Full-time Faculty: Ji-Hee Kim, Director; Alan G. Weinstein.
In today’s economy, one of the most exciting opportunities for building personal wealth and career fulfillment is in the area of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship involves the skills necessary to identify and evaluate opportunities, acquire capital and resources, and to start, develop and operate and, for some, sell a business. Virtually all the net growth in employment in the United States since 1975 has come from new ventures and small businesses. Small businesses are a rapidly growing component of American business, creating new technology, providing new products and services and opening the doors to financial success and career development.
Entrepreneurship Major
The entrepreneurship major at Canisius College includes the study of subjects traditional business programs rarely cover, such as how to start new business and run a small, growth company. The curriculum emphasizes the development of creativity, innovation, interpersonal skills and entrepreneurial leadership. The entrepreneurship major at Canisius offers an integrated curriculum which draws upon management, marketing and finance to provide students with a broad background in business while developing entrepreneurial skills and insights. Students learn to identify and evaluate business opportunities, acquire capital and other resources, and start, develop, grow and sell a business interest. Entrepreneurship majors are encouraged to develop a business and make it a reality. A key component of the curriculum is a year-long experience in which seniors develop business plans for a company — ideally one that they will eventually start and operate themselves. Real-world experience is part of the bedrock of a Canisius business education. In some courses, entrepreneurship majors act as consultants for small businesses. With faculty guidance, students work on projects for and advise practicing entrepreneurs. Students gain valuable insight by examining failure as well success, and often help their clients fix what is going wrong. The entrepreneurship major is career-oriented with courses built upon a business core but tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurship faculty members are drawn from many disciplines. Their enthusiasm for the field inspires them not only to teach and advise students but also to mentor them as they write their business plans. And their own consulting activities keep them engaged with the business world. Our program is designed specifically to help students create their own businesses. Students discover their innate entrepreneurial potential and gain a set of tools and perspectives to capitalize on that potential. Entrepreneurs regularly make presentations in courses.
The Canisius program prepares students to: (1) acquire an existing business, franchise or start up a new venture; (2) manage an existing family business for growth; (3) engage in intrapreneurship – the development of new products or programs or evaluation and pursuit of potential merger or acquisition within a mature corporation.
Career Opportunities
Gaining experience on their own is natural for entrepreneurship majors. Many Canisius College students start and run a business while still pursuing their degrees. A car detailing firm, a landscaping service, a small business promotional agency and a retail store are current examples. Virtually all graduates of the Canisius College entrepreneurship program are involved in their own business ventures. Many junior and senior entrepreneurship majors have actually created and run their own companies.
Internships
The entrepreneurship major at Canisius College strongly emphasizes hands-on experience in addition to a high-quality curriculum. There are many opportunities to put classroom learning into practice. The internship experience allows students to find out more about potential careers and make valuable networking contacts. For internships, entrepreneurship majors benefit from the college’s Women’s Business Center (WBC). Pairings of WBC clients and Canisius College students are win-win. Students see how entrepreneurship works in the real world, while WBC clients, many of whom do not have a business education, benefit from student assistance. Internships qualifying for three hours of academic credit are available to upper-division students majoring in entrepreneurship. These opportunities involve a work-and-study experience with faculty supervision. Many are paid and involve working with the CEO in entrepreneurial or small business. Students seeking internships for credit must meet certain departmental requirements. For further information, contact the department chair, program director, or your departmental advisor.
Outside the classroom
(1) Canisius Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO): Student members develop entrepreneurial leadership and professional communication skill through team building and teamwork as well as knowledge in entrepreneurship by planning and implementing educational outreach and experiential entrepreneurship projects. CEO teams are guided by faculty advisors and supported by businesses and not-for-profit organizations in the community; (2) NexBizSolutions: Success@Business, CEO Market Place, CEO Direct Selling and Marketing Business are student-run ventures to which entrepreneurship majors contribute. Local small business owners are invited to participate in NexBizSolutions, a CEO Market Place. This program is a bi-weekly market place that promotes small businesses whose products and services are advertised, targeted and retailed to Canisius College students, faculty, staff, and through the community; (3) Annual Empire Creativity Competition: Teams of students have an opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges and a chance to win cash prizes. Ideas may be at any stage of development from creation of concepts or ideas to an established business; (4) Women’s Business Center (WBC): Students are encouraged to develop their own businesses, both real and simulated. This practical experience is reinforced through a working relationship with the Canisius College Women’s Business Center. We encourage students to participate in outside of classroom program such as CEO during the undergraduate careers.
Dual Majors
Students are encouraged to combine entrepreneurship with another discipline for dual major. The interdisciplinary nature of the entrepreneurship makes it very effective for the students to fulfill a dual major. Science and technology fields also hold great potential for entrepreneurs. Note: To ensure that all prerequisites are met, it is especially important that majors register for the indicated entrepreneurship sections of the following courses: MKT 201 (ENT Section) and FIN 201 (ENT Section). Entrepreneurship electives include: ENT 311, 312, 314, 411, 412, 414, 496, 498, 499, MGT 307, 360, 364, 380, 434, 437, 472, MKT 474, 476, MKT 320, 390, 396. The following courses are strongly recommended as Entrepreneurship electives: ENT 311, 312, 314, 411, 412, 414. Noncredit practica via active involvement in Canisius Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO) and practical experiences with the Canisius College Women’s Business Center are required in the Entrepreneurship major. For further information, contact the entrepreneurship program director.
Entrepreneurship Curriculum:
| 1. | ENG 101, ENG 102, PHI 101, RST 101 (4 courses) | (12 credits) | |
| 2. | Area Studies: Two courses from each of these areas: I, III, IV, V, VI, VIII (12 courses) |
(36 credits) | |
| 3. | Major course requirements: (21 or 22 courses) | (63-66 credits) | |
| a. Common body of business knowledge: (14-15 courses) | |||
| QNT 101 Quantitative Methods for Business | (3 credits) | ||
| AND | |||
| MAT 106 Calculus for the Non-Sciences | (3 credits) (4-6 credits) | ||
| OR | |||
| MAT 111 Calculus I | (4 credits) | ||
| OR | |||
| MAT 115 Calculus for Business I | (4 credits) | ||
| ACC 201 Financial Accounting | (3 credits) | ||
| ECO 101 Principles of Macroeconomics | (3 credits) | ||
| ECO 102 Principles of Microeconomics | (3 credits) | ||
| ECO 255 Business Statistics I | (3 credits) | ||
| ECO 256 Business Statistics II | (3 credits) | ||
| FIN 201 Introduction to Finance (ENT section) | (3 credits) | ||
| ISB 101 Management Technology | (3 credits) | ||
| MGT 101 Introduction to Management | (3 credits) | ||
| MGT 325 Operations Analysis for Business | (3 credits) | ||
| MGT 370 Managerial Environment | (3 credits) | ||
| MKT 201 Principles of Marketing (ENT section) | (3 credits) | ||
| b. Entrepreneurship Major Curriculum: Entrepreneurship Major Requirements: |
|||
| ENT 101 Experiential Entrepreneurship: Creativity, Innovation, Opportunity, and Idea Generation | (3 credits) | ||
| ENT 201 Introduction to Entrepreneurship | (3 credits) | ||
| ENT 401 Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship | (3 credits) | ||
| ENT 402 New Venture Creation | (3 credits) | ||
| Entrepreneurship electives: three courses | (9 credits) | ||
| ENT 312 International Entrepreneurship | (3 credits) | ||
| ENT 314 Social Entrepreneurship and Special Tpoics in Entrepreneurship | (3 credits) | ||
| ENT 412 Real Estate and Entrepreneurship | (3 credits) | ||
| ENT 414 Franchising and Entrepreneurship | (3 credits) | ||
| 4. | Electives (2 or 3 courses) | (6-9 credits) | |
| TOTAL (40 courses) | (120-121 credits) |
Recommended Schedule (Entrepreneurship):
| Fall | Spring | |||
| Freshman Year | ||||
| ENG 101 | 3 credits | ENG 102 | 3 credits | |
| QNT 101 or MAT 111 or MAT 115 |
4 or 6 credits | MAT 106 or Elective | 3 credits | |
| ECO 101 | 3 credits | ECO 102 | 3 credits | |
| AS VIII | 3 credits | AS VIII | 3 credits | |
| ISB 101 | 3 credits | |||
| Total | 16 or 18 credits | Total | 15 credits | |
| Sophomore Year | ||||
| ENT 201 | 3 credits | RST 101 | 3 credits | |
| MGT 101 | 3 credits | ACC 202 | 3 credits | |
| ACC 201 | 3 credits | MKT 201 | 3 credits | |
| ECO 255 | 3 credits | FIN 201 (ENT Section) | 3 credits | |
| AS IV | 3 credits | AS IV | 3 credits | |
| Total | 15 credits | Total | 15 credits | |
| Junior Year | ||||
| ENT Elective | 3 credits | ENT Elective | 3 credits | |
| PHI 101 | 3 credits | AS III | 3 credits | |
| FIN 201 | 3 credits | AS VI | 3 credits | |
| MGT 325 | 3 credits | AS I | 3 credits | |
| MGT 370 | 3 credits | Elective | 3 credits | |
| Total | 15 credits | Total | 15 credits | |
| Senior Year | ||||
| ENT 401 | 3 credits | ENT 402 | 3 credits | |
| ENT Elective | 3 credits | ENT Elective | 3 credits | |
| AS III | 3 credits | AS I | 3 credits | |
| AS V | 3 credits | AS V | 3 credits | |
| AS VI | 3 credits | Elective | 3 credits | |
| Total | 15 credits | Total | 15 credits | |
| TOTAL | 120 or 121 credits |
COURSES: 2007 – 2009
ENTREPRENEURSHIP COURSES REQUIRED OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP MAJORS
Complete all the specified courses in the Entrepreneurship major including the following required courses:
ENT 101 Experiential Entrepreneurship: Creativity, Innovation, Opportunity, and Idea Generation 3 credits
Provides an broad introduction to entrepreneurship and prepares students for developing a mindset for thinking creatively, using innovation, recognizing opportunities and generating entrepreneurial ideas. Other topics include strategic and tactical planning and entrepreneurial activities of an actual business enterprise. Students will be participate in the “Business Idea Pitch and Empire Creativity Competition”. Formerly ENT 202. No prerequisite, Open to business and non-business majors including students from the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education and Human Services. Spring only
ENT 201 Introduction to Entrepreneurship 3 credits
The foundation course in the entrepreneurship major. Examines the nature of entrepreneurs and the role of entrepreneurship in society. Investigates the entrepreneurial process in a variety of contexts. The course explores issues surrounding new venture creation, the economics of the business, determination of resources needs and acquisition of resources, marketing requirements, deal structures and technology issues. Students will engage in real entrepreneurial projects. No prerequisite, Open to business and non-business majors including students from the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education and Human Services. Fall only.
ENT 401 Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship 3 credits
This course focuses on the most common problems encountered by owners, managers and entrepreneurs in organizing and operating small enterprises: Topics include entrepreneurial strategy, pursuing new venture opportunities, management, marketing and financial challenges; creative small business marketing, innovative small business management and entrepreneurial financial management and legal requirements. Students will have a real entrepreneurial world through working with entrepreneurs in the small business enterprise. Formerly ENT 301. Prerequisites: MGT 101 and MKT 201 (Entrepreneurship section) or ENT 201, FIN 201 (Entrepreneurship section), ACC 202 and junior standing. Fall only.
ENT 402 New Venture Creation 3 credits
This is a capstone course that all entrepreneurship majors must take at the end of the program. It is a business plan course. Student must develop an original idea for a new venture and write a comprehensive business plan for that venture. This integrative course brings together the theory and practice of entrepreneurship. The course focuses on identifying opportunities for a new venture and the process of starting and growing a new business. The business plan will apply key principles and concepts to real world situations. Formerly ENT 400. Prerequisites: ENT 401 and senior standing. Spring only.
ENT 498 Practicum in Entrepreneurship 0 credits
Noncredit practica via active involvement in Canisius Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO) and practical experiences with the Canisiius College Women's Business Center are required in the Entrepreneurship major. Every semester
MKT 201 Principles of Marketing (Entrepreneurship Section) 3 credits
Analytical approach to distribution of goods and services in a market economy. Product, price, promotion and channel decisions within context of overall environment. Spring only for entrepreneurship section.
FIN 201 Introduction to Finance (Entrepreneurship Section) 3 credits
An introduction to financial analysis, markets, institutions and instruments. Topics covered include financial intermediation, interest rate determination, valuation, diversification and financial management and agency issues. Prerequisites: ECO 101-102, ECO 255 (or concurrent registration). Fall only for entrepreneurship section.
ELECTIVE COURSES IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Note: Additional or different entrepreneurship electives may be offered. Students should consult the semester-specific Registration and Advisement Guide and/or their academic advisor.
ENT 311 Entrepreneurship and Family Business 3 credits
Designed to provide key concepts and challenges faced by family businesses. Family dynamics, succession planning, family creeds and councils, special problems of family businesses and other closely-held corporations will be explored. Formerly ENT 412. Prerequisites: MGT 101 and MKT 201 or ENT 201 and junior standing. Fall only. Elective
ENT 312 International Entrepreneurship 3 credits
Explores international entrepreneurship – its dimensions and importance — and how it differs from other areas of international business. Students learn to identify and analyze information available for entrepreneurs seeking to move internationally and to address the important strategic issues in international entrepreneurship. Prerequisites: MGT 101 and MKT 201 or ENT 201 and junior standing. Spring only in even-numbered years. Elective
ENT 314 Social Entrepreneurship and Special Topics in Entrepreneurship 3 credits
This practitioner-oriented course focuses on innovative, values-driven organizations which have explicit civic missions or social purposes and which are most typically associated with the not-for-profit sector of the economy. The chief aims of the course are to help students understand and appreciate the role of the nonprofit sector in creating societal wealth in the economy; to engage participants in institutional efforts to create a good society through exposure to the work of these organization; to have students consider a variety of forms of involvement available to aspiring entrepreneurs in preparing for leadership roles in their communities. Prerequisites: MGT 101 and MKT 201 or ENT 201 and junior standing. Spring only in odd-numbered years. Elective
ENT 411 Entrepreneurial Leadership 3 credits
The purpose of this course is to enable potential entrepreneurs to learn about leading. The course will be focused on the development of the skills necessary to be effective entrepreneurial leaders. Prerequisites: MGT 101 and junior standing. Fall only. Elective
ENT 412 Real Estate and Entrepreneurship 3 credits
Exposes students to the activities of buying, selling, renting, or leasing a commercial real estate and property that is used solely for business purposes. Focuses on the commercial real estate in entrepreneurship, how to manage property for entrepreneurial firm growth. Prerequisites: MGT 101 and junior standing. Spring only in even-numbered years. Elective
ENT 414 Franchising and Entrepreneurship 3 credits
Analytical approach to understanding the basic forms of franchising, legal agreements and requirements in franchising businesses. Explores how to fostering a new generation of independent business owners and reasons for buying a franchise. Prerequisites: MGT 101 and junior standing. Spring only in odd-numbered years. Elective
ENT 496 Internship in Entrepreneurship 3 credits
Non-routine job experience that links academic concepts with practical experience. Requires supervision by faculty and student demonstration of academic value through papers and reports.
ENT 498 Practicum in Entrepreneurship 0 credit (non credit)