Graduate Courses in Entrepreneurship
Undergraduate Courses for Entrepreneur Majors
Undergraduate Courses for Non-Entrepreneur Majors
Students looking for an opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial skills in a dynamic environment that simulates the real world will find what they're looking for in The Entrepreneur Program. Undergraduate and graduate level students can to do their emphasis in entrepreneurship or simply experiment in a semester course, the Entrepreneur Program offers several possibilities.
Our nationally recognized Entrepreneur Program offers students the most comprehensive, challenging, and exciting course of study available. Taking an applied approach, it prepares students to enter the business world with an entrepreneurial mindset and the skills required to recognize opportunity, develop a business concept, test that concept through feasibility analysis, and write a comprehensive business plan. The Entrepreneur Program builds on the base of business knowledge students have acquired in their Business School courses by focusing on the pre-start-up, start-up and early growth of new ventures. Students will learn how to gather the resources necessary to start and grow an entrepreneurial company.
The Entrepreneur Program features team teaching by full-time entrepreneur professors who bring a variety of entrepreneurial experiences and academic expertise to the classroom as well as entrepreneur program alumni, members of the advisory council, and other guest speakers. Whether in a full-class lecture setting, smaller workshops and seminars, fireside chats, or networking events, students will have multiple opportunities to meet and learn from faculty, advisors, alumni, and guest entrepreneurs.
The Entrepreneur Program is dedicated to bringing students cutting edge information in the field of entrepreneurship. To accomplish that goal, the program takes advantage of the wealth of technology at USC to bring students, faculty, and alumni together to share information and network through e-mail and The Entrepreneur Program website. Students will also enjoy the benefits of technology in the learning environment as they take advantage of interactive, multimedia educational experiences.
Graduate Coureses in Entrepreneurship
INTRODUCTION TO NEW VENTURES (BAEP 551)
Labeled an Introduction course, 551 should be regarded as an overview of the whole process of Entrepreneurship. Starting with the Entrepreneur, Creativity, an Idea and a Concept, we experience the Feasibility Analysis and Business Plan writing process. Distribution, selling and managing are covered from the view of the new venture. The Money Module explores cash flow analysis, venture capital and other sources of funds. Students will gain an understanding of the entire entrepreneurial process which may lead them into the Venture Management Emphasis or just learn an appreciation of how to deal with entrepreneurs and new ventures.
Open to All University Masters Level Students; Offered every semester.
FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS (BAEP 552)
This course focuses on the techniques used to create and evaluate new concepts and new business opportunities. Students study the process of Feasibility Analysis of business ventures from the time of the generation of the concept through critical concept analysis, opportunity screening and pre-feasibility analysis, to the development of the written study. Students prepare a feasibility study as a term project and may use this study as the initial step in writing the Business Plan required in BAEP 554.
Open only for Students who have completed (or are concurrently taking) BAEP 551. Offered every semester.
NEW VENTURE MANAGEMENT (BAEP 553)
You have started a new business; you have bought an early-stage company; you have inherited the family enterprise; or you are a key executive in one of these companies. As the new owner/president or key executive, how do you build a solid foundation for your new companys long-term success? This course integrates your knowledge of the functional areas of entrepreneurial business development. Its central themes are the impact and imprint of the owner/president on the company and the development of transfunctional systems that will lead to sustainable growth. Readings, discussions and weekly guest entrepreneurs will explore critical issues from ethics and personal management styles to the integration of a continuous strategic planning process.
Open to All Masters Level Students. No prerequisite required. Offered in Fall only.
This course is considered the culmination of BAEP 551 and 552. You will continue to research and refine your Feasibility Study and write a Business Plan to launch your venture. The Entrepreneur Program will provide expert resources to critique and assist in the completion of a plan which is soon to be ready for evaluation by the market place. Our goal is to prepare you for starting and running successful new or emerging enterprises.
Open only to Students who have completed (or are concurrently taking) BAEP 552. Offered in Spring only.
EMERGING COMPANY MANAGEMENT (BAEP 555 )
As owner/president or key executive in an emerging growth company, you are challenged by constant change. As your sales grow, so do the threats to your companys future success. What can you do to take your company to the next level and position it for enduring greatness? What changes are necessary in strategic focus, culture, and management style? This course focuses on the continuing development of your entrepreneurial perspective and skills, and on developing management and control systems in each critical area of the business, from customers to tax planning. Through readings, discussions and weekly guest entrepreneurs, you will explore various forms of entrepreneurial leverage to lead your emerging company to sustainable growth and profitability.
Open to All Masters Level Students. No prerequisite required. Offered in Spring only
INTRODUCTION TO NEW VENTURES (BAEP 451)
Introduces students to the basic concepts and skills required to understand the nature of entrepreneurship, recognize opportunity, and assemble the resources to start a new business.
FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS (BAEP 452)
This is a project course that guides students through the development of a new business concept and the preparation of a feasibility study to analyze the potential for market acceptance of the concept.
STARTING AND GROWING THE NEW VENTURE (BAEP 453)
This course takes the student from a feasible concept to issues related to starting and growing a new venture.
This course gives students the opportunity to study the elements of a successful business plan and to put that knowledge to work in creating a comprehensive business plan for a new venture.
FUNDAMENTALS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP (BAEP 450x)
This class meets the needs of students who may be interested in owning their own business or who just want to learn about entrepreneurship. Students may choose to develop a market feasibility study for a new business concept or do an approved project on some aspect of entrepreneurship. The class includes entrepreneur guest speakers, cases, and activities that will help students experience what its like to be an entrepreneur.
SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT (MOR 423)
This class addresses strategic, organizational, and human issues facing the small business. The influence of the founder's personality are discussed as well as managing growth and change. Competetive strengths and weaknesses are also covered.
TECHNICAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP (ENG 499)
This course focuses on the needs of engineering students who may someday want to own their own businesses. Issues of intellectual property, product development, and resource acquisition, among many other topics, will be covered.
THE TRILOGY - Three One-Unit Courses