The Field

The purpose of the Entrepreneurship certificate program is to provide high school graduates, people displaced from their employment, or individuals entering the work force the business skills to combine with the technical skills necessary to establish and operate their own businesses. This program meets the needs of students in the technological areas who intend to open their own businesses or who seek professional improvement.

Opportunities for much of the growth in the economy over the next few years will come from the establishment of small businesses. This certificate offers the business background for students who wish to establish their own businesses. It also gives students some of the entrepreneurial skills that employers look for in big business.

The Instructional Program

The program consists of 30 credit hours which start with a concentration in the basic aspects of business. The first semester starts with classes in accounting and related topics, marketing, microcomputer applications, and business law. The second semester requires course work in more specific areas. An emphasis is put on business communications. There is some flexibility in scheduling to allow students to take business courses specific to their particular needs. The capstone course is Entrepreneurship. Upon completion of this course, students will have developed their own business plan. Instruction includes computational and communications skills, the introduction of the functions of management and their applications, the accounting and reporting aspects of accounting which apply to the operation of a small business, and the development of an entrepreneur who has the specific skills, leadership ability, problem-solving capability, and knowledge to start and operate a successful business enterprise.

Electives allow an opportunity for students to explore and expand interests in other areas of business. Upon completion of the certificate, graduates can either seek employment or continue for the associate’s degree.

Entrepreneurship

Certificate                  

SUNY Curriculum Code:  1192

First Semester

Second Semester

Certificate Requirement: 31 credit hours

Admission Requirements: Satisfactory completion of a high school curriculum and interest in a business career.

*Note: Choose any two electives with the following prefixes that are not required in the program: ACCT, BUSI, CITA,  or ECON.

Program Objectives

A graduate of the Entrepreneurship certificate program should be able to:

1. Prepare financial statements and maintain accounting records.
2. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the different types of accounts (assets, liabilities, equities, revenues, and expenses) and be able to compare proprietorship, partnership, and corporation accounting procedures.
3. Express him/herself effectively through written and oral business communications.
4. Display a fundamental understanding of computers and computer information systems and be familiar with common computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, database management, and graphics.
5. Generalize and discriminate among current American business practices, including production, marketing, finance, and human resource management.
6. Demonstrate fundamental problem-solving skills related to finance and business.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the planning process, marketing strategies, capital investment and financial controls, management tools, legal requirements of small business, and be able to develop a business plan.