About the Entrepreneurship Option
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"If you are at all interested in starting a business, or if you have any inclination to be your own boss in the future, I strongly encourage you to enroll in the entrepreneurship program. I started NetNerds in my sophomore year of college and it was an amazing educational experience. By running a business while taking business classes, my education became much more interesting when I was able to immediately apply them to problems and opportunities that I faced in my business. The entrepreneurship program expands on this concept, by not only providing targeted classes, but by also fostering a peer group for support, motivation and enthusiasm.” |
Kristen Berman School of Business Class of 2006, founder of UW NetNerds, and employee of Intuit, a Silicon Valley firm specializing in providing business, financial management, and tax solutions to small businesses, consumers, and accountants.
For a selection of articles on students in the entrepreneurship program, see below:
- Wisconsin State Journal - "New Major Boosts Uw's Entrepreneurial Spirit"
- Wisconsin State Journal - " UW student entrepreneurs turn big sale"
- Channel 3000 article - " UW Students Build Web Site Empire Before Graduation"
- The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - " Students juggle college classes, own companies"
Overview
The School of Business offers a degree program in entrepreneurship as an option to the undergraduate degree in Management and Human Resources.
The entrepreneurship program is designed for business students who desire to acquire skills that would enable them to start a business at some point in their careers, as well as students interested in careers in venture capital, banking, and consulting for startup and small firms.
Training in entrepreneurship for undergraduates at the University of Wisconsin includes the following components:
- Coursework
- Student Clubs
- Business plan competitions
- Starting a company
- Internship and Other Experiential Opportunities
Of the above list, only the coursework is required. However, students can greatly enhance their education by being proactive and taking advantage of the wide range of learning opportunities at the University.
As successful entrepreneurship often involves bridging markets and working with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, students are also strongly encouraged to study and experience other cultures. This can be accomplished though an organized study abroad program, a domestic or international trip, or other cultural experience.
Coursework
Coursework in the major integrates theory and practice. The program includes the involvement of respected members of the business community, including successful entrepreneurs, lawyers, venture capitalists, and service providers to entrepreneurial firms.
Required courses can be found here. While we permit students to build their degree plan around their specific circumstances, we strongly encourage students to complete the course requirements according to the following schedule:
| Junior Year | |
|---|---|
| Fall | Spring |
| No entrepreneurship courses | MHR422: Introduction to Entrepreneurship |
| Senior Year | |
| Fall | Spring |
| MHR434: Venture Creation | MHR427: Entrepreneurial Growth Strategies |
| Elective | *Fin457: Entrepreneurial Finance |
*Depending on availability, this course may be taken in either the fall or spring semesters.
Student Clubs
Student clubs offer important educational opportunities, mentoring, and networking opportunities for entrepreneurship students. At a minimum, we strongly encourage all entrepreneurship students to join the UW Entrepreneurship Association. For a listing of other student organizations relevant to entrepreneurship, click here.
Business Plan Competitions
Business plan competitions provide students with the opportunity to practice pitching ideas to others, while providing them with opportunities to secure valuable feedback on ideas that they are developing. Students are encouraged to consider business plan competitions that fit their specific interests. For example, undergraduate students with an interest in technology based businesses have competed successfully in the G. Steven Burrill technology business plan competition that is held annually in the business school. For more information, click here.
Starting a Company
Several of our students have started companies while enrolled in entrepreneurship courses. While student businesses can fail, students have reported that running a business while in school has helped gain a better understanding of business concepts covered in courses and has helped them secure jobs upon graduation.
Internship and Other Experiential Opportunities
Opportunities for internships with various new business ventures, working with faculty on research projects, and participating on business plan competition teams are often available for students in the program. If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please contact Jon Eckhardt or Loren Kuzuhara for more information.