Entrepreneurship, B.A.

Our entrepreneurship major integrates core business study and preparation with a rich emphasis on entrepreneurial learning and practice.

You are inventive, forward-thinking and ready to transform the business world. Get the skills necessary to launch new companies, build sustainable profits, create jobs and improve systems.

Our goal is to prepare you to change the world one idea at a time. Unlike other business degrees, we focus on making a difference, not just studying theory. Our innovative culture is unique, and you will be surrounded by talent and resources, ensuring you graduate with the critical thinking skills that will serve you for the rest of your life.

Our entrepreneurship program reinforces skill sets in marketing, accounting, sales, leadership and, perhaps most importantly—creativity. We prepare undergraduate students to launch new companies, enter the free market and build sustainable profits that drive GDP and contribute to jobs creation.

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Take the next step toward completing your Bachelor of Arts in Entrepreneurship degree at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Benefits of Studying Entrepreneurship

By studying entrepreneurship, you will sharpen your problem solving skills, as well as your business acumen. You will learn about the framework needed to create a business from the ground up, including:

Developing business models
Creating innovative marketing plans
Effectively pitching ideas
Overseeing production
Improving business systems

Entrepreneurship is not just for those interested in launching a business. It is for the ambitious, transformative student who is driven to create change.

As a graduate, you will be well equipped to work in a variety of roles, including sales, marketing, technology, and operations—with an unmatched motivation to make things newer and better.

Outside the Classroom

We understand that education goes beyond our university campus. We offer many opportunities to get involved in business-related events and activities throughout the community.

Internships

The entrepreneurship major requires completion of an internship allowing you to gain firsthand experience working alongside seasoned professionals in a business environment.

Students can also network with professionals who can serve as mentors, sharing their vast experience as entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Careers

It is our goal to help students become not just successful entrepreneurs who can establish profitable businesses, impact our local economy and create jobs, but to also be successful in a dynamic and ever-changing world.

Career options for students include not only running your own commercial or non-profit organization, but also being a valuable member of an existing company.

Our students learn the critical thinking and leadership skills that the world's top employers are seeking. Whether it is envisioning and building your own new ventures or helping to build value in an existing company, you will be prepared with the self-confidence and abilities to enter the marketplace and to be successful.
Global Entrepreneurship Week

Each year, we host the Global Entrepreneurship Week, an international initiative aimed to inspire and recognize entrepreneurs. It is the largest celebration recognizing those who invent products and create new companies and start-up businesses, as well as those who use their business to create a social change.

The event features speakers, workshops, roundtable discussions and presentations all focusing on the impact of commercial, social and industrial aspects of entrepreneurship.
Edison Project Business Plan Competition

A highlight of Global Entrepreneurship Week is the Edison Project Business Plan Competition. Similar to ABC’s Shark Tank, this event hosts regional entrepreneurs as they present their business plans and compete for cash awards and the title of the Best New Entrepreneurial Business.

Accreditation

Lenoir-Rhyne is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The B.A. in Entrepreneurship is also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Major Requirements

The Entrepreneurship major is designed for those individuals who wish to pursue a career in creating, managing and growing new business ventures. The main focus of this major is preparation for identifying opportunities, developing innovative solutions, securing resources and launching want-satisfying goods and services in a dynamic and competitive environment. The major prepares students for careers as Entrepreneurs, Small Business Owners, Startup Consultants and Innovation Managers. The program of study combines courses from all the functional areas of business to develop creative, resourceful and effective decision makers. The Entrepreneurship major earns a B.A. degree.

Transfer Policy

A student may transfer in the following:

the common Business core courses except for BUS 450 - Business Policy and no more than 6 credit hours from BUS 320 , BUS 340 , BUS 344 , BUS 360 , and BUS 370 .
no more than 6 credit hours from the required major courses.

Honors

Students in the College of Business & Economics may elect to pursue honors work. To be eligible for honors, students must:

have a 3.2 cumulative GPA;
have a 3.5 GPA in the major; and
have completed ACC 231, BUS 340, BUS 360 and CSC 175 or BUS 125 or have been invited to apply by the faculty of the College of Business & Economics;
have successfully completed BUS 320 and BUS 344 as honors courses;
have successfully completed BUS 499 which includes a specific business written analysis report and an oral presentation to the faculty of the College of Business & Economics.

Earning two or more majors in Charles M. Snipes College of Business and Economics

Students seeking two or more majors in the Charles M. Snipes College of Business & Economics must complete 15 hours of unique course work in the Major Requirements section of each major. All required course work for the major must be completed. The unique course work will come from the required courses and elective courses prescribed for the additional major. Some courses may require substitutions approved by the dean.

General Education Requirements (37 hours)

Graduation Requirements (4 hours)

General Education Requirements
Technical Requirements (3 Hours)
- MAT 125 - Finite Mathematics
Foundational Core Courses (42 Hours)
Transformative Competencies
Major Requirements (18 Hours)
Choose Two Courses from the Following (6 Hours)
General Elective Credits

General Electives (16 hours) as needed to reach 120 hours overall.
Total Credit Hours - Minimum 120 hours

On occasion, technical and/or program requirements may also meet specific General Education requirements. Please confer with your program advisor to determine which courses, if any, may be counted accordingly.

All bachelor's degree programs at Lenoir-Rhyne require at least 120 credit hours. If, in combination, General Education, technical, and program requirements do not generate at least 120 hours, additional credits must be completed to achieve 120 hours. These classes may be general electives, or a student may complete a minor or additional major.

Admission & Financial Aid

Program Contact

Ali Oguz

Visiting Instructor
625 7th Ave NE, LRU 7213
Hickory, NC 28601

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