Entrepreneurship is a process in which an individual identifies and starts a new business venture after organizing and acquiring all the resources required. Thereafter, the individual, also known as an entrepreneur, assumes full responsibility for all the risks, returns and profits associated with the business venture. Several universities in the United States offer an MBA in entrepreneurship. This degree may be offered as an online only, on-campus or a hybrid degree depending on the university or college you choose to attend.
The MBA in entrepreneurship is designed for students who aim to develop and start innovative business ventures using the latest technology. This MBA program has also been designed to train students for careers in the venture capital sector.
Prerequisites for an MBA in Entrepreneurship
If you choose to pursue an MBA in entrepreneurship program, you may have to fulfill certain admission criteria set by the university or college you choose to attend. These admission requirements may vary from university to university but generally include the following:
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A bachelor's degree from an accredited university
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An acceptable GPA
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Official transcripts from all previous academic institutions attended
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GMAT or GRE test scores
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Two or more letters of recommendation
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A personal statement that may include two or more essays
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A resume
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Some universities may ask you to come in for an interview before making the final admission decision
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Proof of English language proficiency in some cases, such as in the case of international students
Curriculum and Coursework
The curriculum of an MBA in entrepreneurship program, in addition to conceptual material, may also include case studies on companies such as Apple and Dell, so as to give the students an in-depth understanding of entrepreneurship in the real world. The coursework is designed to train students in the application of theoretical tools to real business ventures. Several universities bring in entrepreneurs and provide the students with a 'dual-track' faculty.
Coursework may vary from university to university but core courses may include:
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Innovation teams
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Building and sustaining a successful enterprise
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Entrepreneurial marketing
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Basic business law for an entrepreneur
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Entrepreneurial finance
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Engineering innovation and design
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International entrepreneurship
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Economy, entrepreneurship and strategy
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Advanced tools and techniques for building an entrepreneurial venture
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Private equity finance and venture capital
Several programs also include seminars by professional entrepreneurs on various topics relevant to the coursework in their curriculum.
Entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in the United States
Dave Girouard, former Google president of enterprise, product development, marketing and sales, and founder of Upstart, wrote an article in Forbes magazine in 2013, titled 'Does it pay to become an entrepreneur?' In the article, Dave referred to a study published in 2009, which stated that the mean income for entrepreneurs was almost 50 percent greater than that of employees.
Other successful entrepreneurial ventures in the United States include Facebook, which was a social media venture. Facebook was founded by Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Chris Hughes and Dustin Moskovitz in 2004, who all were undergraduate students at the time.
The field of early childhood education has its focus on the education of young children, who fall in the range of eight years or below. Early childhood education teachers may work in several places such as public and private schools, day-care centers, and other facilities with young children. A strong importance is focused on developing relationships with the families of young children and working in collaboration with other professionals.
Degrees in Early Childhood Education
Early childhood education degrees cover many different topics related to infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and primary aged children. Students also acquire the necessary knowledge and skills by activities such as student teaching, practical learning, and field placements. Major areas in early childhood education programs include understanding and respecting diversity among families, giving support to the roles played by families with young children, and paying attention to the needs of children in different settings.
The following are the types of programs offered in the field:
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Associate's degree program
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Bachelor's degree program
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Master's degree program
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Certificate program
The duration of degree programs may vary according to different institutes. However, an associate's degree typically takes two years to complete, while a bachelor's degree takes four years. A master's degree may take two years to earn. A certificate program in early childhood education normally takes six months or more to complete.
Coursework
Early childhood education offers a broad range of courses. The coursework offered to students may vary from one institute to another. However, the major courses that are taught in early childhood education programs may include:
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Introduction to Early Childhood Education
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Nutrition & Health of Children & Families
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Child Development
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Child, Family & Society
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Language Development in Young Children
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Early Childhood Curriculum & Methods
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Children's Literature
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Collaboration with Parents & Community
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Children & Families in a Diverse Society
Online Education
Students who are unable to attend campus based education may choose to earn their early childhood education degrees online. Working professionals and individuals with family commitments may acquire education through online programs. They could learn at their own pace and also create their own schedule. Online programs may also save on education costs, as no costs related to commuting, dorm rooms, or textbooks are incurred by students.
Careers
There are many career options for students who select the field of early childhood education. They may choose to become a certified teacher, by acquiring a bachelor's degree and then obtaining a teaching license. Individuals, who wish to start with less education, could become teaching assistants. Working as a social worker in elementary schools is also an option. A master's degree is required to become a school social worker. Those who have teaching experience in childhood education could take their career further by becoming a program administrator or director. This career requires both certifications as well as relevant experience. Another option in the field of early childhood education is to become a college professor, and teach early childhood education courses. You will normally need an advanced degree to become a professor such as a Ph.D. or Ed. D.