Entrepreneurship Course Descriptions
The entrepreneurship major offers students challenging and exciting courses emphasizing the formal study of entrepreneurship. The learning process includes understanding risk analysis and problem solving, the assessment of a new venture marketing plan, the strategic management of growth, and the development of a business plan.
The major requires completion of the University's general education courses (52 hours), the business core (36 hours) which provides the student with meaningful exposure to other business functions, required entrepreneurship courses including directed and approved electives (21 hours) and 15 hours of electives in busienss or non-business courses with a minimum GPA of 2.25.
A minor in entrepreneurship may be attained upon completion of fifteen hours of entrepreneurship courses including Entre 310 and 12 hours of upper-division entrepreneurship courses. Nine hours must be taken at WSU with a minimum GPA of 2.25 in those courses.
Undergraduate Courses
Entrepreneurship Introductory Course - Elective:
ENTR 160 - Introduction to Entrepreneurship (3 hours)
An introductory course for non-business majors to familiarize the student with the world of small business, including the analysis of personal strengths and weaknesses as they relate to launching an entrepreneurial career. Gives considerable attention to elementary concepts of planning, financing, starting, and managing a new business.
Required Entrepreneurship Courses (12 hours):
ENTR 310 - The Entrepreneurial Experience (3 hours)
Overview of the study of entrepreneurship, including its economic foundations, the principles of venture creation, financial sources of capital, and strategy/business plan creation. Explores the entrepreneurial mentality and philosophy toward risk-taking, innovation, and creativity.
Prerequisites: Junior standing; advanced standing
ENTR 440 - New Venture Feasibility Analysis (3 hours)
Focuses on identifying the sources of business opportunities, understanding industry characteristics that are more or less favorable for new ventures, generating business ideas, evaluating the feasibility of business ideas, and investigating appropriate business models prior to formal business plan development.
Prerequisite: ENTR 310; junior standing; advanced standing
ENTR 455 - Entrepreneurial Finance (3 hours)
Exposes students interested in business start-up or management of a growing firm to the principles, methods and tools used in financial planning, analysis, and control of the small business enterprise. Covers short-term financial planning and control, creation of pro forma financial statements, and business valuation techniques. Presents how and where to seek financing via a variety of debt and equity sources.
Prerequisites: ENTR 310; junior standing; advanced standing
ENTR 620 - Growing and Managing an Entrepreneurial Firm (3 hours)
Focuses on the organization, operation, marketing, and financial management of an ongoing entrepreneurial firm. Emphasizes the strategic management of growth associated with a rapidly changing business, as distinguished from "small business management," which could include small enterprise units that are static. Teaches the practical aspects of managing a growing business on a day-to-day basis. Practical application to "intrapreneurship," such as growing a division or department within a larger organization.
Prerequisites: ENTR 310; junior standing; advanced standing
ENTR 668 - Developing a Successful Business Plan (3 hours)
Emphasizes the development of a comprehensive business plan which incorporates financial and organizational principles associated with entrepreneurial finance including financial structuring of the firm, pro forma development of financial statements and the capitalization of the firm. Explains and illustrates strategies for exiting and harvesting the business.
Prerequisites: ENTR 440, 455; junior standing; advanced standing
Approved Electives (9 hours chosen from the following courses):
ACCT 320 - Accounting for Decision Making and Control (3 hours)
The use of accounting information to assist management in planning, analyzing, and implementing processes for decision making and control. Focus is on operational control in contemporary business contexts.
Prerequisites: ACCT 220 and 260 with a grade of C or better; junior standing; advanced standing
BLAW 636 - Law of Business Associations (3 hours)
Law of agency, partnerships, and corporations. Considers the organizational and relational aspects of both small, closely held businesses and large corporate enterprises.
Prerequisites: junior standing, advanced standing
ENTR/MKT 403 - Marketing Research (3 hours)
Studies the design and implementation of research procedures that support systematic and objective decision making for marketing planning and strategy development.
Prerequisites: ECON 231 and 232, MKT 300; junior standing; advanced standing
ENTR/MKT 420 - Developing a Marketing Plan ( 3 hours)
Emphasizes the analysis and tools required in the development of a marketing plan for a new or exisiting organization. With extensive use of traditional and web-based research, students develop a marekting plan that positions the firm to achieve a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Prerequisites: ENTR 310C, MKT 300 or instructor's consent; junior standing; advanced standing
ENTR 481 - Cooperative Education (1-3 hours)
An academic program that expands a student's learning experiences through paid employment in a supervised educational work setting related to the student's major field of study or career focus. Offered Credit/NonCredit only.
Prerequisites: Junior standing; 2.25 GPA
ENTR 491 - Independent Study in Entrepreneurship (1-5 hours)
Offered Credit/NonCredit only. Closed to graduate credit.
Prerequisites: Junior standing; advanced standing; 2.75 GPA in entrepreneurship courses; departmental consent
ENTR 492 - Internship in Entrepreneurship (1-3 hours)
Offered Credit/NonCredit only.
Prerequisites: Junior standing; advanced standing; 2.75 GPA in entrepreneurship courses; departmental consent
ENTR 605 - Technology Entrepreneurship (3 hours)
An exploration of the transformation of knowledge into useful products and services. Teams of students asses intellectual property for its commercial potential in terms of licensing and/or venture development. Students gain familiarity with concepts in the commercialization process and are provided hands-on experiences applying the concepts to current intellectual property, technology, and inventions. Market validation, opportunity recognition, and intellectual property protection patents, copyright, trade-secret are central issues to which students are exposed and will employ in the commercial-potential evaluation process.
Prerequisite: Junior standing
ENTR/MKT 606 - New Product & Technology Development (3 hours)
The innovative transformation of knowledge into commercial products and services. Teams of students will assess real technologies for their commercial potential in termsof licensing and/or venture development. Examines concepts associated with new product and technology commercialization. Concepts are introduced that improve and accelerate the commercialization process, from decisions made by scientists at the research bench, through the development, patenting, and licensing of new technologies, to the formation of entrepreneurial enterprises.
Prerequisite: ENTR 310
ENTR/MKT 608 - Selling and Sales Force Management (3 hours)
Analysis of current behavioral concepts of personal selling and the problems and policies involved in managing a sales force.
Prerequisites: MKT 300; junior standing; advanced standing
ENTRE 610 - Short-term Financial Management (3 hours)
An introduction to short-term financial management. Includes bank balances, compensation and payment systems, cash management systems, corporate liquidity, receivables, and payables management, inventories, and international short-term finance.
Prerequisites: FIN 340; junior standing; advanced standing
Entre 690 - Special Topics in Entrepreneurship (3 hours)
Advanced course with in-depth study of emerging topics in entrepreneurship. Repeatable with instructor's consent.
Prerequisites: ENTR 310; junior standing; advanced standing; departmental consent
ENTRE 690S - Project SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise)
FIN 440 - Financial Management II (3 hours)
Studies long-term financing decisions and financial planning. Also includes working capital management, mergers and acquisitions, and international financial management.
Prerequisites: FIN 340; junior standing; advanced standing
HRM 466 - Fundamentals of Human Resource Management (3 hours)
An analysis of the functions of human resource management, including human resource planning, recruiting, selection, appraisal of performance, training, compensation systems, employee/labor relations, and workplace health, safety, and security. Ethical issues in these functions are included. Covers relevant economic, regulatory, and global influences on human resource management.
Prerequisites: MGMT 360; junior standing; advanced standing
MGMT 462 - Leading and Motivating (3 hours)
Studies theories of human motivation and adaptation of these theories to programs in organizations. Probes concepts of authority and delegation and analyzes leadership styles.
Prerequisites: MGMT 360; junior standing; advanced standing
MKT 404 - Retail Management (3 hours)
An examination of the essential principles and practices of retail business management, including site selection, store design and department layout, merchandise management, sales promotion, and customer services. Also considers the broad issues of modern marketing and financial strategies as they affect retail distribution. Clarifies new influences at work in the retailing environment.
Prerequisites: MKT 300; junior standing; advanced standing
MKT/IB 601 - International Marketing (3 hours)
Problems and procedures of marketing in foreign countries. Includes the effects of foreign cultures and marketing systems on the design of marketing programs.
Prerequisites: MKT 300; junior standing; advanced standing
MKT 607 - Promotion Management (3 hours)
An analysis of all issues involved with the promotion of an organization and its products or services. Students develop coordinated marketing strategies in the areas of advertising, personal sales, public relations, and special promotional activities such as direct marketing, interactive media, and sales promotions.
Prerequisites: MKT 300; junior standing; advanced standing
RE 310 - Principles of Real Estate (3 hours)
Provides a practical introduction to real estate markets and decision making for students of all backgrounds and career goals. Special emphasis is placed on how individuals and businesses interact with real estate on a daily basis. Topics include urban development and growth patterns, zoning and other restrictions on land use, the real estate sales process, mortgage finance, appraisal, business location decisions, and the basics of real estate investment.
Prerequisite: Junior standing
Graduate Courses
ENTR/MKT 606 - New Product & Technology Development (3 hours)
The innovative transformation of knowledge into commercial products and services. Teams of students will assess real technologies for their commercial potential in termsof licensing and/or venture development. Examines concepts associated with new product and technology commercialization. Concepts are introduced that improve and accelerate the commercialization process, from decisions made by scientists at the research bench, through the development, patenting, and licensing of new technologies, to the formation of entrepreneurial enterprises.
Prerequisite: ENTR 310
ENTR/MKT 608 - Selling and Sales Force Management (3 hours)
Analysis of current behavioral concepts of personal selling and the problems and policies involved in managing a sales force.
Prerequisites: MKT 300; junior standing; advanced standing
ENTRE 610 - Short-term Financial Management (3 hours)
An introduction to short-term financial management. Includes bank balances, compensation and payment systems, cash management systems, corporate liquidity, receivables, and payables management, inventories, and international short-term finance.
Prerequisites: FIN 340; junior standing; advanced standing
ENTR 620 - Growing and Managing an Entrepreneurial Firm (3 hours)
Focuses on the organization, operation, marketing, and financial management of an ongoing entrepreneurial firm. Emphasizes the strategic management of growth associated with a rapidly changing business, as distinguished from "small business management," which could include small enterprise units that are static. Teaches the practical aspects of managing a growing business on a day-to-day basis. Practical application to "intrapreneurship," such as growing a division or department within a larger organization.
Prerequisites: ENTR 310; junior standing; advanced standing
ENTR 668 - Developing a Successful Business Plan (3 hours)
Emphasizes the development of a comprehensive business plan which incorporates financial and organizational principles associated with entrepreneurial finance including financial structuring of the firm, pro forma development of financial statements and the capitalization of the firm. Explains and illustrates strategies for exiting and harvesting the business.
Prerequisites: ENTR 440, 455; junior standing; advanced standing
ENTR 690 - Special Topics in Entrepreneurship (3 hours)
Advanced course with in-depth study of emerging topics in entrepreneurship. Repeatable with instructor's consent.
Prerequisites: ENTR 310; junior standing; advanced standing; departmental consent
ENTR 750 - Workshop in Entrepreneurship (3 hours)
Prerequisite: Junior standing
ENTR/MKT 806 - Seminar in New Product & Technology Development (3 hours)
The innovative transformation of knowledge into commercial products and services. Teams of students will assess real technologies for their commercial potential in terms of licensing and/or venture development. Examines concepts associated with new product and technology commercialization. Concepts are introduced that improve and accelerate the commercialization process, from decisions made by scientists at the research bench, through the development, patenting, and licensing of new technologies, to the formation of entrepreneurial enterprises.
Not open to students with credit in ENTR/MKT 606.
ENTR/MGMT 812 - Introduction to Total Quality Management (3 hours)
Introduces the philosphy of quality improvement and compares/contrasts these views with traditional management thought. Also introduces the basic components of the quality improvement process. Includes application exercises in quality improvement techniques and experience with team concept.
ENTR 855 - Entrepreneurial Finance Seminar (3 hours)
Looks indepth at the financial side of starting, maintaining, and (perhaps) ultimately, exiting a small and/or new business venture. Begins with an overview of the entrepreneurial process, highlighting the importance of finance in the many facets of running a business. Topics include: the measure and evaluation of financial performance; consideration of the various sources of capital available to companies; valuation of business ventures and associated securities laws; venture capital; and the options available for exiting a business.
ENTR 868 - Business Plan Development (3 hours)
Provides graduate students the opportunity to develop a comprehensive business plan for an entrepreneurial business experience, such as a new start-up business, acquiring an existing business, or expanding an established business into new products/services, or new markets. Heavy emphasis on the financial aspects of the business plan, including identification of antificpated financial outcomes, as well as downside risks and upside potential; and, what plans can be developed to offset the downside risks, while capitalizing on the upside potentials.
Not open to students with credit in ENTR 668.
ENTR 869 - Corporate Entrepreneurship (3 hours)
Addresses trends, current status, and success factors in the area of innovation and entrepreneurship within organizations. Examines principles applicable to any organization, large or small, private or public, by those peopel who wish to create change and innovate with in the existing structure. Covers (1) foundations of entrepreneurship; (2) barriers to change; (3) entrepreneurial charactereistics of individuals; (4) creative thinking and forced ideation methods; (5) corporate entrepreneurship - the need for it, definition, methods, favorable environment, and rewards; (6) examples of corporate entrepreneurship; (7) entrepreneurial strategies, policies, and practices for organizations; and (8) the entrepreneurial society, a growing way of life.
ENTR 890 - Seminar in Special Topics (1-3 hours)
Repeatable with instructor's consent.
ENTR 891 - Directed Studies (1-5 hours)
Prerequisite: instructor's consent