Have you ever dreamed of starting your own business? Small businesses are a major factor in the health of the American economy, making up the majority of all businesses and providing employment for almost half of the nation’s labor force.
In the Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship program, you can learn how to successfully create and operate a new venture. Students who want to work in entrepreneurial areas in large businesses also will benefit from the marketing, management, communication, economics, finance, accounting, and information systems curriculum. Specialized courses, an applied experience, internship opportunities, and interaction with knowledgeable business leaders offer students the experiences needed for small business ownership and innovative managerial work.
Pam Wright (B.S. '73) embarked on her entrepreneurial adventure in 1981 when she opened Wright Travel Agency in Nashville. Today Wright Travel boasts 28 locations in seven states with annual sales of $128 million. In 2007, Pam pledged $1.25 million to MTSU to establish the Pam Wright Endowed Chair in Entrepreneurship. She is a member of the 2009 class of Tennessee's “Women of Influence” and an MTSU Distinguished Alumna.
Each year the Jones College of Business hosts the Business Plan Competition, which awards over $27,000 in prize money to aspiring entrepreneurs. Prominent early-stage company investors, entrepreneurs and business leaders from the Middle Tennessee area judge presentations by the finalists. It is designed to help students and alumni in launching new business ventures, including for-profit businesses, not-for-profit businesses, corporate entrepreneurship, and social enterprise.
Due to the dual focus on business development and business ownership, MTSU alumni hold positions that include, among many others:
Entrepreneurship is an interdisciplinary major offered by the Department of Management. A Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) degree is offered with a major in Entrepreneurship. Major courses include entrepreneurship, new-venture creation, business-plan development, and small-business management. The degree includes a Business Administration minor. An interdisciplinary minor also is available in Entrepreneurship.
For complete curriculum details, click on the REQUIREMENTS button to the right.
Other majors offered by the Department of Management are Business Administration and Management and Leadership.
Undergraduate students can pursue minors in Entrepreneurship, Management, Leadership Studies, Business Administration, and Not-For-Profit Management.
Those who complete a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) degree may enter the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) program.
Management
615-898-5770
Joshua Aaron, program coordinator
Joshua.Aaron@mtsu.edu
The major in Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship offers preparation to students for successful venture creation and implementation and provides them opportunities to acquire the necessary operational knowledge to start a new enterprise and to study business communication, marketing, finance, management, economics, accounting, and information systems from an entrepreneurial perspective. The curriculum is flexible-students may tailor the program to fit specific needs while acquiring the business background necessary for pursuing entrepreneurial goals. Successful business professionals contribute to the program and an advisory board of recognized entrepreneurial leaders mentors students. Specialized courses, an internship, and interaction with acknowledged business leaders are intended to provide the impetus to start and operate a successful business.
A major in Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship consists of 30 hours, 50 percent of which must be taken in residence at MTSU.
The program below includes a Business Administration minor. An alternate business minor may be chosen, but it may require total hours for graduation to exceed 120.
Following is a printable, suggested four-year schedule of courses:
Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship, B.B.A., Academic Map
| General Education | 41 hours |
| College of Business Core | 42 hours* |
| Major Requirements | 30 hours |
| Auxiliary Course | 3 hours* |
| Business Course | 3 hours |
| Electives | 1-7 hours |
| TOTAL | 120 hours |
*This program requires courses that can also fulfill requirements of the General Education curriculum. If program requirements are also used to fulfill General Education requirements, the number of elective hours will increase.
General Education requirements (shown in curricular listings below) include courses in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences.
The following courses required by the program meet General Education requirements:
All students must complete the College of Business Core which requires 42 hours with a 2.000 GPA.
3 credit hours
Theories and practices of starting and operating an entrepreneurial business. Topics include idea generation, opportunity recognition, feasibility analysis, business plan development, competitor analysis, new venture team building, start-up marketing, and growth strategies.
3 credit hours
(Same as MGMT 3600.) Prerequisite: Admission to the College of Business; junior standing. Focuses on innovation and entrepreneurial endeavors in corporate environments as well as in new ventures. Specific attention is given to the creative process, innovative thinking, sources of opportunity, design-thinking, team-based innovation, commercialization, intellectual property, and innovation plans in the entrepreneurial setting.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: ENTR 2900 or MGMT 3610; junior standing; admission to the College of Business. Examines the process of new venture formation. Topics include recognizing and testing opportunity, developing the business concept, analyzing risks, and financing the new venture.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: ENTR 2900; ENTR 3650; junior standing; admission into the College of Business. Development of a comprehensive business plan detailing all facets of a proposed venture with an emphasis on using the plan for loan acquisition and venture implementation.
3 credit hours
(Same as ENTR 3040.) Prerequisites: ENTR 2900; junior standing; admission into the College of Business. Focuses on tools, processes, systems, and practices used by entrepreneurs to manage resources. Specific focus on cash budgeting, working capital management, sources of capital, and financial analysis/forecasting for the small business/startup
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: ENTR 2900; admission into College of Business; junior standing. Applied study of marketing skills necessary to create a new business venture. Students will gain experience completing various marketing tasks that are important to new business startups.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship major or Entrepreneurship minor; senior standing; overall grade point average of at least 2.50; admission into the College of Business. Student affiliated with an organization on a part-time basis to develop knowledge and experience in the practical application of theory to actual business problems in a non-classroom situation. Can be taken only one time.
3 credit hours
(Same as MGMT 4920.) Prerequisites: MGMT 3610 or FIN 3040 or ENTR 3040 and admission to the College of Business. Analysis of problems and considerations involved in planning, organizing, and operating small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures. Emphasis on environmental issues, growth strategies, process management activities, and human resource management.
3 credit hours
(Same as ENTR 4920.) Prerequisites: MGMT 3610 or FIN 3040 or ENTR 3040 and admission to the College of Business. Analysis of problems and considerations involved in planning, organizing, and operating small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures. Emphasis on environmental issues, growth strategies, process management activities, and human resource management.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: ENTR 2900 or MGMT 3610; junior standing; admission into the College of Business; or permission of instructor. Analysis of issues unique to family enterprises. Issues can include governance, succession, family dynamics, trust, and conflict among others.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior level; MGMT 3620; and admission to the Jones College of Business. Technologies for products and services, learning from failure, idea generation/screening, management structures that promote innovation, as well as cost justification of new technologies. Examines the management of the process of forecasting, acquiring, and integrating emerging technologies into the firm's products/services and processes. Typical innovation areas include rapid prototyping/small lot production, last mile delivery, distribution, safety and productivity, entertainment/training, and medical. Course structure may vary.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Admission to College of Business. An overview of social entrepreneurs who have the purpose of producing a social benefit through a variety of organizational structures including non-profit, for-profit, and hybrid business models. Focuses on the challenges associated with responding to these social needs, including organizational mission, funding, operational execution, and sustainability.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Two years of high school algebra and a Math Enhanced ACT greater than 25 or MATH 1710. Topics include solving systems of linear equations, Leontief models, linear programming, mathematics of finance, set theory, and probability theory. [TBR Common Course: MATH 1630]
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: MATH Enhanced ACT 19 or greater or MATH 1710. Introduces mathematical modeling applied to real-world problems. Sets, functions, inverse models, limits, continuity, first and second order model building, single variable differentiation, implicit differentiation, inverse problems (exponential and log models). First and second derivatives used to study the behavior of real-world applications.
Curricular listings include General Education requirements in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences categories.
3 credit hours
The first General Education English course. Emphasis on learning to adapt composing processes to a variety of expository and analytic writing assignments. Minimum grade of C- required to meet degree requirements.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Two years of high school algebra and a Math Enhanced ACT greater than 25 or MATH 1710. Topics include solving systems of linear equations, Leontief models, linear programming, mathematics of finance, set theory, and probability theory. [TBR Common Course: MATH 1630]
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: MATH Enhanced ACT 19 or greater or MATH 1710. Introduces mathematical modeling applied to real-world problems. Sets, functions, inverse models, limits, continuity, first and second order model building, single variable differentiation, implicit differentiation, inverse problems (exponential and log models). First and second derivatives used to study the behavior of real-world applications.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: ENGL 1010. The second General Education English course. Emphasis on analytic and argumentative writing and on locating, organizing, and using library resource materials in the writing. Minimum grade of C- required to meet degree requirements.
3 credit hours
As an aid to understanding modern economic society: economic concepts of national income and its fluctuations, inflation, unemployment, role of the banking system, monetary and fiscal policies, and international topics.
3 credit hours
Introduces principles and processes of effective public oral communication including researching, critical thinking, organizing, presenting, listening, and using appropriate language. Counts as part of the General Education Communication requirement. TBR Common Course: COMM 2025
3 credit hours
Theories and practices of starting and operating an entrepreneurial business. Topics include idea generation, opportunity recognition, feasibility analysis, business plan development, competitor analysis, new venture team building, start-up marketing, and growth strategies.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020. Traces a specific theme or idea through a number of literary texts that reflect different historical and cultural contexts. Subject will vary.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020. The reading of a variety of literary types which illuminate themes and experiences common to human existence.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020. Representative works of French, German, and Hispanic authors in English translation. No foreign-language proficiency required. Carries General Education credit.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: A college-level math course; ENGL 1010; sophomore standing. Financial accounting for proprietorships with emphasis on the accounting cycle for service and merchandising organizations. Additional topics include accounting for receivables; inventories; property, plant, and equipment; and current liabilities. (Not open to students with credit in ACTG 3000.) [Same as TBR Community Colleges ACCT 1010.]
3 credit hours
As an aid to understanding modern economic society: economic concepts of consumer and firm behavior; the pricing of goods, services, and productive factors; international topics; and an overview of the American economy.
3 credit hours
Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. Discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2010
3 credit hours
Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. Discusses the era from 1877 to the present. May be used to satisfy one part of the the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2020
3 credit hours
The role of the state in the development of the nation. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement. TBR Common Course: HIST 2030
3 credit hours
The role of African Americans in establishing and shaping the American nation. Covers their historical development and contributions to American art, music, literature, and religion. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement.
NOTE: HIST 2040 is not a prerequisite for HIST 2050.
3 credit hours
The role of African Americans in shaping the American nation and creating a twentieth-century racial identity. Covers their historical development and examines their contributions to American art, music, literature, and religion. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement.
3 credit hours
Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. Discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2010
3 credit hours
Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. Discusses the era from 1877 to the present. May be used to satisfy one part of the the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2020
3 credit hours
The role of the state in the development of the nation. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement. TBR Common Course: HIST 2030
3 credit hours
The role of African Americans in establishing and shaping the American nation. Covers their historical development and contributions to American art, music, literature, and religion. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement.
NOTE: HIST 2040 is not a prerequisite for HIST 2050.
3 credit hours
The role of African Americans in shaping the American nation and creating a twentieth-century racial identity. Covers their historical development and examines their contributions to American art, music, literature, and religion. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: ACTG 2110. NOTE: Students majoring in accounting or considering an accounting major/minor should take ACTG 2125. A continuation of financial accounting concepts with emphasis on debt and equity structures, the statement of cash flows, and ratio analysis. Managerial accounting topics include job, standard- and activity-based costing, cost/volume/profit (CVP) analysis, and budgeting. (Not open to students with credit in ACTG 2125 or ACTG 3000.) [Same as TBR Community Colleges ACCT 1020.]
3 credit hours
The application of collecting, summarizing, and analyzing data to make business decisions. Topics include measures of central tendency, variation, probability theory, point and interval estimation, correlation and regression. Computer applications emphasized.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Concepts of the management functions of planning, organizing, and controlling with an emphasis on behavioral science concepts as applied to managing people in organizations.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Survey of the functions, processes, and institutions involved in the distribution of consumer and industrial goods and services. Decision making in marketing management introduced.
3 credit hours
(Same as MGMT 3600.) Prerequisite: Admission to the College of Business; junior standing. Focuses on innovation and entrepreneurial endeavors in corporate environments as well as in new ventures. Specific attention is given to the creative process, innovative thinking, sources of opportunity, design-thinking, team-based innovation, commercialization, intellectual property, and innovation plans in the entrepreneurial setting.
3 credit hours
(Same as ENTR 3600.) Prerequisite: Admission to the College of Business; junior standing.Focuses on innovation and entrepreneurial endeavors in corporate environments as well as in new ventures. Specific attention is given to the creative process, innovative thinking, sources of opportunity, design-thinking, team-based innovation, commercialization, intellectual property, and innovation plans in the entrepreneurial setting.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: BIA 2610 or MATH 1530, junior standing. Introduces the concepts and application of data analytics in business. Spreadsheet software and associated analytic tools utilized to visualize, model, and analyze business data using a hands-on-approach.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: ENTR 2900 or MGMT 3610; junior standing; admission into the College of Business; or permission of instructor. Analysis of issues unique to family enterprises. Issues can include governance, succession, family dynamics, trust, and conflict among others.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Admission to College of Business. An overview of social entrepreneurs who have the purpose of producing a social benefit through a variety of organizational structures including non-profit, for-profit, and hybrid business models. Focuses on the challenges associated with responding to these social needs, including organizational mission, funding, operational execution, and sustainability.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior level; MGMT 3620; and admission to the Jones College of Business. Technologies for products and services, learning from failure, idea generation/screening, management structures that promote innovation, as well as cost justification of new technologies. Examines the management of the process of forecasting, acquiring, and integrating emerging technologies into the firm's products/services and processes. Typical innovation areas include rapid prototyping/small lot production, last mile delivery, distribution, safety and productivity, entertainment/training, and medical. Course structure may vary.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: ENTR 2900; admission into College of Business; junior standing. Applied study of marketing skills necessary to create a new business venture. Students will gain experience completing various marketing tasks that are important to new business startups.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Junior standing and major in the Jones College of Business. Uses the proven content and design of The Dale Carnegie Course(R), which includes lecture, in-class activities, reflective exercises, and interactive experiences. Helps students develop self confidence and leadership ability; strengthen ability to relate to and to motivate others; enhance ability to communicate effectively, reduce stress, and present a positive attitude. A Dale Carnegie(R) certificate of completion is a requirement for earning a passing grade (D- or better [0.67 or higher]). May not be audited. Must be taken for a grade.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Focuses on the integration between supply chain operations strategies/decisions and their impact on other business functions in an organization. Examines operations management concepts using a global supply chain perspective. Covers topics such as inventory management, lean/just in time, project management, and supply-demand matching. Overarching goal of using supply chain operations strategies to develop a business competitive advantage reinforced. This is a writing-intensive course.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Theory of corporate finance, emphasizing wealth creation, valuation, risk, capital budgeting, and cost of capital.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Legal rights and potential liabilities of business persons. Presentation of the dynamic nature of law in responding to the changing social, ethical, political, regulatory, and international environment. Includes the development and nature of the legal system; business crimes; the law of torts and product liability; constitutional limitations on regulatory powers; legislative, judicial, and administrative control of business activity through the laws of business organizations, securities regulations, antitrust laws, employment laws, labor and safety laws, and consumer protection.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: ENTR 2900 or MGMT 3610; junior standing; admission to the College of Business. Examines the process of new venture formation. Topics include recognizing and testing opportunity, developing the business concept, analyzing risks, and financing the new venture.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Focuses on information systems within organizations. Addresses how information technology (IT) supports business operations and management. Topics include strategic uses of IT, business intelligence, databases, decision support, artificial intelligence, e-business, systems development, IT infrastructure, security emerging trends and inherent social, ethical, and legal considerations. Excel spreadsheet design and data analysis for decision making key components.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship major or Entrepreneurship minor; senior standing; overall grade point average of at least 2.50; admission into the College of Business. Student affiliated with an organization on a part-time basis to develop knowledge and experience in the practical application of theory to actual business problems in a non-classroom situation. Can be taken only one time.
3 credit hours
(Same as FIN 3040.) Prerequisites: ENTR 2900; admission to the College of Business; junior standing. Focuses on tools, processes, systems, and practices used by entrepreneurs to manage resources. Specific focus on cash budgeting, working capital management, sources of capital, and financial analysis/forecasting for the small business/startup.
3 credit hours
(Same as ENTR 3040.) Prerequisites: ENTR 2900; junior standing; admission into the College of Business. Focuses on tools, processes, systems, and practices used by entrepreneurs to manage resources. Specific focus on cash budgeting, working capital management, sources of capital, and financial analysis/forecasting for the small business/startup
3 credit hours
(Same as MGMT 4920.) Prerequisites: MGMT 3610 or FIN 3040 or ENTR 3040 and admission to the College of Business. Analysis of problems and considerations involved in planning, organizing, and operating small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures. Emphasis on environmental issues, growth strategies, process management activities, and human resource management.
3 credit hours
(Same as ENTR 4920.) Prerequisites: MGMT 3610 or FIN 3040 or ENTR 3040 and admission to the College of Business. Analysis of problems and considerations involved in planning, organizing, and operating small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures. Emphasis on environmental issues, growth strategies, process management activities, and human resource management.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: ENTR 2900; ENTR 3650; junior standing; admission into the College of Business. Development of a comprehensive business plan detailing all facets of a proposed venture with an emphasis on using the plan for loan acquisition and venture implementation.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Admission into the College of Business; must be taken after completion of the business requirements and in the semester in which the student graduates. Development of top management perspective with emphasis on policy and strategy formulation and evaluation through the demonstration of competence in handling multifunctional business problems. Transfer credit not allowed; must be taken in residence.
*2.25 GPA required in these courses for admission to Jones College of Business
§ Admission required
Our adjunct faculty bring outstanding professional experience to our programs. Many are industry leaders with decorated careers and honors. Importantly, they are innovative educators who offer hands-on learning to our students to prepare them to enter and thrive in a dynamic, and oftentimes emerging, industry and professional world. They inspire, instruct, and challenge our students toward academic and professional success.
Theories and practices of starting and operating an entrepreneurial business. Topics include idea generation, opportunity recognition, feasibility analysis, business plan development, competitor analysis, new venture team building, start-up marketing, and growth strategies.
(Same as FIN 3040.) Prerequisites: ENTR 2900; admission to the College of Business; junior standing. Focuses on tools, processes, systems, and practices used by entrepreneurs to manage resources. Specific focus on cash budgeting, working capital management, sources of capital, and financial analysis/forecasting for the small business/startup.
(Same as MGMT 3600.) Prerequisite: Admission to the College of Business; junior standing. Focuses on innovation and entrepreneurial endeavors in corporate environments as well as in new ventures. Specific attention is given to the creative process, innovative thinking, sources of opportunity, design-thinking, team-based innovation, commercialization, intellectual property, and innovation plans in the entrepreneurial setting.
Prerequisites: ENTR 2900 or MGMT 3610; junior standing; admission to the College of Business. Examines the process of new venture formation. Topics include recognizing and testing opportunity, developing the business concept, analyzing risks, and financing the new venture.
Prerequisite: ENTR 2900 or MGMT 3610; junior standing; admission into the College of Business; or permission of instructor. Analysis of issues unique to family enterprises. Issues can include governance, succession, family dynamics, trust, and conflict among others.
Prerequisite: Admission to College of Business. An overview of social entrepreneurs who have the purpose of producing a social benefit through a variety of organizational structures including non-profit, for-profit, and hybrid business models. Focuses on the challenges associated with responding to these social needs, including organizational mission, funding, operational execution, and sustainability.
Prerequisites: ENTR 2900; ENTR 3650; junior standing; admission into the College of Business. Development of a comprehensive business plan detailing all facets of a proposed venture with an emphasis on using the plan for loan acquisition and venture implementation.
(Same as MGMT 4920.) Prerequisites: MGMT 3610 or FIN 3040 or ENTR 3040 and admission to the College of Business. Analysis of problems and considerations involved in planning, organizing, and operating small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures. Emphasis on environmental issues, growth strategies, process management activities, and human resource management.
Prerequisites: Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship major or Entrepreneurship minor; senior standing; overall grade point average of at least 2.50; admission into the College of Business. Student affiliated with an organization on a part-time basis to develop knowledge and experience in the practical application of theory to actual business problems in a non-classroom situation. Can be taken only one time.
The Entrepreneurship Program's mission is to provide education about the roles and contributions of entrepreneurs in economic development and job creation and to foster the growth and development of entrepreneurship.
Program objectives Include:
This program is available .
Contact your department / program coordinator or advisor for more details about the program OR work one-on-one with your advisor to explore your options.
With over 25 years of experience in online teaching and learning, MTSU Online offers students access to innovative, high-quality programs. Designed with students in mind, our courses allow maximum flexibility for those unable to participate in person.
Resources and services for online students are available from MTSU Online or contact us at distance@mtsu.edu.
