Entrepreneurial Studies

Small business is the mighty engine of the U.S. economy, providing a substantial number of employment opportunities and unlimited potential for entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship is a people-oriented career that requires excellent communication skills and the ability to work well with others. The entrepreneurial studies program at St.Mary’s is designed to prepare an individual seeking career fulfillment through the establishment of his or her own business rather than being a part of a corporate or institutional staff.

Students in the entrepreneurial studies program gain the knowledge and skills necessary to launch their own venture, analyze the market, and solve real-life problems in business. Students gain valuable organizational tools in order to focus on good project management, and to identify and capture new markets and start-up companies.

Individuals who are interested in starting a new business or purchasing an existing one should consider this major. Career opportunities in entrepreneurship include:

• Small business ownership
• Family business management
• Small-business consulting

Entrepreneurial studies graduates have gone on to work for organizations including Walt Disney Company, Rackspace Managed Hosting, Bromley Communications, State Farm Insurance, and Frost Bank.

Courses

EP 3110 The Free Enterprise System 1 sem. hour
Develops a philosophical perspective of the objectives, functions, and challenges of the American free enterprise system. Past, present and probable future of individual freedom, students learn historical perspective of economic activity and as within an ethical framework. Required of all EP majors.

EP 4100 Innovation and Creative Problem Solving 1 sem. hour
The entire development process from idea, to product development and patent, to identifying potential markets and commercialization is explored. Business opportunities through innovation and invention are identified. Unique ways to solve problems are examined. Creativity and aspects of systems thinking are used to put a new spin on existing products, markets, and problem solutions.

EP 4110 Financing the Entrepreneurial Venture 1 sem. hour
The following topics are investigated: sources of venture capital; differences between debt and equity financing; managing and differentiating between personal and business finances; understanding financial responsibilities of business ownership. Prerequisite: FN 3310

EP 4120 International Entrepreneurship 1 sem. hour
Topics covered include: global expansion of entrepreneurial ventures; methods of small business globalization, opportunities and risks of global expansion; barriers to entry; impact of globalization on all business functions. Prerequisite: IB 3321W

EP 4130 Franchising 1 sem. hour
Topics covered include: analyzing the franchising option; advantages and disadvantages of franchising; the process of franchising; sources of information.

EP 4140 Family Owned/Closely Held Businesses 1 sem. hour
Topics covered include: unique opportunities and challenges of family owned/closely held businesses; role of founder and other members; succession planning; work/personal conflict issues.

EP 4150 Law and Ethics for Entrepreneurs 1 sem. hour
Topics covered include: Unique legal issues of establishing a new venture such as licensing and zoning; legal forms of business; types of corporations; business partner relationships and contracts; protecting intellectual property rights; ethical dilemmas faced by business owners.

EP 4160 Venture Management of Technology and MIS 1 sem. hour
Topics covered include: Technology based start-ups; how to effectively use technology to manage and expand the reach of a business; using the Internet and computer software to obtain information; managing information with technology.

EP 4170 Networking and Communication for Entrepreneurs 1 sem. hour
Topics covered include: unique communication skills needed by entrepreneurs; how to establish a good network of suppliers;, customers, investors, and other business owners; how to maintain a supportive network.

EP 4180 Managerial Accounting for Entrepreneurs 1 sem. hour
Topics covered include: skills in managing inventory, operations, plant and equipment, assets and liabilities; utilizing information for decision-making, controlling, and planning. Prerequisites: AC2310, AC2320

EP 4190 Human Resources Issues for Entrepreneurs 1 sem. hour
Topics covered include: human resources planning, selection, and training; compensation management, health and safety, security, EEO, AAP, and EAP; planning for turnover, succession, and growth. Prerequisite: BA3325W

EP 4195 Marketing for Entrepreneurs 1 sem. hour
Topics include: Skills in conducting primary marketing research, surveys, sampling, and statistical analysis; advertising and promotion; product and sales control research. Prerequisite: MK3310

EP 4199 Special Topics in Entrepreneurial Studies 1 sem. hour
A study of selected topics in entrepreneurship. Specific subject is indicated each time the course is offered.

EP 4320 Management Consulting (Same as BA 4320) 3 sem. hours
Student teams act as consultants to businesses to analyze the various functions of business as they pertain to endeavors. Managerial awareness and analytical skills in business problem solving are developed. (Fall; Spring) Prerequisites: Senior standing and consent of instructor. Open only to students pursuing a B.B.A. degree.

EP 4391 Business Plan Development and New Venture Creation 3 sem. hours
Students learn how to initiate a new business venture by developing business plans, analyzing case studies, lectures, and guest speakers. Each student will develop a unique and comprehensive business plan. Prerequisites: AC2320, EC2301, EC2303, FN3310, BA3325W, MK3310.

EP 4396 Small Business Growth and Management 3 sem. hours
Students learn how to grow and manage businesses from the day they open until they are relatively mature. The business plan developed in EP 4391 can be applied in this course to discuss issues such as succession management to illustrate the principles of growth, adaptation, and change. Lectures, case studies, and speakers will be utilized. Prerequisite: AC2320, EC2301, EC2303, FN3310, BA3325W, MK3310.

EP 4397 Building World Class Ideas and Organizations 3 sem. hours
Students learn how to apply their natural strengths and interests toward creating new ventures. Sources of innovation are discussed as well as forms of capital. Each student develops a product/service idea and then learns how to build an organization around it. There is an emphasis on social entrepreneurship, which carries over into other E-Scholar classes and activities. Students will take a best practices tour and begin the mentoring component of the program. Prerequisite: Admittance into the E-Scholar Program.

EP 4375 Internship in Entrepreneurial Studies 3 sem. hours
The opportunity to gain knowledge through experiential activities in entrepreneurial businesses. Cooperation with entrepreneurs in monitoring and gaining work experience aimed at supplementing the learning process. Prerequisites: Minimum overall GPA of 2.8. Pass/No Pass credit is given. (Fall; Spring; Summer

Degree Plan

Junior Year

Fall	Spring
The Free Enterprise System	Business elective (3)
Corporate Finance	One-hour modules (3)
Manag. People & Orgs.	U.S.Bus.in Interdep.World
Principles of Marketing	Management Info. Sys.
Business Statistics	Legal Environ. of Bus.
Theology

Senior Year

Fall	Spring
Bus. Plan Devel. & New Venture Creation	Sm. Bus. Growth & Mgmt.
Management Consulting	Operations Management
Entrepreneurial Studies one-hour modules	Business Policy
Ethics	Distribution/Pricing
PL (3000/4000 ) (3)	Entrepreneurial Studies one-hour modules
	Business elective (4000) (3)

Faculty