The associate degree in entrepreneurship will prepare you for a career as a small business owner. You will learn how to start your own business and be valuable to on going business ventures of others as a coordinator, supervisor or manager.

The courses you take will provide you with an understanding of business such as the functions of a business as well as what applications and tools are beneficial to a small business venture. You will gain a strong foundation in competencies in business. You will learn managerial skills that are necessary for the successful growth of a business venture. You will learn about organizational issues small businesses face, financial issues a business faces and the legal issues faced by a small business.

You will study techniques for leadership and how to write a business plan for a successful business. You will also be able to understand the issues that a small business faces and what customer service skills are needed for a successful business. You will learn the skills to increase business effectiveness and efficiency. You will also understand the risks of owning your own business and the rewards as well.

The courses required are about the same between the different colleges, but the titles of the courses may be different. You will need Economics, Business Law, Management, marketing, Accounting and Business Communications. You also take Entrepreneurship I and II, Small Business Essentials, Innovations in Design and Business Consulting.

Entrepreneurship I and II will introduce you to the world of business. In most courses, the student will start a business. You will take the steps to starting up a business. You will create a business by launching, developing, managing the business. Innovations of Design teaches the student roles of communication, teamwork and creativity in promoting the design of the business.

Accounting teaches the fundamentals of keeping records and tracking inventory while Business Law teaches you the legal aspects of running and maintaining a small business. Small Business Essentials prepares you to prepare a marketing plan, how to do financial planning and how to understand the management functions in a business. You also learn how to write a successful business plan that is needed by every business before start up.

The associate degree in entrepreneurship is right for you if you are a self-starter and enjoy being creative and innovative, have a desire to take calculated risks and can make decisions without second-guessing yourself. You should be able to adapt to new circumstances and situations, have a very strong work ethic and can set goals and achieve those goals. You also need the ability to lead and have self-discipline. 

Careers in Entrepreneurship

After earning your associated degree in entrepreneurship, you will be prepared to start your own business, manage a business or supervise a business. You could work as a franchises manager and business owner or work in any fields of business management. You could start a tavern, sports center, small retail store, hotel or even a restaurant.