Everyone is born with a creative mind to tackle challenging issues. But it requires some level of competence to utilize it. Do you spot opportunities where others might only see issues? Do you intend to expand an existing business? If any of this defines you, then consider one of the best online entrepreneurship certificate programs in this article.
Studying entrepreneurship provides a well-rounded education focused on vital aspects that affect the growth of new business ventures.
PayScale’s median annual wage for a small-scale business is $60,151 as of August 2022. In entrepreneurship training, candidates will learn how to use creativity to enter a competitive marketplace.
Let’s explore some of the best online entrepreneurship certificate programs, career opportunities, and professional associations in this field.
What is an Entrepreneur Certificate?
Entrepreneurship is the act of starting a firm or company while accepting all the uncertainties in the pursuit of financial gain. The more recent concept of entrepreneurship also encompasses the idea of changing the world through finding solutions to significant issues. For example, today’s entrepreneur might have goals to enact social change or develop a product that changes everyday life.
Through entrepreneurship, anyone can take control of their careers and steer others in the way they desire. The sector involves creating a business environment that works the way the entrepreneur plans, as there are no time limits and superiors.
Therefore, an entrepreneurship certificate equips candidates with the skills to launch, create, and manage a startup or small-scale business. The certificate is a practice-oriented program meant for aspiring entrepreneurs with little or no expertise in the industry.
Types of Online Entrepreneurship Certificates
The most common types of certificates in entrepreneurship are:
- Small Business
- Achievement in Entrepreneurship
- Technology Entrepreneurship
- Business Administration
10 Best Online Entrepreneurship Certificate Programs
Undergraduate Certificates
1. Albany Technical College
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Degree Offered: Certificate in Entrepreneurship
Albany Technical College provides an entrepreneurship certificate to eligible applicants. The program often prepares candidates for managerial, marketing, and development tasks attributed to owning and operating a firm.
Coursework areas in this program include Entrepreneurship, Principles of ECommerce, and Small Business Management. Also, learners will choose from one of the following elective coursework:
- Legal Environment of Business
- Business Regulations & Compliance
2. Metropolitan Community College Area (MCCA)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Degree Offered: Certificate of Achievement in Entrepreneurship Generalist
MCCA offers a Certificate of Achievement in Entrepreneurship Generalist qualification. The program combines career development and entrepreneurial skill to benefit those who have established (existing) firms and those looking to create new business prospects.
In this program, students will take courses in:
- Introduction to Entrepreneurship
- Entrepreneurship Feasibility Study
- Entrepreneurship Business Plan
Elective Courses:
- Entrepreneurship Legal Issues
- Marketing for the Entrepreneur
- Entrepreneurship Financial Topics
3. Bladen Community College
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Degree Offered: Certificate in Small Business
Bladen Community College provides a Certificate in Small Business credential to eligible learners via distance and on-campus learning paths. The program familiarizes students with the many facets of the free capitalist system. Students will gain a foundational knowledge of business organizations, operations, and techniques in the modern economy.
The curriculum covers business concepts like economics, business law, marketing, and management. Other vital coursework areas in this certificate program include:
- Business Finance
- Principles of Financial Accounting
- Accounting Software Applications
- Small Business Management
- Principles of Marketing
4. Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC)
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Degree Offered: Entrepreneurship Certificate
FTCC offers an online entrepreneurship certificate to aspiring innovators and business enthusiasts. It equips students with the information and abilities needed for career advancement. Through this course, learners will be exposed to proven strategies to make wise decisions as potential business owners.
Some of the coursework areas are:
- Management
- Marketing
- Law for Entrepreneurs
- Creativity and Innovation
- Funding for Entrepreneurs
Upon completing the program, learners will gain a solid background in entrepreneurial education.
5. Forsyth Technical Community College (FTCC)
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Degree Offered: Certificate in Business Administration / Global Entrepreneurship
FTCC offers a Certificate in Business Administration with an emphasis on Global Entrepreneurship. The program provides students with the various facets of the capitalistic system. It also offers a basic understanding of how small-scale businesses operate in the global economy.
This program covers business principles like economics, accounting, marketing, and management. Applicants gain skills relevant to applying these principles by mastering computer applications, decision-making, and teamwork building.
Graduate Certificate
1. Iowa State University
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Degree Offered: Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Iowa State University provides a certificate in innovation and entrepreneurship to aspiring students willing to turn their business ideas into viable services. The coursework focuses on tools and methods for starting new businesses, such as:
- How to pitch strategies and innovative ventures
- How to attract funding, investors, and clients
- Planning for marketing and expansion
- Minimizing risk & economic uncertainty
The certificate program in entrepreneurship and innovation creates the avenue to launch thriving startup firms. Also, the curriculum comprises two main online courses and two other specialized courses. Some of the electives to choose from include:
- Innovation
- Leadership
- Entrepreneurship
- Social Innovation
- Family financial planning
- International Entrepreneurship
2. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Degree Offered: Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship & Strategic Innovation
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers a robust qualification in Strategic Innovation and Entrepreneurship. It best benefits professionals aiming to aid capacity building in setting up viable businesses. The curriculum benefits those who want to understand the entrepreneurial mindset and reason for the viability of a proposed venture.
After completing the program, the institution paves the way for graduates to access opportunities to apply their entrepreneurial knowledge.
3. University of North Georgia
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Degree Offered: Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Course Duration: 12 weeks
The University of North Georgia offers an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate. This program equips students with excellence in starting new businesses and developing commercial innovations.
This certification creates value by providing entrepreneurial imagination, innovation, and strategies suitable for enterprises of all sizes. In this program, learners will take coursework in the following areas:
- Creativity and Innovation
- New Venture Creation & Growth
- Innovation Management & Corporate Entrepreneurship
4. University of West Florida
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Degree Offered: Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship
Course Duration: 7 weeks
The University of West Florida offers an entrepreneurship certificate to students championing their lifelong ideas. During this program, you will understand how to put novel ideas into practice. Coursework in consulting and business ventures prepares graduates to manage businesses, develop strategies, and spearhead new startup ventures.
After completing the certificate, graduates can:
- Develop and analyze key business ideas
- Create and deliver an elevator pitch to concisely describe and market a new startup idea to a stakeholder
- Identify and combine new potential business concepts to create a well-structured business proposal for a new venture
5. Empire State University
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Degree Offered: Advanced Certificate in Innovation Management & Technology Transfer
Empire State University provides an Innovation Management and Technology certificate. This program benefits students by deepening their understanding of business administration to complement their existing expertise in STEM. Through this program, they can efficiently translate ideas into widespread commercial use.
The primary focus is the management of new ideas and applications in enterprises. A few of the curriculum areas in this course include:
- Operations Management
- Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship
- Innovation & Global Commercialization
- Strategic Application of Planning and Innovation
Online Entrepreneurship Certificate Programs: What to Expect
In an online entrepreneurship program, students learn how to choose the right business or investment style. They also learn how to develop and evaluate a successful company proposal. Furthermore, applicants will learn how to value a business fairly. They’ll understand how to safeguard their rights and conduct research as funding progresses from investor sentiment to sealing the deal.
Furthermore, candidates will explore the techniques for keeping the investor/entrepreneur relationship healthy after a deal closes.
Online Entrepreneurship Certificate Program Courses
Some of the standard entrepreneurship certificate courses include:
- Company Structure & Due Diligence
- Protecting Your Interests
- Financial Valuation, Planning, and Dilution
- Assessing Startup Viability
- Funding Options for New Businesses
- Concepts of Pitching Business Ideas
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the following prerequisites to gain admission into online entrepreneurship programs;
- Minimum of 3 to 5 years of work experience
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
- Maintain a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Note: This varies for different institutions
- Background in business management or working in groups
- An innovative & entrepreneurial spirit
Acquired Skills
Teamwork: In this certificate program, students will gain crucial skills to maximize efficiency and achieve a common goal.
Networking: Via this program, you will learn various networking techniques and strategies to build and maintain contact with other people. With this knowledge, you can leverage a network of like-minded visionaries to enhance business growth.
Empathy: It’s a crucial factor that drives innovation, increases retention, and fosters employee well-being. Students will acquire emphatic knowledge to understand perspective through effective listening and collaboration.
Basic Finance Skills: These are effective techniques in financial management that students will learn in this program. Graduates will have in-depth knowledge of how to borrow, budget, and choose sensible investments.
Communication: Through this program, entrepreneurship graduates will learn to communicate while maintaining relationships effectively.
Problem-Solving: Via this program, you will learn crucial skills necessary to tackle problems affecting the transition of ideas. Furthermore, graduates can integrate decisiveness, critical thinking, and analytical approaches when tackling issues.
Average Timeline
While some entrepreneurship programs can take 4 to 6 months to complete, other advanced courses can take up to 24 months. This lengthened timeline is due to the inclusion of practicum experience.
Paying for Your Online Entrepreneurship Certificate
Candidates are free to fund this program from their respective savings or via government loans. Those with financial constraints can explore some of the free online entrepreneurship programs. While free options might be limited in areas, other premade entrepreneurship programs in video format are sometimes affordable.
Nevertheless, students can still access government grants to fund their entrepreneurship education.
How To Choose the Right Program
Before enrolling in any entrepreneurial certificate online program, consider some of the factors outlined before making final decisions.
Cost
The program’s cost-per-credit determines the cost of an online entrepreneurship certificate. While some schools charge as little as $220 for each credit hour, others charge as much as $800 per credit hour. Nonetheless, your college costs will be lower if you are eligible for federal aid.
The program fee varies based on instructors’ fees for students taking courses via online learning platforms like Udemy and Coursera.
Admission Requirements
Many institutions that offer entrepreneurship programs demand that applicants have background knowledge of business operations and management. However, other institutions may only consider applicants with a bachelor’s degree and prior knowledge of business administration.
In addition, a GPA of 3.0 or higher is required in undergraduate or master’s degrees.
Program Format
Most certificate programs in entrepreneurship are available online, on-campus, and in hybrid formats. Notwithstanding, online degrees provide students the flexibility to finish their work when it’s convenient for them. This flexibility makes online the best option for international students and those with full-time work or family commitments.
Location
Location is another important consideration when deciding on an online entrepreneurship certificate qualification. Since the online course format is not campus-dependent, applicants seeking this option have a tremendous advantage. For students preferring on-campus education, in-state vs. out-of-state costs might affect your decision.
Accreditation
An unavoidable factor in the decision-making process is a college’s accreditation status. Accreditation serves as a standard measure of its academic standing.
Generally, the accreditation profile of the university you choose certifies the value of your certificate. In addition, it further helps your qualification for financial aid from the government. As a result, applicants should only enroll in reputable, accredited colleges.
Start a Top Online Entrepreneurship Certificate Today!
Entrepreneurship is an avenue for identifying change, seizing opportunities, and accepting risks. Entrepreneurs make more efficient use of resources and produce valuable products for clients, repeating the process daily. With these numerous benefits, we hope you will choose one of the best online entrepreneurship certificate programs available in this write-up.
At Geteducated.com, we urge you to explore our educational resources for the latest career information.