An MBA in entrepreneurship equips learners with the knowledge and tools to start their own businesses or advance into leadership roles. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects about 942,500 openings each year in finance and business from 2024-2034. This outlook bodes well for self-starting, enthusiastic professionals looking to branch out on their own.
Traditional MBAs include coursework in management, marketing, and related business fundamentals. Specializations in entrepreneurship train students to move ahead in their current positions or to work independently.
Choosing the right MBA in entrepreneurship requires careful consideration of curricula, cost, and degree requirements. This page covers what goes into an MBA in entrepreneurship, plus opportunities and resources related to the degree.
What Is an MBA in Entrepreneurship?
An MBA in entrepreneurship benefits individuals working across economic sectors. MBA in entrepreneurship graduates can advance to chief executive roles, which should see a 4% growth rate in employment from 2024-2034. Entrepreneurship allows for innovators to strike out on their own. It also gives freelancers, travelers, and workers seeking new opportunities the skills to create their own flexible, fulfilling careers.
According to the BLS, local government, corporate management, and education employ the highest numbers of top executives in the United States. Executives in investment services and extraction, distribution, and transportation of natural resources earn the highest salaries in the profession.
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Grow your career, leadership, and business acumen with an accredited online MBA program.
Why Should You Get an Online MBA in Entrepreneurship?
Through convenient, flexible coursework, top online MBAs in entrepreneurship build managerial and critical thinking skills. Working professionals can earn MBAs in entrepreneurship while maintaining their current positions, perhaps with the goal to run a business of their own.
The expanding gig economy continues to change professional landscapes around the world. Self-employment continues to thrive, as do startups in technology and related industries. MBAs prepare professionals to develop business plans, design budgets, and communicate effectively with investors and collaborators, all essential skills for entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurship MBAs also foster growth in organizations by training student employees to coordinate among departments, manage finances, and serve as leaders. With MBA degrees, entry-level marketers, financial professionals, and sales workers move into managerial roles. In May 2024, purchasing agents, who should hold bachelor's degrees, earned an annual median wage of $75,650. Sales managers, holding MBAs, made a median annual wage of $138,060.
What Can You Do With an MBA in Entrepreneurship?
Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Curriculum
MBA curricula vary by program. Core coursework focuses on subsets of business administration to build a comprehensive understanding of the field. Learners study accounting, business communication, and business strategy alongside marketing, managerial economics, and applied statistics. MBAs in entrepreneurship build on foundational coursework with classes designed to help learners start their own businesses or advance into leadership roles. Topics include business innovation and entrepreneurial finance.
Business Innovation Business innovation coursework focuses on strategies, techniques, and tools to change and introduce new ideas in a business setting. Students learn to create business models, capitalize on new markets, and effectively manage employees in an innovative business setting.
Franchising and Licensing Courses in franchising and licensing explain the differences between the two concepts and how to participate in each process. Learners explore the legal and ethical aspects of intellectual property, trademarks, and business contracts as they relate to franchises and licenses.
Entrepreneurial Planning and Feasibility Entrepreneurial planning and feasibility classes train students to plan and implement new business ventures effectively and efficiently. Learners study theories of business planning, focusing on budgets and markets for specific types of goods and services. Often based on case studies and practical exercises, planning and feasibility coursework builds analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
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How to Choose the Right Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Program
When choosing an online MBA in entrepreneurship, learners need to consider several factors. Cost, convenience, and curricula weigh heavily into one's choice, while graduation requirements and accreditation status help students decide which degree best meets their personal and professional goals.
An online degree allows students to complete an MBA program on a flexible, convenient schedule. Traditional MBAs include coursework that full-time students complete in two years. Degree length depends on program pace, requiring 1-4 years of focused, full- or part-time attendance.
Many institutions offer flat-rate online tuition. Out-of-state students benefit from this, paying the same for their degrees as in-state students. Per-semester tuition gives learners the option to take additional credit hours without accruing additional costs.
Learners who want to earn MBAs in entrepreneurship should look at each program's class offerings, along with the institution's instructors and graduation requirements. Students focusing on the technology sector might find programs with coursework geared toward that industry, while individuals interested in healthcare or finance should find programs pertaining to those fields.
Most MBA programs culminate in an internship, thesis, or research project. Students may find opportunities to complete these requirements in cooperation with their current places of work. Entrepreneurs who want to branch out on their own may use these requirements to build their new businesses. Business administration degrees may hold programmatic accreditation. Colleges and universities maintain regional or national accreditation, but programmatic accreditation attests to high academic standards within a specific program.
Scholarships for Entrepreneurship MBA Programs
Graduate students can apply for scholarships available to all learners. Students in MBA programs procure financial assistance through scholarships, grants, and fellowship programs. Many scholarships provide aid specifically to business administration learners, while future entrepreneurs benefit from funding opportunities geared toward their specific goals.
Professional Organizations for Entrepreneurship
Professional organizations for entrepreneurs bring together like-minded business innovators. Members benefit from opportunities to attend annual events and engage with online communities, building essential networks in the process. Professional organizations also offer entrepreneurs career guidance, webinars, professional development programs, and trend and research updates.
National Association for the Self Employed
Founded in 1981, the NASE offers guidance to self-employed individuals and small business owners. Resources include a small business locator, subscriptions to publications and newsletters, access to expert advice, and growth grants worth up to $4,000. The NASE also houses an extensive online business learning and resource center.
Entrepreneurs' Organization
EO unites nearly 20,000 entrepreneurs across more than 220 chapters in 61 countries through mentorship, education, and event opportunities. Members gain access to EO's chapter events, leadership training, and career accelerator resources. The organization also offers a global student award program for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Young Entrepreneur Council
As a fee-based, invitation-only organization, YEC supports entrepreneurs under the age of 40. is a highly selective organization dedicated to providing the holistic guidance young entrepreneurs need to evolve both personally and professionally.
Social Enterprise Alliance
is the preeminent US-based hub for social enterprise information, resources, professional development, news, and community. Members gain access to a comprehensive funding database, social enterprise verification, and the organization's member directory.
Vistage
As a coaching organization for small and mid-size businesses, Vistage supports 45,000 leaders with purpose-built programs and an extensive research center. Members build leadership skills through Vistage's peer group and professional guidance-based approach.
Top Five Online MBA Programs in Entrepreneurship
The following list ranks the five Accreditation ensures that the program and the school meet educational standards developed by third-party accreditation bodies. Some of the noteworthy accrediting agencies endorsing MBA schools and programs include:
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
