Becoming an entrepreneur inherently involves risk, as starting a new venture often requires significant time, money and effort. However, gaining the right knowledge and skills can help reduce uncertainty and increase the chances of success.
One way to prepare is by enrolling in the Southeastern Oklahoma State University online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Concentration in Entrepreneurship program. This program allows busy professionals to develop essential business strategies and insights, providing a strong foundation to confidently pursue new ventures.
Solid Business Fundamentals
Building a great business from the ground up requires a solid foundation. An MBA in entrepreneurship offers entrepreneurs that foundation through mastery of business fundamentals, which can prevent unforeseen headaches and avert disaster once the business is up and running.
In addition to the entrepreneurship concentration coursework, graduate students also study finance, marketing, business strategy and management, gaining a comprehensive skill set to support their ventures. This broad knowledge equips entrepreneurs to make informed decisions and navigate the complexities of running a business.
Experiential Learning
What sets an MBA in entrepreneurship apart from other business concentrations is the emphasis on experiential start-up learning. Graduate students in an entrepreneurship concentration typically compete and collaborate in venture simulations and other opportunities to experiment with a variety of business ideas and approaches.
Similar to the internship or the practicum in other graduate programs, these venture competitions or capstone projects give entrepreneurship students a chance to apply what they have learned in a hands-on environment by developing a business plan and practicing an investor pitch in a simulated-risk situation. The practice and feedback students receive play a critical role in successfully venturing out on their own after graduation.
Building Networks
An MBA in entrepreneurship program also provides invaluable interaction with professors and classmates that can lead to positive personal and professional relationships. Students can benefit from individualized mentorships under professors with decades of experience — a difficult relationship to come by in the busy professional world. Because MBA programs typically attract intelligent, driven applicants, graduate students in entrepreneurship will find themselves surrounded by like-minded classmates who challenge and inspire them daily.
The expertise that comes with an MBA in entrepreneurship is worth so much more than the time and money it takes to complete the program. Graduates enter the entrepreneurial arena with a solid grasp of business fundamentals, practical venture experience and inspiring networks of peers and mentors — all of which make an MBA a priceless investment for any entrepreneur.
Learn more about the Southeastern Oklahoma State University online MBA with a Concentration in Entrepreneurship program.