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Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business

Entrepreneurship

Online Master of Arts in Entrepreneurship (MA)

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$0 Application Fee
$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation
0 Entrance Exams
No GRE/GMAT Required

About This Program

Integrate your entrepreneurial inspiration and spirit with proven strategies, technologies, and behaviors by enrolling in the master’s in entrepreneurship online at American Public University (APU).

One of the few entrepreneurship master’s programs, it is 100% online and one of the few to offer study in idea generation and financing/funding. Coursework blends the practical application of business concepts with ideation, marketing, management, and capital funding. Experiential learning and practical exercises help you live the life of an entrepreneur.

Class exercises in APU’s Master of Arts in Entrepreneurship include developing a pitch, creating innovative business and marketing strategies, and analyzing data and technology tools to develop actionable solutions for business problems. 

This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

What You Will Do

  1. Develop an innovative mindset that is proactive, customer-focused, and grounded in evidence-based decision-making
  2. Design strategies that incorporate business canvas tools supporting the mission and vision of an organization for growth and sustainability nationally and internationally
  3. Analyze key business metrics including financial reports, funding, legal compliance, and forecasting
  4. Integrate business models and approaches for identifying and solving business problems and change management at the individual, group, and leadership levels
  5. Develop a strategic business plan and pitch

View Program Outcome Assessment Results

Degree at a Glance

Accredited
ACBSP Accredited
Number of Credits
36
Transfer up to 15 credits
Cost Per Credit
$370 | $250*
*with military grant
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Students must choose a concentration for this degree program:

This concentration is designed for students seeking to pursue a business venture or manage an entrepreneurial enterprise. Looks at the practical application of business theory in marketing, management, finance, along with the online experience involved with running a business.

Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to:

  • Design marketing strategies to effectively target the needs of current and future customers.
  • Develop mission statements, vision statements, and business strategies to obtain and sustain various marketing segments to increase growth potential.
  • Use analytical financial tools to conduct business analysis and to communicate reasoning for business decisions.
  • Evaluate current business needs and the need for changes in policies and procedures by using advanced analysis techniques to determine their interdisciplinary applicability.
  • Analyze the legal, regulatory, and compliance issues affecting the entrepreneurial environment Compare and contrast various managerial approaches, specifically their effect on the individual, group, and organization.
    • Integrate advanced business analysis and the use of various data tools into alternative evaluation in the discovery and implementation of possible solutions to business problems.
  • Prepare financial forecasts as part of a comprehensive business plan.
  • Design a comprehensive business plan and pitch.

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 2755

|
This course introduces the student to the concepts and terminology of modern e-commerce approaches. It includes topics on marketing, web technologies, security, legal issues, imaging, search engines. The emphasis will be to develop an understanding of the underlying principles of e-business.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/25/22 - 07/01/22 07/04/22 - 08/28/22 Summer 2022 Session B 8 Week session
02/22/22 - 07/29/22 08/01/22 - 09/25/22 Summer 2022 Session I 8 Week session
03/29/22 - 09/02/22 09/05/22 - 10/30/22 Summer 2022 Session D 8 Week session
04/26/22 - 09/30/22 10/03/22 - 11/27/22 Fall 2022 Session B 8 Week session
05/21/22 - 11/04/22 11/07/22 - 01/01/23 Fall 2022 Session I 8 Week session
06/28/22 - 12/02/22 12/05/22 - 01/29/23 Fall 2022 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4855

|
This course focuses on international opportunity for new and emerging ventures; market analysis; exporting; joint ventures, regional, legal, and cultural issues; and financing foreign ventures. The course provides students with an understanding of the complexities faced by entrepreneurs doing business in a global environment and with knowledge to help them be successful within the global context.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
03/29/22 - 09/02/22 09/05/22 - 10/30/22 Summer 2022 Session D 8 Week session
06/28/22 - 12/02/22 12/05/22 - 01/29/23 Fall 2022 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4582

|
This course examines the marketing process and components of a successful marketing strategy for starting and growing a successful entrepreneurial venture. Students learn about the evolving practice of marketing and the potential for entrepreneurial thinking. Focal points range from issues with conventional marketing paradigms to the development of marketing strategy in the digital age.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/25/22 - 07/01/22 07/04/22 - 08/28/22 Summer 2022 Session B 8 Week session
04/26/22 - 09/30/22 10/03/22 - 11/27/22 Fall 2022 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 4314

|
This course is a comprehensive review of the major applications of reverse logistics principles, problems and best practices in manufacturing, retail and the military. The student will study applications from apparel, aviation, automotive, electronics, food and beverage, retailers, and sporting goods. It includes an analysis of Green applications and Carbon Footprint credits for companies.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/25/22 - 07/01/22 07/04/22 - 08/28/22 Summer 2022 Session B 8 Week session
02/22/22 - 07/29/22 08/01/22 - 09/25/22 Summer 2022 Session I 8 Week session
03/29/22 - 09/02/22 09/05/22 - 10/30/22 Summer 2022 Session D 8 Week session
05/21/22 - 11/04/22 11/07/22 - 01/01/23 Fall 2022 Session I 8 Week session

This concentration is designed for students who want to focus on being a small business owner. Graduates examine the legal practices, operations, funding, and marketing specific to a small business. Developed to bring specialized knowledge to entrepreneurs, this program will expose students to key concepts and principles to be a successful small business owner.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:

  • Determine the legal and ethical issues small businesses face.
  • Analyze methods used to critically evaluate specific operational functions.
  • Formulate funding options that support the strategy and goals of your small business.
  • Generate a marketing and advertising strategic plan to meets the goals of your venture.

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 4579

|
This course examines the legal and ethical issues small business owners face in the start-up and growth processes and equips them with the concepts needed to be successful. Students review decisions affecting business formation, including business entity selection and formation, employment law, intellectual property, taxation, government regulation, and contract law.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
03/29/22 - 09/02/22 09/05/22 - 10/30/22 Summer 2022 Session D 8 Week session
06/28/22 - 12/02/22 12/05/22 - 01/29/23 Fall 2022 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4580

|
This course focuses on lean processes associated with owning a business and equips students with modeling skills to help them make better decisions in the operations process. Students evaluate different lean operations in areas such as lean six sigma, quality improvement, value creation, project management, the DMAIC process, pricing strategy, assumption testing, and inventory management. *This course uses spreadsheet software.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/22/22 - 07/29/22 08/01/22 - 09/25/22 Summer 2022 Session I 8 Week session
03/29/22 - 09/02/22 09/05/22 - 10/30/22 Summer 2022 Session D 8 Week session
06/28/22 - 12/02/22 12/05/22 - 01/29/23 Fall 2022 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4581

|
This course examines financial strategies needed to support a small business. Topics addressed include managing the cash cycle, seed and venture capital, cost of capital and capital structure, entry strategies such as franchising and acquisition, self-funding, debt financing, angel investors, and financing from venture capital firms.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/22/22 - 07/29/22 08/01/22 - 09/25/22 Summer 2022 Session I 8 Week session
05/21/22 - 11/04/22 11/07/22 - 01/01/23 Fall 2022 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4854

|
In this course, students examine the unique marketing challenges faced by entrepreneurs launching new products and/or services. Topics include: designing new offerings, targeting customer segments, and marketing on a tight budget. The course is designed to be useful for small business owners.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/25/22 - 07/01/22 07/04/22 - 08/28/22 Summer 2022 Session B 8 Week session
04/26/22 - 09/30/22 10/03/22 - 11/27/22 Fall 2022 Session B 8 Week session

This concentration provides the student with an array of study and course work in business analysis, decision-making, analytic tools, and applied analytics.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:

  • Evaluate advanced analysis methods and techniques to solve modern business problems.
  • Recommend solutions to problems through the use of software analysis tools and techniques.
  • Analyze scenarios to create case summaries and data-supported solutions.

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 2741

|
This is a course in business analysis. This course investigates the advanced analysis methods and techniques used to solve modern business problems. The course emphasizes the most successful methods from business statistics, production and operations management, management science, and operations research fields of study. Students will be required to synthesize material from several major fields of study in order to apply it in this course. The capabilities of Microsoft Office will be used extensively throughout the course to illustrate the application of these methods and techniques to the analysis and solution of modern business problems. The course will first investigate the types of problems faced by businesses in the both the production and service areas. Methods of analysis will be investigated to solve these type problems including probability concepts and their applications, statistical quality control, process design, forecasting, inventory control, waiting line models, transportation and assignment methods, decision analysis, and simulation modeling.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/25/22 - 07/01/22 07/04/22 - 08/28/22 Summer 2022 Session B 8 Week session
02/22/22 - 07/29/22 08/01/22 - 09/25/22 Summer 2022 Session I 8 Week session
03/29/22 - 09/02/22 09/05/22 - 10/30/22 Summer 2022 Session D 8 Week session
04/26/22 - 09/30/22 10/03/22 - 11/27/22 Fall 2022 Session B 8 Week session
05/21/22 - 11/04/22 11/07/22 - 01/01/23 Fall 2022 Session I 8 Week session
06/28/22 - 12/02/22 12/05/22 - 01/29/23 Fall 2022 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4630

|
This course is designed to lay the groundwork for solution generation and software analysis tools at the intermediate level. Topics to be covered are various business problem solution models, the importance of high-level analysis in the business environment within the context of these models, and a detailed analysis and introduction to the various software tools available to managers. (Prerequisite: BUSN625)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/25/22 - 07/01/22 07/04/22 - 08/28/22 Summer 2022 Session B 8 Week session
02/22/22 - 07/29/22 08/01/22 - 09/25/22 Summer 2022 Session I 8 Week session
03/29/22 - 09/02/22 09/05/22 - 10/30/22 Summer 2022 Session D 8 Week session
04/26/22 - 09/30/22 10/03/22 - 11/27/22 Fall 2022 Session B 8 Week session
05/21/22 - 11/04/22 11/07/22 - 01/01/23 Fall 2022 Session I 8 Week session
06/28/22 - 12/02/22 12/05/22 - 01/29/23 Fall 2022 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4631

|
This course is designed to continue the examination of data and its use in the problem-solving process. In this course, students will integrate advanced skills in Microsoft Excel 2010 with data analysis techniques, including an introduction to big data add-ins such as PowerPivot and the use of Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) to create queries in the PowerPivot tool. (Prerequisite: BUSN660)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/25/22 - 07/01/22 07/04/22 - 08/28/22 Summer 2022 Session B 8 Week session
03/29/22 - 09/02/22 09/05/22 - 10/30/22 Summer 2022 Session D 8 Week session
05/21/22 - 11/04/22 11/07/22 - 01/01/23 Fall 2022 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4728

|
This course provides four case scenario exercises in which students will use the tools learned to create viable case summaries and data-supported solutions. Exercises will range from intermediate to advanced levels of analytical ability and will allow students to create a portfolio demonstrating skills in various business functions and analytical tools. (Prerequisite: BUSN661)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/25/22 - 07/01/22 07/04/22 - 08/28/22 Summer 2022 Session B 8 Week session
02/22/22 - 07/29/22 08/01/22 - 09/25/22 Summer 2022 Session I 8 Week session
03/29/22 - 09/02/22 09/05/22 - 10/30/22 Summer 2022 Session D 8 Week session
04/26/22 - 09/30/22 10/03/22 - 11/27/22 Fall 2022 Session B 8 Week session
05/21/22 - 11/04/22 11/07/22 - 01/01/23 Fall 2022 Session I 8 Week session
06/28/22 - 12/02/22 12/05/22 - 01/29/23 Fall 2022 Session D 8 Week session

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 5298

|
This course examines issues and functions that business managers face within the context of day-to-day operations and long-term planning of the organization. Topics include the tools used in business operations, the global dimensions of business, financial statement analysis, capital budgeting, ethical behavior, and economic analysis for decision-makers.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/25/22 - 07/01/22 07/04/22 - 08/28/22 Summer 2022 Session B 8 Week session
02/22/22 - 07/29/22 08/01/22 - 09/25/22 Summer 2022 Session I 8 Week session
03/29/22 - 09/02/22 09/05/22 - 10/30/22 Summer 2022 Session D 8 Week session
04/26/22 - 09/30/22 10/03/22 - 11/27/22 Fall 2022 Session B 8 Week session
05/21/22 - 11/04/22 11/07/22 - 01/01/23 Fall 2022 Session I 8 Week session
06/28/22 - 12/02/22 12/05/22 - 01/29/23 Fall 2022 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4716

|
There are two types of entrepreneurs - those that have a myriad of ideas and those that can't think of one idea. This course will help the student identify opportunities for a new business venture by either deciding on one idea they have or helping to create ideas. This course will span the realm of possibilities for a new business venture and the student will leave the course with a plan for taking the idea and turning it into reality.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/25/22 - 07/01/22 07/04/22 - 08/28/22 Summer 2022 Session B 8 Week session
02/22/22 - 07/29/22 08/01/22 - 09/25/22 Summer 2022 Session I 8 Week session
03/29/22 - 09/02/22 09/05/22 - 10/30/22 Summer 2022 Session D 8 Week session
04/26/22 - 09/30/22 10/03/22 - 11/27/22 Fall 2022 Session B 8 Week session
06/28/22 - 12/02/22 12/05/22 - 01/29/23 Fall 2022 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4856

|
This course is intended to address the various legal, tax, and ethical issues that confront individuals and companies in starting up new ventures, either within an existing company or a new start-up company. Students are exposed to the process of buying and/or selling a company, intellectual property, tax implications, and ethical challenges entrepreneurs face.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/25/22 - 07/01/22 07/04/22 - 08/28/22 Summer 2022 Session B 8 Week session
04/26/22 - 09/30/22 10/03/22 - 11/27/22 Fall 2022 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 4831

|
This course covers major sources of funding for entrepreneurs - including family and friends, angels, venture capitalists, informal investors, banks, and crowdfunding. Each are reviewed and evaluated in this course. Some topics for this course include valuation, bootstrapping, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and private placements. Students create financial statements, develop a funding plan for a new venture, and create a pitch to present to an investor. *This course uses spreadsheet software.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/22/22 - 07/29/22 08/01/22 - 09/25/22 Summer 2022 Session I 8 Week session
05/21/22 - 11/04/22 11/07/22 - 01/01/23 Fall 2022 Session I 8 Week session

Choose 3 credit hours from this section.

Course ID: 4823

|
The Accelerator is a dynamic learning and business development experience, unlike any class you will have had before. You start with your own creative ideas and, through the rigorous lean startup protocol, strive to determine the exact business model by which to launch and go to scale. The Accelerator model is based on lean startup and customer development principles (i.e., innovative business models, scientific approach, hypothesis testing, rapid iteration, minimum viable product, problem-solution fit, and customer discovery).
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/25/22 - 07/01/22 07/04/22 - 08/28/22 Summer 2022 Session B 8 Week session
04/26/22 - 09/30/22 10/03/22 - 11/27/22 Fall 2022 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 5387

|
This course is designed to provide the student with the skills necessary for developing a comprehensive, effectively written business plan for a new business venture. Every business benefits from a business plan. This class helps students understand that a business plan is more than a strategic plan. The motives for a business plan are largely the same for every business: to have an intent, purpose, and direction for the business. This course deals with the critical decisions and action steps entrepreneurs must make in both planning and executing a new venture. The business plan is often a tool used for those who may be interested in the business venture for a variety of reasons. Therefore, the plan must reflect the concept's viability and business model, the environment in which the firm operates, and the expertise of the management team to execute the plan.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/25/22 - 07/01/22 07/04/22 - 08/28/22 Summer 2022 Session B 8 Week session
03/29/22 - 09/02/22 09/05/22 - 10/30/22 Summer 2022 Session D 8 Week session
05/21/22 - 11/04/22 11/07/22 - 01/01/23 Fall 2022 Session I 8 Week session
Select any courses that have not been used to fulfill major requirements. Credits applied toward a minor or certificate in an unrelated field may be used to fulfill elective credit for the major.

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 4583

|
As a culmination to the graduate-level Master’s program in Entrepreneurship, this capstone course focuses on tying together the functional aspects of an entrepreneurial initiative to position it for growth and longevity. Topics covered include elements that must be considered by the entrepreneur to better position the organization for future growth, such as market research, management acumen, funding, etc. Students evaluate the opportunity of their venture as a foundation for the strategic business plan that stresses growth and answers to market shifts. This course may not be taken until all other courses are COMPLETED and student has a 3.0 GPA.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/22/22 - 07/29/22 08/01/22 - 09/25/22 Summer 2022 Session I 8 Week session
04/26/22 - 09/30/22 10/03/22 - 11/27/22 Fall 2022 Session B 8 Week session
06/28/22 - 12/02/22 12/05/22 - 01/29/23 Fall 2022 Session D 8 Week session

Courses Start Monthly

Next Courses Start Jul 4
Register by Jul 1
Apply Now Request Info

Admission Requirements

All APU master's degree and graduate certificate programs require you to have earned a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

If you have a bachelor's degree that is NOT accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), or the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE), your required first courses here will be:

  • ENTR500 Ideation (first required course), then
  • BUSN604

Note: You may enroll in other courses only after you have completed these 2 courses.

If you have a bachelor's degree that is accredited by ACBSP, AACSB, or IACBE, you are NOT required to take BUSN604, and instead may take one master’s-level elective course after completing ENTR500. Your admissions representative will need to review your bachelor's transcript to verify this information.

Please be prepared to submit a legible copy of your valid government-issued photo ID (civilian students) or government-issued JST or CCAF transcript (military students) upon request.

An APU admissions representative will contact you with further details about how to submit the required documentation after you complete the enrollment application.

Materials Cost

Most courses in this program use Open Educational Resources (OER). These teaching, learning, and research materials are made available to you at no cost, meaning there are minimal book costs associated with earning this degree.

Technology fee: $65 per course | $0 for U.S.active-duty military, National Guard members, and Reservists.

Need Help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions representative at 877-755-2787 or info@apus.edu.

Quality Education Should Be Affordable

So you can focus on the opportunities ahead, without the financial burden of more expensive schools who are not as invested in your success. Learn more about paying for school.

Consumer Information

Department of Education and State Disclosures

For information on costs, median debt, state licensure requirements and more, view the gainful employment disclosures and the program disclosures for Maryland residents.

 

*Cost Per Credit Hour

To minimize out-of-pocket costs, U.S. active-duty servicemembers, their spouse/dependents, National Guard members, and Reservists receive a tuition grant that caps undergraduate, master's degree, and graduate certificate tuition at $250/credit hour. In addition, a university book grant provides no-cost textbooks and ebooks for all undergraduates and military-tuition-grant-eligible master’s-level students.
See all military student benefits.