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Majors & Minors
Entrepreneurial Management
PROGRAM OVERVIEW The Entrepreneurial Management major is designed for students who are interested in concepts related to starting and growing a business. Additionally, when combined with another business major, this major will help a student develop an entrepreneurial perspective relevant to any field. Students learn the process for new product or service concept generation, feasibility analysis and implementation and gain understanding in the leadership and management qualities of entrepreneurs.
FACULTY There are seven faculty, six of whom have terminal degrees.
ACADEMIC PREPARATION An exposure to courses related to entrepreneurship would be beneficial but not mandatory.
REQUIREMENTS FOR MAJOR Students are required to complete at least 124 credit hours. At least 42 of these hours must be taken in courses numbered 100 or above. During their first year, students typically focus on building a liberal arts foundation prior to pursuing the business core and major courses. These first year courses may include accounting, business law, economics, English, mathematics, rhetoric and communication studies, and electives.
DRAKE CURRICULUM The Drake Curriculum, required of all undergraduates, is designed to help students meet personal and professional goals as they acquire fundamental knowledge and abilities in ten Areas of Inquiry, including communication, critical thinking, artistic experience, historical consciousness, information and technology literacy, international and multicultural experiences, scientific and quantitative literacy, values and ethics and engaged citizenship. Students work closely with their academic advisers to craft a program of study in general education that prepares students for civic and professional leadership.
The Drake Curriculum also requires first-year seminars, which foster development of critical thinking and written and oral communication skills through a topical focus; and a Senior Capstone, in which students demonstrate the capacity to bring information, skills and ideas to bear on one project.
INTERNSHIPS & OPPORTUNITIES Paid internships opportunities are usually available during the school year and summer. Internships help students gain valuable on-the-job experience and a competitive edge in today’s market. A number of internships are usually available with organizations in the Des Moines area. Faculty advisors work closely with the students to provide program planning and career guidance. Additionally, ENTR 090 provides a mentoring component.
Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center is dedicated to providing students with the tools, resources and mentors needed to pursue their entrepreneurial passion.
As part of the sophomore Entrepreneurial Leadership course students are given the opportunity to be mentored by entrepreneurial leaders from across the community. Additionally, the capstone course, “Creating a Company” is designed to provide students the opportunity to complete the steps needed to start their own business or act as a consultant to someone pursuing an entrepreneurial endeavor.
CAREER OPTIONS Students may wish to become an entrepreneur, an individual who starts a new business enterprise, especially one involving a new product or service. Alternatively, students may wish to become an intrepreneur, an individual who operates in a similar fashion to an entrepreneur, but who develops innovative ideas within an organization in which they are employed.
HONORS Pappajohn First Year Entrepreneurship scholarship awarded to two entering first year students. Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Passion Award based on a competition. Students submit a business idea and then two are selected and given funds to pursue their idea.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES Organizations available to Entrepreneurial Management majors include clubs, competitions, and conferences. Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) is a club that offers students the opportunity to apply what they are learning in the classroom to solve real world problems. The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) provides resources for students to develop their entrepreneurial ideas. Additionally, it provides students the opportunity to participate in a statewide annual student business plan competition, which awards up to three $5,000 seed grants. The Drake Entrepreneurship Day is an opportunity for students, faculty and community entrepreneurs to gather to network and learn about the field of entrepreneurship. Finally, the Collegiate Entrepreneur Iowa Conference (CEIC) is an annual event sponsored by the five JPEC centers and brings together entrepreneurial leaders and students from across Iowa.