Academics

4 semester hours

The course introduces students to the basic concepts in entrepreneurship and the role entrepreneurship plays in society. It engages students in various experiential learning exercises to spark their interest in the subject and expand their entrepreneurial competencies, e.g., creativity, initiative, etc. A key assignment in the course challenges students to identify problems and conduct research in one or more industries and devise one (or more) feasible solution(s). Finally, the course introduces students to the different pathways in the major and potential career options early in their educational process.

4 semester hours

The course provides students with a basic understanding and appreciation of the history and processes of scientific discoveries and technological developments–and their remarkable effects on new business opportunities. It introduces students to some of the most current technological developments, trends, and issues (e.g., possibilities and limitations) in such relevant fields as artificial intelligence, internet of things, clean-tech, and biotechnology. The course also explores such relevant business concepts such as disruptive technologies, first-mover advantage, economics of increasing returns, technology/product lifecycle, piracy, and technology stands, among others. The course intends to prepare students to appreciate and identify the immense business opportunities that arise from new scientific discoveries and technological developments. Lastly, the course introduces students to several technology tools (e.g., Photoshop, SolidWorks [simplified version], 3D-printing, Slack, etc.) that will aid them in their subsequent courses.

Prerequisite: ENTR 1310

4 semester hours

This course has been designed to provide students with an overall understanding of the concept of entrepreneurship and small business management, and to prepare them for starting, surviving, and succeeding in business. A major thrust of this course is developing a solid business concept, which involves identifying problems, finding one or more solutions, building a series of Minimal Viable Products (MVPs) and testing/validating the concept (market validation), modifying the business model (pivoting), and formulating a professionally constructed workable plan (business pitch deck/plan).

Prerequisites: ENTR 1310 and ENTR 2310

4 semester hours

This course consists of two (2) 2-semester-hour courses, each half a semester long, configured like a one 4-semester-hour course. The Entrepreneurial Finance portion equips students the key relevant skills necessary for financial planning and projections for a startup or a new project. In addition, the course introduces students to the various concepts, resources, and strategies for financing a new and growing venture. Finally, students evaluate the key tactics and approaches to negotiation when attempting to structure a deal for a new venture and explore the different exit alternatives and strategies. The Entrepreneurial Marketing portion examines the marketing strategies and methods used by successful startups and early stage companies that make best use of their limited resources. It also introduces students to marketing/sales tools, methods, and metrics that are useful in an entrepreneurial setting (e.g., “growth marketing” techniques), including Facebook and Google online advertising as well as several unconventional methods. Lastly, it offers practical lessons for planning, designing, and maximizing sales through crowdfunding, Shopify website, and Amazon.com presence, among others.

Prerequisites: ENTR 1310 and ENTR 2310 

4 semester hours

This course examines the challenges and opportunities for managers, employees, and organizations in creating and maintaining a culture and organizational design that foster intrapreneurial endeavors. It also reviews the role of corporate entrepreneurship in building and sustaining innovation within organizations. The course also examines the critical role of corporate culture in driving corporate entrepreneurship, and the nature of individual thinking style and leadership style in organizations demonstrating effective corporate entrepreneurship.

Prerequisites: ENTR 1310 and ENTR 2310 

4 semester hours

Entrepreneurial Acquisitions introduces an alternative path into business ownership. Students gain a deep understanding and appreciation for small business ownership and the transition of ownership. Assignments require students to find real business professionals in the community and recruit them to participate in their final exam simulation project where they present and negotiate an acquisition offer after creating Deal Search Memo, LOI, Due Diligence Checklist, Valuations, Deal Structure, and Purchase Agreements. The course includes visits to small businesses, case studies, and guest speakers.

Prerequisites: ENTR 1310 and ENTR 2310 

1 semester hours

The objective of this one-semester-hour course is to help students achieve a worthwhile learning experience relevant to their major program of study. The internship, conducted with an off-campus organization, will help the student gain insights relative to his/her strengths and weaknesses in the job environment.

3 semester hours

In this course, students are introduced to the financial aspects of small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures. The key topics include evaluating new business ideas and ventures, reading and understanding financial statements of rapidly growing companies, and developing financing strategies. We also discuss various debt and equity alternatives of financing, the different valuation techniques, and key tactics and approaches to negotiating term sheets.

Prerequisites: ENTR 1310 and ENTR 2310; BCOR 3410 or FNCE 3400

4 semester hours

This course introduces students to gathering relevant data (both primary and secondary data) to build financial models for analyzing, interpreting, and making decisions on evaluation of alternative real estate investment opportunities with alternative financial structures. Hands-on entrepreneurial learning makes use of cases, gathering primary data, financial modeling, and estimating the most an investor should pay for a specific property. More specifically, this course includes determining a property’s “investment value,” financing strategy, risk analysis, taxation, market area supply and demand analysis by property type (e.g., single-family homes, apartments, office, retail, warehouses, and other industrial properties), alternative investment ownership (e.g., sole proprietorships, REITs, Limited Partnerships, LLCs, etc.), as well as evaluating alternative financing instruments in both primary and secondary markets.

Prerequisites: ENTR 1310 and ENTR 2310; BCOR 3410 or FNCE 3400

4 semester hours

This course focuses on developing knowledge and skills in three key components of international entrepreneurship: initiating entrepreneurial ventures, managing international business transactions, and dealing with multicultural business environments. The course includes a feasibility study of an international small business venture start up, case study, and experiential learning.

Prerequisites: BCOR 3860, ENTR 1310, and ENTR 2310

4 semester hours

This course, a joint venture between LMU and OTIS College of Design (or an equivalent institution/department), provides an overview of the key concepts, frameworks, and issues in product design and development. Students are expected to learn to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team to construct a business concept, design a new product, and complete a prototype.

Prerequisites: ENTR 3350 and ENTR 3360 or ENTR 4340

4 semester hours

In this course, students will develop first-hand experience in starting, planning, running, and growing one or more new (or relatively new) venture(s). Each startup will set clear goals and milestones in the beginning weeks of the semester and will work diligently to achieve them by its end. While student learning is the primary goal of the course, students are also expected to move their startups forward and get a taste of success. Upon completion of the course, students will have turned an idea into an exciting and feasible business concept. This course is required for Entrepreneurship majors pursuing the Startup Entrepreneurship pathway.

Prerequisites: ENTR 3350 and ENTR 3360 or ENTR 4340

4 semester hours

This course is designed to provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge about new and young businesses. Print and live cases will be used to facilitate in-depth exploration of the typical start-up, operating, and growth challenges facing entrepreneurial companies. Guest speakers (founders of or investors in new ventures) will share their entrepreneurial journeys. Students will participate in a team project where they meet with the founder(s) of a local entrepreneurial venture, identity key challenges facing that venture, and develop an in-depth plan to address those challenges. This course is required for Entrepreneurship majors pursuing the Startup Entrepreneurship pathway.

Prerequisites: ENTR 3350; ENTR 3360 or ENTR 4340

4 semester hours

This course is designed to provide first-hand experience to the issues and processes of leading and managing change inside of an organization. It introduces students to the real-world issues facing organizations, the resources and barriers to innovation, as well as the strategies and processes for realizing the needed change. The course draws on a broad selection of readings, cases, guest speakers, and a consulting project to examine how organizational issues are identified, analyzed, and resolved in the process of implementing change. A highlight of the course is the formation of student teams for the undertaking of real projects for local companies (for-profit or non-profit organizations). The teams consult with the “client” organizations, develop project proposals, and get hands-on experience through the consulting process. This course is required for Entrepreneurship majors pursuing the Corporate Entrepreneurship pathway.

Prerequisites: ENTR 3350 and ENTR 3360 or ENTR 4340

4 semester hours

In this course, students are introduced to the field of social entrepreneurship–the process of using entrepreneurial mindset and business skills to create innovative approaches to societal problems. The course explores various concepts and examples of social entrepreneurship (not-for-profit and for-profit) through theory and case studies. Moreover, students will utilize their creativity to explore their own solutions to one or more social problems. A highlight of the course in the formation of student teams for the undertaking of real projects for local companies (for-profit or non-profit organizations). The teams consult with the “client” organizations, develop project proposals, and get hands-on experience through the consulting process. This course is required for Entrepreneurship majors pursing the Social Entrepreneurship pathway.

Prerequisites: ENTR 3350 and ENTR 3360 or ENTR 4340

4 semester hours

Entrepreneurial leadership involves vision, perspective, opportunity-alertness, empathy, innovativeness, and logical thinking, etc. The course starts with the fundamentals of professionalism including mannerism, communication, and self-discipline, and proceeds to cover the above-mentioned essential attributes and skills required to be a successful entrepreneurial leader. Also discussed in length are the impacts of current affairs (domestic and international) and macroeconomics on businesses as well as the real estate market. Guest speakers are brought in to provide alternative viewpoints and share their experiences.

Junior or senior standing required. Permission of instructor required.