices--according to the New York Times, small business owners generally pay themselves 70 to 80 percent of what they would earn in the open market. But the rewards of growing a business from idea to profitable company can more than make up for the pay cut.
Entrepreneurship at a glance
- Business landscape: The number of U.S. businesses with four or fewer employees was 3,624,614 in 2008, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
- Common small business industries: agriculture, construction, retail, finance, real estate, professional services
- Salary range: the U.S. Census Bureau reports entrepreneurs generally make 70 to 80 percent of what they would make working for a larger corporation.
