Certificate in Entrepreneurship

This online certificate program, offered by our accredited school partners, introduces key issues in entrepreneurship for those looking to start a business on their own. What does it take to build and grow a business from scratch? What personal characteristics are shared by successful entrepreneurs? What types of resources are available to budding entrepreneurs, and where can you find them? Learners who complete this program will have the answers to those questions and others that are essential to the success of their businesses. Enroll through one of our accredited university or college partners today!

Certificate in Entrepreneurship Module 1 - Accounting and Finance for Entrepreneurs • Understand and explain the assumptions and principles that underlie Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) • Understand and explain the rules of double-entry accounting • Calculate the balance of the account • Define the steps that make up the accounting cycle • Describe the relationship between the major financial statements that make up an annual report • Explain the role of finance in the entrepreneurial process • Understand the importance of budgeting and financial planning • Identify and explain the three major pricing strategies • Define and distinguish between fixed and variable costs • Calculate the components of a master (static) budget • Prepare a cash budget • Prepare and analyze pro forma financial statements • Develop a basic financial plan • Use pro forma financial statements to evaluate a new venture • Explain the factors and assumptions involved in break-even analysis • Calculate Return on Investment (ROI) and payback period Certificate in Entrepreneurship Module 2 - Business Law for Entrepreneurs • Understand basic legal terminology and the larger legal environment • Identify and distinguish among the three basic legal structures of business organization • Explain the advantages and disadvantages of a sole proprietorship • Understand the rules and liabilities involved in a partnership • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a corporation, and the steps necessary to incorporate • Distinguish between a general partnership and a limited partnership or a limited liability partnership • Explain the differences between S corporations and limited liability companies • Identify the three major types of franchises and discuss the pros and cons of franchising • Explain the major legal protections for intellectual property rights • Define and distinguish between patents and copyrights • Discuss the importance of trademarks • List the criteria that define a trade secret • Identify the areas of employment law that are most relevant to entrepreneurs • Define the four legal elements involved in forming a contract • Discuss the Statute of Frauds and the types of contracts to which it applies • Explain Article 2 of the Universal Commercial Code and how it applies to sales contracts • Understand the basics of tax law as it applies to a business • Identify the major areas of federal regulation that apply to businesses • Understand basic legal principles applying to personal property • Understand basic legal principles applying to real property • Identify the legal means for transferring ownership of real property • Identify the three types of bankruptcy defined under federal law Certificate in Entrepreneurship Module 3 - Introduction to Entrepreneurship • Describe the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur • Outline the eight stages of the entrepreneurial process • Explain the discovery stage • Describe the evaluation of the market for a new venture • Outline ways to structure the venture • Discuss the strategic planning process for an entrepreneur • Describe the operational and financial planning needed for a new venture • Outline how an entrepreneur develops and employs a business plan • Describe the options for funding the new venture • Discuss issues in implementing the plans for a new venture • Recognize the ethical issues faced by entrepreneurs Certificate in Entrepreneurship Module 4 - Leadership and Management for Entrepreneurs • Describe the managerial roles played by an entrepreneur • Outline the five key managerial activities • Describe self-management techniques for managing time and organizing, planning, and prioritizing • Discuss the autocratic (ODS-A), participative (ODS-P), and empowering (GEM) management styles and their application • Describe the process for staffing an entrepreneurial venture • Discuss Katzenbach's Five Motivational Paths and how they apply to new ventures • Describe the process for coaching employees • Outline the USED Model for training employees • Discuss the importance of active listening when communicating with employees Certificate in Entrepreneurship Module 5 - Strategic Marketing for Entrepreneurs • Describe the role of strategy and marketing in an entrepreneurial setting • Discuss the basics of strategy, including the three levels of strategy and the five competitive forces identified by Michael Porter • Explain marketing basics, including the marketing process and the Four P's • Discuss the role of marketing in the discovery stage of a new venture • Describe the evaluation of the market for a new venture, including market segmentation, target marketing, and exploring customer needs • Discuss the role of strategic planning in the entrepreneurial process • Describe the key elements of a marketing plan • Outline the factors for success in creating a new venture business plan

All required reference materials are provided with this program. Technical requirements: Internet Connection • Broadband or High-Speed (DSL, Cable, Wireless) Hardware Requirements • Processor - 2GHz Processor or Higher • Memory - 1 GB RAM Minimum Recommended Software Requirements • Operating Systems - Windows 7, 8 or 10; Mac OS x 10 or higher • Microsoft Office 2007, 2010 or 2013 or a Word Processing application to save and open Microsoft Office formats (.doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx) • Internet Browsers - Google Chrome is highly recommended • Cookies MUST be enabled • Pop-ups MUST be allowed (Pop-up Blocker disabled) • Adobe PDF Reader

National Career Certification Board (NCCB)

This course provides students with qualified support professionals to guide them through their learning experience. The student support team is available to answer any questions a learner may have including questions on course content, course material, certifications, and registration or enrollment questions. Support advisers also monitor the progress of learners to ensure training retention and program advancement.