Entrepreneurs are the heart and soul of every successful business, but they face a number of special challenges. Entrepreneurs must not only manage the birth of an enterprise, but they must be prepared to manage its growth as well. This process requires the ability to plan, build, and participate in an organization that has the appropriate goals and structure.

Build Upon Your Career with Penn State Beaver

The Penn State Entrepreneur certificate explores fundamental principles and processes of entrepreneurship, including idea generation and opportunity analysis.

This certificate of study describes the processes for starting and growing a new venture, including the development of a business plan.

You can study financing options as seed capital, valuing a company, going public, partnerships, and acquisitions.

Explore principles of Internet marketing and strategies for marketing new ventures on the Web.

Penn State's world-class faculty are active industry or government professionals with up-to-date experience and knowledge.

Course work provides opportunities for hands-on experiences. Penn State course are designed to accommodate working adults with classes that are held in the evening at the Regional Learning Alliance, Cranberry Woods, Cranberry, PA.

Entrepreneur Certificate

This five-course professional certificate provides a comprehensive curriculum covering the core aspects of entrepreneurship. Four required courses and one elective course must be completed within a two-year period for a total of 12 credits. Candidates completing the requirements are awarded a certificate that bears the seal of Penn State University.

The curriculum is intended for:

• Business owners, key executives, managers, and those developing a business.
• Military personnel transitioning into civilian careers.
• Current college students or recent college graduates seeking to distinguish their resume.

The Certificate Curriculum

Required

ENTR 300       Principles of Entrepreneurship
ENTR 320       Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation

ENTR 400       Financing Entrepreneurial Ventures

ENTR 410       Entrepreneurial Marketing

Electives:       3 Credits

ENTR 430       Entrepreneurship and New Product Development
ENTR 440       Entrepreneurship and Franchising
ENTR 420       Leadership and Growth of New Ventures

Required Course Descriptions
ENTR 300 Principles of Entrepreneurship (3cr) Overview of the fundamental principles and processes of entrepreneurship, including idea generation and opportunity analysis.

ENTR 320 Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation (3cr) Explores the process for starting and growing a new venture, including the development of a business plan.

ENTR 400 Financing Entrepreneurial Ventures (3cr) Overview of alternative forms of financing, including seed capital, valuing a company, going public, partnerships, and acquisitions.

ENTR 410 Entrepreneurial Marketing (3cr) Principles of Internet marketing and strategies for marketing new ventures on the Web.

Electives: Choose one of the following:

ENTR 430 Entrepreneurship and New Product Development (3cr) Examines the process of designing, testing and launching new products, and developing a strategy for commercialization of the technology.

ENTR 440 Entrepreneurship and Franchising (3cr) Overview of the entire franchising process with a focus on licensing and distributorship, trade marks, strategy, and growing the enterprise.

ENTR 420 Leadership and Growth of New Ventures (3cr) Leadership of an entrepreneurial organization, including organizational effectiveness, stages of entrepreneurial growth, strategies for the future, and developing people.

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