Innovation Leadership and Entrepreneurship

Students with an instructor.

Entrepreneurship takes a comprehensive view of business by focusing on the strategic thinking needed to run the entire business, rather than emphasizing one specific function within a business. The Innovation Leadership and Entrepreneurship program uses an active-learning model where, through hands-on work, students not only learn about entrepreneurship but experience the challenge and thrill of running a business.

Residential Programs

The Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship (BSE) provides extensive training in how to develop and assess the feasibility of new business ideas; plan for the creation of a new enterprise;  obtain physical, human, and financial resources; and operate and expand a small enterprise once created. The program provides the flexibility for students to develop the types of businesses they wish to pursue.

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) with a major in innovation leadership and entrepreneurship  places emphasis on teaching you how to think creatively so that you may work within small or large business firms or go into business for yourself. The program takes a practical hands-on approach under the direction of a faculty composed of entrepreneurs.

A minor in entrepreneurship  is also offered for both business and non-business majors.

Online Programs

The B.S.B.A degree with a major in innovation leadership and entrepreneurship is also offered as a distance degree program which allows students to take all of the required business and entrepreneurship courses 100% online.  This degree completion program is designed to serve students who wish to finish their undergraduate degree but who are unable to attend courses on campus.  Students typically enter the program following completion of a 2-year degree at a community college or with an equivalent number of credits.

See the graduate school page for information about our Master of Entrepreneurship in Innovation Leadership and Entrepreneurship (M.E.I.L.E) degree.

Residential Degree
Eight Semester Plans
Online Degree

Students may choose a B.S. in Entrepreneurship, a B.S.B.A. with a major in Innovation Leadership and Entrepreneurship, or an Entrepreneurship minor.

B.S. in Entrepreneurship

The B.S. in Entrepreneurship requires 120 total hours: 42 Liberal Studies hours, 18 Cognate hours, 48 major hours and 21-27 general elective hours, depending on Liberal Studies courses completed. Students may select various interest areas, e.g., digital marketing, sales management, general marketing, by carefully choosing their electives in consultation with their academic adviser.

Liberal Studies: 42 hours
Liberal Studies Program Requirements
Major Requirements:
48 hours in the major
Required Second Major or Minor:
The underlying philosophy of the B.S. Entrepreneurship degree is to give students a foundation in business concepts that can be combined with a second major or minor in a discipline-specific area of knowledge in the type of business students would like to start. 
General Electives:
Hours will vary depending on the second major or minor.

B.S.B.A. in Innovation Leadership and Entrepreneurship

The B.S.B.A. with a major in Innovation Leadership and Entrepreneurship requires 120 total hours: 42 Liberal Studies hours, 36 Business Core hours, 24 major hours and 18-24 general elective hours, depending on Liberal Studies courses completed.

Liberal Studies: 42 hours
Liberal Studies Program Requirements
Business Core: 36 hours
Business Core Requirements (36 hours)
Major Requirements:
24 hours in the major
General Electives (18-24 hours):
More hours may be required depending on the number of hours taken in the major that also meet Liberal Studies requirements.

Entrepreneurship Minor

Students who wish to receive a Minor in Entrepreneurship must complete 18 hours of study.

Students who wish to finish an Entrepreneurship degree in eight semesters can follow a prescribed program of study.

For a B.S. degree in Entrepreneurship in eight semesters

For a B.S.B.A. degree in Entrepreneurship in eight semesters

For dual degrees in Entrepreneurship and Marketing

For dual degrees in Entrepreneurship and Management

The distance B.S.B.A. in Innovation Leadership and Entrepreneurship program  replicates the active-learning model of WCU’s successful on-campus program with distance students taking the same courses delivered by the same faculty as students in the on-campus program.

Most students enroll in 6 - 9 credit hours per semester. 

Course of Study

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) with a major in Innovation Leadership and Entrepreneurship requires 120 total hours: 42 Liberal Studies hours, 36 Business Core hours, 24 major hours and 18-24 general elective hours, depending on Liberal Studies courses completed.

Students pursuing the B.S.B.A. with a major in Entrepreneurship are required to take the following major courses:

ENT 201: Introduction to Entrepreneurship
ENT 250: Innovation and Creativity
ENT 301: New Venture Leadership
ENT 325: New Venture Creation
ENT 335: Intrapreneurship
ENT 350: New Venture Growth
ENT 401: Entrepreneurial Funding
ENT 450: New Venture Strategy

Admission to the B.S.B.A. in Entrepreneurship Online Program

learn more about admission to the B.S.B.A. in Entrepreneurship Online Program

Costs & Financial Aid

Learn about the costs and financial aid for students in the online program.

If you have questions or comments about the B.S.B.A. in Innovation Leadership and Entrepreneurship  Online Program, please feel free to contact cobdistance@wcu.edu. We look forward to hearing from you.

Internships

There are numerous internship opportunities for students. In some cases internships are established through a faculty member in the student's major.  Oftentimes students find part-time jobs in an area  related to their field of study.  When this happens,  students  should discuss with their academic advisor the possibility of receiving college credit. Generally, three hours of general elective credit can be earned for a minimum of 200 hours of experience.

Advantages

Three (possibly more) hours of course credit which counts as a general elective towards your degree
Compensation
Relevant entry-level experience
Ability to make a more informed career decision and to be ahead of peers who do not have experience in the field
Future contacts and references/networking opportunities

How to Apply and Prepare

Visit WCU Career Services and obtain information about resumes, job searches, and interviewing
Attend Career Services seminar on Resume Writing and schedule an appointment with Career Services for resume assistance
Attend Interviewing Skills and Job Search Seminars
Become involved in the appropriate student organizations
Attend Career Fairs
Once you accept an internship offer, with permission from your academic advisor register for the internship course to obtain three hours of elective credit. All students must keep a work log, submit a written report and make a short presentation to faculty and students about their work

Student Clubs & Organizations

Participating in student clubs and organizations is a great way to enhance your educational experience and also looks good on your resume.

Sigma Nu Tau is the only acadmic honor society dedicated to Entrepreneurship. Its mission is to promote, recognize, onor and reward academic excellence in entrepreneurship and to encourage and recognize the practice of principled entrepreneurship. Members must posses a strong entrepreneurial sprit, have earned at least a 3.2 cummulative GPA and have junior class standing or higher. The chapter advisor is Dr. Janice Black, blackj@wcu.edu.

Study Abroad

Study Abroad programs are a great way to expand your horizons and at the same time earn college credit toward the completion of your academic program. If you want to gain international experience and exposure and a distinguishing edge in today's competitive job market, then studying abroad is for you. Academically, studying abroad is not only a fun way to earn credits, but it also exposes you to different teaching methods and perspectives on academic topics.

Western's Study Abroad opportunities are designed for both undergraduate and graduate students. These opportunities consist of programs that are one semester or an entire academic year, or even just for the summer. Each program has its own distinctions and prerequisites. Learn more about these opportunities.