Western Carolina University

Learning Objectives

Students completing the Master of Entrepreneurship degree will learn how to:

• Be innovative and creative thinkers who will recognize entrepreneurial opportunities and recognize when entrepreneurial opportunities can be created.
• Create and establish successful entrepreneurial ventures.
• Lead entrepreneurial ventures.
• Develop and maintain an ethical culture within an entrepreneurial venture.
• Communicate effectively with the internal constituencies of an entrepreneurial venture, including officers, managers, employees, and agents.
• Communicate effectively with the external constituencies of an entrepreneurial venture, including customers, investors, lenders, suppliers, and regulatory agencies.
• Build and grow successful entrepreneurial ventures.
• Maintain and harvest entrepreneurial ventures successfully.

Curriculum

There are three sets of courses in the M.E. program

1. An integrated set of classes focusing on developing an actional business plan. An actionalble business plan is one that can help you raise money and effectively run the business
2. A set of classes that use a business simulation to give you experience with running a startup. The simulation is enhanced by requiring students to solicit funds and present results as they would to a venture capitalist.
3. A set of classes to provide tools for running a startup, including incorporation paperwork, HR manuals and promotional materials.  

ENTREPRENEURIAL PLANNING (ENT 600)

Introductory course that provides an overview and some of the tools necessary for new venture creation and management. Course requires the completion of case studies that deal with venture planning.

ENTREPRENEURIAL INNOVATION (ENT 601)

Examination of invention, enhancement, originality, divergent thinking, and innovation in research, development, enhancement, and strategy in businesses and organizations.

Course requires the completion of a creative project.

ENTREPRENEURIAL CREATION (ENT 610)

Examination of the resources, demand, industry, and competitive forces and strategies required for successful entrepreneurial activities.

Course requires the completion of a vision statement.

ENTREPRENEURIAL GROWTH (ENT 630)

Venture expansion analysis, global competitiveness, development of distinctive competencies, and growth potential, including e-commerce and international operations.

Course requires the completion of case studies that deal with leadership issues.

ENTREPRENEURIAL FINANCE (ENT 640)

Financial forecasting to include pro forma cash flow development and the design and development of reporting systems.

Course requires the development of pro forma financial statements necessary for a new venture launch and the demonstration of the feasibility of that venture.

ENTREPRENEURIAL MARKETING (ENT 645)

Methods of creating and delivering a marketing plan using media and online approaches. Course requires the development of marketing plan, markete analysis, collateral material and online promotions.

ADVANCED ENTREPRENEURIAL FINANCE (ENT 650)

Financial statements analysis, performance and sensitivity analysis and sources and types of debt and equity financing.

Course requires the completion of harvesting plan – go public, ESOP, merger, etc.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP (ENT 655)

Culmination of three semesters of work leading to the creation of a business plan that is capable of supporting substantial financial investment.

Course requires the completion of a business plan.

ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP (ENT 660)

Establishing and changing organizational culture, communications and leadership style, vision change and inculcation.

Course requires the completion of a research paper which develops a personal philosophy of entrepreneurial leadership

ENTREPRENEURIAL STRATEGY (ENT 670)

Strategic leadership, deliberate strategy, environmental scanning, competitive assessment, entrepreneurial vision and communication.

Course requires the completion case studies in strategic planning.

PLAN OF STUDY

Fall Admits

Fall	Spring	Summer	Fall	Spring
ENT 600	ENT 601	ENT 640	ENT 650	ENT 670
ENT 630	ENT 610	ENT 645	ENT 660	ENT 655

Spring Admits

Spring	Summer	Fall	Spring	Fall
ENT 601	ENT 640	ENT 650	ENT 670	ENT 600
ENT 610	ENT 645	ENT 660	ENT 655	ENT 630

GRADUATION

All graduates are invited to attend the graduation ceremonies on our beautiful campus in the Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina. Those that come will have the opportunity to meet other members of the cohort and to meet Dr. Carton and Dr. Lockwood. For many, this will be the first time you will meet your classmates face-to-face.