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Field of Study: Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

Introduction

Entrepreneurial and small business operations programs prepare people to manage a small business or franchise. Students learn how to make a business plan and find start-up funds. They also learn about laws, taxes, and how to manage a staff.

Overview


Over the past 20 years, the number of small businesses in the U.S. has increased by almost 50 percent. Over 22 million small businesses are in operation today. That means there are lots of opportunities for you if you want to run your own operation.


How do you get started in running your own business? How do you figure out what people want to buy? How do you organize an efficient operation that can charge a competitive price and still make a profit? How do you choose a good location for the business? How do you get a bank to invest in your big idea? How do you do the taxes? Should you incorporate your business or not?

You may be able to solve these problems with no formal education beyond high school. You can learn a lot by working in a small business and watching what the boss does. But some college courses in business can smooth out many of the bumps on your highway to small business success. At your local community college, you may find a course in small business management or franchise operation. Courses in marketing and accounting can also be useful.

It is also possible to get a degree in entrepreneurial and small business operations. Over 40 colleges offer a two-year associate degree in this field. And you can pursue a bachelor's degree in this field at about 70 four-year colleges. Sometimes you can focus on this topic within a general management program. If you'd like to get a master's degree in this field, your best option is to concentrate on this area as part of a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) degree.

College preparation

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

  • Business Math
  • Accounting
  • Introduction to Business
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Business and Applied English
  • Public Speaking

Graduate admissions

Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree, good grades, and good test scores. It is possible to study a business specialization even though your undergraduate major is not business-related. But you should complete courses in accounting, economics, statistics, business law, and management information systems.

Prior work experience in the small business world is very helpful, and may be required for MBA programs.

Additional requirements at some schools include:

  • Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Interview

Typical course work

An associate degree program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

  • Business Law
  • Business Software Applications
  • Business Writing
  • Developing a Business Plan
  • Entrepreneurial Finance
  • Introduction to Accounting
  • Introduction to Marketing
  • Principles of Economics
  • Psychology
  • Service Management
  • Small Business Management



A bachelor's degree program covers the same subjects, plus more detail in some areas and more liberal arts courses. MBA programs typically cover many of the subjects listed above in the first year. In the second year, you choose subjects in the area where you want to specialize. Often you do an internship between the first and second years. A thesis also may be required.

Things to know

You are likely to learn spreadsheet and database software in this program. It can be helpful to learn this software before you begin the program.

Many academic programs in this field include an internship so that you can get experience in a small business setting. Because small businesses often deal a lot with the public, you should try to gain experience working with people from many different backgrounds.

For this same reason, you should take courses in non-business subjects. A small business operates within a larger culture. You need to understand the world your business operates in.

You may hear about the master's in business administration (MBA) degree as the ticket to success in business. But this degree helps mainly in getting ahead in large businesses. It makes less sense if you want to run a small business.

Similar fields of study

Careers you may qualify for

Accountants and Auditors
Auto Body Repairers
Blue-Collar Worker Supervisors
Bricklayers and Stonemasons
Business Executives
Carpenters
Dentists
Family and General Practitioners
Fashion Designers
Fine Artists
Floral Designers
Funeral Directors
General and Operations Managers
Graphic Designers
Heating and Cooling System Mechanics
Insurance Agents
Locksmiths
Photographers
Plumbers and Pipefitters
Property and Real Estate Managers
Restaurant Managers
Sales Worker Supervisors

Resources

U.S. Small Business Administration's E-Business Institute
http://www.sba.gov/training/

Schools that offer program

Click on the school name to see a list of their programs related to this field of study.

American Indian OIC (Opportunities Industrialization Center) - Minneapolis , Located in Metro
Bethel University - St. Paul , Located in Metro
Central Lakes College - Brainerd , Located in Northwest
Central Lakes College - Staples , Located in Northwest
Century College - White Bear Lake , Located in Metro
Crown College - St. Bonifacius , Located in Metro
Dakota County Technical College - Rosemount , Located in Metro
DeVry University - Edina , Located in Metro
Dunwoody College of Technology - Minneapolis , Located in Metro
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College - Cloquet , Located in Northeast
Hennepin Technical College - Brooklyn Park , Located in Metro
Hennepin Technical College - Eden Prairie , Located in Metro
Herzing University - Minneapolis , Located in Metro
Hibbing Community College , Located in Northeast
Incubator, Inc. - St. Paul , Located in Metro
Inver Hills Community College - Inver Grove Heights , Located in Metro
Inver Hills Community College - Online - Inver Grove Heights , Located in Metro
Mesabi Range Community and Technical College - Eveleth , Located in Northeast
Mesabi Range Community and Technical College - Virginia , Located in Northeast
Minneapolis Community and Technical College , Located in Metro
Minneapolis Community and Technical College - Online , Located in Metro
Minnesota State Community and Technical College - Detroit Lakes , Located in Northwest
Minnesota State Community and Technical College - Fergus Falls , Located in Northwest
Minnesota State Community and Technical College - Moorhead , Located in Northwest
Minnesota State Community and Technical College - Online - Perham , Located in Northwest
Minnesota State Community and Technical College - Wadena , Located in Northwest
Minnesota State University Moorhead , Located in Northwest
Minnesota West Community and Technical College - Canby , Located in Southwest
Minnesota West Community and Technical College - Granite Falls , Located in Southwest
Minnesota West Community and Technical College - Jackson , Located in Southwest
Minnesota West Community and Technical College - Pipestone , Located in Southwest
Minnesota West Community and Technical College - Worthington , Located in Southwest
National American University - Bloomington , Located in Metro
National American University - Brooklyn Center , Located in Metro
National American University - Burnsville , Located in Metro
National American University - Minnetonka , Located in Metro
National American University - Rochester , Located in Southeast
National American University - Roseville , Located in Metro
Normandale Community College - Bloomington , Located in Metro
Normandale Community College - Online - Bloomington , Located in Metro
North Hennepin Community College - Brooklyn Park , Located in
North Hennepin Community College - Online - Brooklyn Park , Located in Metro
Northland Community and Technical College - East Grand Forks , Located in Northwest
Northland Community and Technical College - Thief River Falls , Located in Northwest
Northwest Technical College - Bemidji , Located in Northwest
Northwest Technical College - Online - Perham , Located in Northwest
Oak Hills Christian College - Bemidji , Located in Northwest
Pine Technical College - Pine City , Located in Central
Rasmussen College - Mankato , Located in Southwest
Ridgewater College - Hutchinson , Located in Central
Ridgewater College - Online - Hutchinson , Located in Central
Ridgewater College - Willmar , Located in Central
Riverland Community College - Albert Lea , Located in Southeast
Riverland Community College - Austin , Located in Southeast
Riverland Community College - Owatonna , Located in Southeast
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota - Winona , Located in Southeast
Saint Paul College - St. Paul , Located in Metro
South Central College - Faribault - Fairbault , Located in Southeast
South Central College - North Mankato , Located in Southeast
St. Catherine University - St. Paul , Located in Metro
St. Cloud State University , Located in Central
University of St. Thomas - St. Paul , Located in Metro
Vermilion Community College - Ely , Located in Northeast