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School of Business & Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

Why pursue a degree in entrepreneurship at North Central College?

Entrepreneurs know how to build, promote and manage their own business, and are typically known as innovators who are good at coming up with new ideas, services and goods. Entrepreneurs also play the role of “jack of all trades”, learning how to develop, design, produce, market and sell. This program is designed to give you a comprehensive business core as well as hands on experience in on-campus clubs like American Marketing Association. At North Central, you will acquire the skills necessary to start a business from the ground up. You will also learn how to apply your creativity and entrepreneurial energy into making an existing business more productive. You may go on to own and operate a small store, tech startup, creative online idea or add value to an existing business. Whatever you may do with your entrepreneurial skills, entrepreneurship will be an extremely rewarding and fulfilling career.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN

  • Building, promoting and managing your own business
  • Identifying needs and innovating solutions in the marketplace
  • Taking on the role as CEO or leader of your own company

then a degree in ENTREPRENEURSHIP might be for you.

Why study entrepreneurship at North Central College?

In the Classroom

Coursework topics:

  • 11-course comprehensive business core
  • Applied entrepreneurship
  • Design thinking for social impact
  • Entrepreneurship experimentation
  • Entrepreneurship exploration
  • Entrepreneurship strategy
  • Finance and law for social impact
  • Introduction to web development
  • Marketing in social impact
  • Marketing research
  • Professional selling
  • Social entrepreneurship
  • Social innovation

Beyond the Classroom

As an Entrepreneurship major, you can:

  • Simulate trading and access thousands of proprietary reports in the Bloomberg Finance Lab, equipped with ten dual-monitor workstations, Bloomberg Terminal software, and Bloomberg’s unique keyboards.
  • Become “Bloomberg Certified” by completing a series of advanced financial modules in our Bloomberg Finance Lab.
  • Apply for internships and jobs through robust faculty and alumni networks or the Center for Career and Professional Development.
  • Attend presentations by guest speakers who share their experiences, offer advice and answer questions.
  • Apply what you’ve learned in class to entrepreneurial projects through student organizations like the Entrepreneurship and International Business Organization (EIBO) and Enactus.
  • Attend professional events such as the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization (CEO) annual conference in Chicago and the Self Employment in the Arts (SEA) Conference.
  • Complete a student consulting project through North Central’s business accelerator ConVerge.

More Department information

Entrepreneurship, B.B.A.

Entrepreneurship focuses on developing capabilities in new enterprise development, customer validation and small and family business management.  Courses specifically build competencies in the entrepreneurial mindset, opportunity recognition, opportunity evaluation, business model design, raising capital and the lean startup methodology.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Management and Marketing.

Common SBE Core

  • SBEN 100 - Globalization and Society

    SBEN 100 - Globalization and Society

    4.00 credit hours

    An introductory course identifying the role of the business institution in our society, how business behavior is shaped and influenced by its stakeholders-managers, consumers, employees, government and community members. Key topics include: business systems, corporate governance, the business and society relationship, business and public issues, ethical dilemmas in business, corporate social responsibilities in relation to stakeholders, globalization, ecological and sustainability issues and the influence of technology on business and society.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • ACCT 201 - Financial Accounting

    ACCT 201 - Financial Accounting

    4.00 credit hours

    An introduction to accounting principles and procedures as they are employed in the communication of financial information to various users, such as management, stockholders and government agencies. Topics include accounting for assets, liabilities, owner's equity and other reporting issues.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • ACCT 202 - Managerial Accounting

    ACCT 202 - Managerial Accounting

    4.00 credit hours

    Analysis of accounting for managerial decision-making, planning and control. Topics include budgeting, variance analysis, traditional and nontraditional product costing methods and cost-volume profit analysis.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • BUSN 205 - Business Law and Ethics

    BUSN 205 - Business Law and Ethics

    4.00 credit hours

    Surveys the major aspects of the law governing business and commerce including the domestic and international legal environment, the range of dispute resolution processes, legal liability including torts and negligence, contracts, employment law including employment discrimination, business entities, commercial transactions and intellectual property—all with particular emphasis on business ethics and ethical decision making.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • BUSN 265 - Business and Economics Statistics

    BUSN 265 - Business and Economics Statistics

    4.00 credit hours

    Provides an overview of basic statistics as it applies to business. The focus is on learning statistical concepts by applying analytical reasoning to business applications. Examples illustrating the relevance of statistics to broad areas of business are used. The course requires students to use spreadsheet programs, statistical programs, the Internet and other computer tools in analyzing statistics. The focus is on application of the material and on solving problems. Only one of BUSN 265 and PSYC 250 may be taken for credit.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • BUSN 485 - Business Strategy

    BUSN 485 - Business Strategy

    4.00 credit hours

    The capstone course requirement for all business majors. As befits a capstone, student skills in business strategy are developed in a highly integrative manner such that students use knowledge and frameworks from all functional areas of business to develop a holistic perspective of firms and competitive advantage. The knowing component of this course is focused on theoretical knowledge and frameworks applied in the critical analysis of business case studies. The doing component of this course centers on an online simulation where students compete to run a successful business.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • ECON 200 - Principles of Microeconomics

    ECON 200 - Principles of Microeconomics

    4.00 credit hours

    Introduction to the theory of consumer choice, social and individual welfare, the behavior of business firms and market structure, and other applied microeconomic topics.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • ECON 205 - Principles of Macroeconomics

    ECON 205 - Principles of Macroeconomics

    4.00 credit hours

    Introduction to macroeconomic theory, with emphasis on factors which explain changes in national income, unemployment and inflation. Other topics include money and banking, fiscal and monetary policies, distribution of income and economic crises.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • FINA 350 - Corporate Finance

    FINA 350 - Corporate Finance

    4.00 credit hours

    An introduction to corporate financial management. Topics include financial statement analysis, discounted cash flow analysis, bond and stock valuation, common stock/debt financing, risk and return, cost of capital, and capital budgeting.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • MGMT 305 - Management and Organizational Behavior

    MGMT 305 - Management and Organizational Behavior

    4.00 credit hours

    Provides a formal overview of why organizations exist and how they operate within the context of society. Basic management issues such as the structure of organizations are explored. In many cases management topics are covered in a generic manner that can be applied to any organization. Other issues are addressed with specific applications to certain firms. This course examines our role as individuals as it pertains to organizations. It is generally meant to provide a framework to analyze organizations that exist in the U.S. but will also cover some international topics.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • MKTG 300 - Principles of Marketing

    MKTG 300 - Principles of Marketing

    4.00 credit hours

    Presents an overview of Marketing as a principle, a discipline, and as a profession. Students examine all elements of Marketing including integrated promotional strategies, consumer behavior, and ethics and social responsibility. Emphasis is placed on the Marketing Mix (Product, Place, Promotion and Price) as students design and implement a comprehensive marketing plan.

    Schedule Of Classes

Entrepreneurship Courses

  • BUSN 170 - Entrepreneurship Exploration

    BUSN 170 - Entrepreneurship Exploration

    4.00 credit hours

    Designed primarily to provide an overview of entrepreneurship, develop an entrepreneurial frame of mind and skills in discovering and communicating entrepreneurial opportunities. Students come up with a business idea and explore its potential for becoming a viable business. They learn to do market research and communicate—both in writing and orally—their findings in a final Pitchdeck project. Other important aspects of the course include self-assessment to determine one's strengths and weaknesses, and gaining a proactive perspective on life. This introductory course is open to students from all majors across campus who are interested in Entrepreneurship.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • BUSN 370 - Entrepreneurship Experimentation

    BUSN 370 - Entrepreneurship Experimentation

    4.00 credit hours

    Applies the principles of lean startup, customer development and iterative market testing to test whether you have a profitable business idea. This is a project-based course where skills in customer and market discovery, opportunity testing, iterative product development and entrepreneurial strategy are developed. In addition, skills in self-awareness, market responsiveness and creation of competitive advantage for oneself are cultivated.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • BUSN 470 - Entrepreneurship Strategy

    BUSN 470 - Entrepreneurship Strategy

    4.00 credit hours

    This is the capstone course in the Entrepreneurship major. This workshop-based course is a study in the application and integration of marketing, management, financial and operational resources, among others, needed to prepare a business plan, implement a new venture or grow an existing business. Students evaluate the obstacles facing entrepreneurs in start-up situations, including launching businesses and capitalizing on market opportunities.

    Schedule Of Classes

Two of the following:

  • INFS 115 - Introduction to Website Development

    INFS 115 - Introduction to Website Development

    4.00 credit hours

    A hands-on course which enables students to create websites. Includes an introduction to the Internet and the World Wide Web; HTML and HTML editors; artistic, organizational, technical and ethical considerations of website design and implementation; delivery across multiple platforms, from traditional computer display to mobile devices; and requirements analysis, design specifications, graphics optimization. Also, introduction to XHTML, DHTML, CSS and introduction to scripting (such as Ajax and JavaScript). Integrated laboratory.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • BUSN 374 - Applied Entrepreneurship

    BUSN 374 - Applied Entrepreneurship

    4.00 credit hours

    Offers students the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge about entrepreneurship and small business at a real startup in the Naperville area. This is accomplished through a combination of academic and practical components. Each course is tailored to meet the specific context of startups with all courses including: opportunity recognition, market discovery, customer creation and company building. Additionally, the course consists of weekly meetings with the faculty supervisor, a letter of agreement outlining the scope of the work, industry specific case studies, a mid-term status report and an end of term presentation of recommendations to the startup entrepreneur.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • LEAD 100 - Design Thinking for Social Impact

    LEAD 100 - Design Thinking for Social Impact

    4.00 credit hours

    As members of a diverse and global community, we face a variety of complex social issues. Students will learn the theory and practice of human-centered design, a creative approach to problem-solving that leads students through a process to empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test their ideas. Through readings, case studies, hands-on activities, field experiences, and interaction with community leaders and residents, students will develop the mindset and toolkit needed to create innovative solutions for change, regardless of the discipline or field of study they pursue. Students will identify local social or environmental challenges and work collaboratively to address them through the design thinking process.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • LEAD 200 - Social Innovation

    LEAD 200 - Social Innovation

    4.00 credit hours

    Students learn to utilize design thinking and systems thinking methodology in approaching social and environmental problems. Students will develop an innovative skillset and apply it directly to complex issues of their choosing, while building their efficacy as change-makers. Social innovation is derived from the practice of solution-oriented thinking, that seeks to create a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • LEAD 300 - Social Entrepreneurship

    LEAD 300 - Social Entrepreneurship

    4.00 credit hours

    An immersion into the rapidly-growing field of social entrepreneurship, teaching students how to address complex social or environmental challenges through the creation of market-based solutions that are innovative, measurable, sustainable and scalable. Through readings, interactive workshops, guest speakers, and field experiences, students will identify systemic social challenges and corresponding opportunities, pinpoint root causes, ideate and test possible solutions, explore funding sources, consider legal structures, and prepare an impact measurement plan. The course will culminate in a written social venture plan and pitch that communicates a viable solution to a social challenge.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • LEAD 370 - Marketing for Social Impact

    LEAD 370 - Marketing for Social Impact

    4.00 credit hours

    Effective marketing can be a lever for the creation of both economic and social value. Startups and existing organizations, whether focused on marketing goods, services, ideas or values, need a complete strategy for maximizing social impact. Social entrepreneurs face a unique challenge in not just identifying a market opportunity, but tackling a neglected market gap. In addition to understanding product, place, price, and promotion in the creation of a marketing plan, students will learn the theory and practice of branding and identity, storytelling and communication, and the use of available technological tools that contribute to positive social impact.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • LEAD 380 - Finance and Law for Social Impact Business

    LEAD 380 - Finance and Law for Social Impact Business

    4.00 credit hours

    Two early, but significant, challenges facing social entrepreneurs are financing the enterprise and determining what type of business entity the enterprise will be. This course explores a range of financing models and approaches, all of which present the social entrepreneur with the opportunity to both start and scale up a successful social enterprise. The course also considers the range of business entity options, both traditional and social enterprise specific, available to the social entrepreneur. Students will develop finance plans and business formation documents as major projects in the course.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • MKTG 340 - Professional Selling

    MKTG 340 - Professional Selling

    4.00 credit hours

    Introduces the fundamental principles and concepts of personal selling. Focuses on developing and maintaining relationships with customers, and managing the sales process of prospecting, approaching, interacting with, and keeping consumers while achieving the organization's goals. Emphasis is also placed on developing strong communications skills to deliver an effective sales presentation.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • MGMT 345 - Human Resource Management

    MGMT 345 - Human Resource Management

    4.00 credit hours

    Examines the basic functions of personnel and labor relations. Discussions focus on valuing, employing, developing, motivating and maintaining human resources in organizations. The history of the American labor movement and the collective bargaining process is also examined.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • MKTG 370 - Marketing Research

    MKTG 370 - Marketing Research

    4.00 credit hours

    Studies all stages of the marketing research process. Student teams work with clients from the business community who are in need of quantitative and qualitative research before making important managerial decisions. Students learn how to: design a survey instrument, collect and analyze primary data using various statistical tests, draw viable conclusions and propose solid recommendations. Emphasis is placed on writing a comprehensive research document and making a final oral presentation to a client at the end of the semester.

    Schedule Of Classes

Entrepreneurship Minor

Entrepreneurship focuses on developing capabilities in new enterprise development, customer validation and small and family business management.  Courses specifically build competencies in the entrepreneurial mindset, opportunity recognition, opportunity evaluation, business model design, raising capital and the lean startup methodology.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Management and Marketing.

A minimum of 24 credit hours, including:

  • SBEN 100 - Globalization and Society

    SBEN 100 - Globalization and Society

    4.00 credit hours

    An introductory course identifying the role of the business institution in our society, how business behavior is shaped and influenced by its stakeholders-managers, consumers, employees, government and community members. Key topics include: business systems, corporate governance, the business and society relationship, business and public issues, ethical dilemmas in business, corporate social responsibilities in relation to stakeholders, globalization, ecological and sustainability issues and the influence of technology on business and society.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • BUSN 170 - Entrepreneurship Exploration

    BUSN 170 - Entrepreneurship Exploration

    4.00 credit hours

    Designed primarily to provide an overview of entrepreneurship, develop an entrepreneurial frame of mind and skills in discovering and communicating entrepreneurial opportunities. Students come up with a business idea and explore its potential for becoming a viable business. They learn to do market research and communicate—both in writing and orally—their findings in a final Pitchdeck project. Other important aspects of the course include self-assessment to determine one's strengths and weaknesses, and gaining a proactive perspective on life. This introductory course is open to students from all majors across campus who are interested in Entrepreneurship.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • BUSN 370 - Entrepreneurship Experimentation

    BUSN 370 - Entrepreneurship Experimentation

    4.00 credit hours

    Applies the principles of lean startup, customer development and iterative market testing to test whether you have a profitable business idea. This is a project-based course where skills in customer and market discovery, opportunity testing, iterative product development and entrepreneurial strategy are developed. In addition, skills in self-awareness, market responsiveness and creation of competitive advantage for oneself are cultivated.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • ECON 200 - Principles of Microeconomics

    ECON 200 - Principles of Microeconomics

    4.00 credit hours

    Introduction to the theory of consumer choice, social and individual welfare, the behavior of business firms and market structure, and other applied microeconomic topics.

    Schedule Of Classes

Elective

Two of the following:

  • BUSN 374 - Applied Entrepreneurship

    BUSN 374 - Applied Entrepreneurship

    4.00 credit hours

    Offers students the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge about entrepreneurship and small business at a real startup in the Naperville area. This is accomplished through a combination of academic and practical components. Each course is tailored to meet the specific context of startups with all courses including: opportunity recognition, market discovery, customer creation and company building. Additionally, the course consists of weekly meetings with the faculty supervisor, a letter of agreement outlining the scope of the work, industry specific case studies, a mid-term status report and an end of term presentation of recommendations to the startup entrepreneur.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • BUSN 470 - Entrepreneurship Strategy

    BUSN 470 - Entrepreneurship Strategy

    4.00 credit hours

    This is the capstone course in the Entrepreneurship major. This workshop-based course is a study in the application and integration of marketing, management, financial and operational resources, among others, needed to prepare a business plan, implement a new venture or grow an existing business. Students evaluate the obstacles facing entrepreneurs in start-up situations, including launching businesses and capitalizing on market opportunities.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • MGMT 345 - Human Resource Management

    MGMT 345 - Human Resource Management

    4.00 credit hours

    Examines the basic functions of personnel and labor relations. Discussions focus on valuing, employing, developing, motivating and maintaining human resources in organizations. The history of the American labor movement and the collective bargaining process is also examined.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • MKTG 340 - Professional Selling

    MKTG 340 - Professional Selling

    4.00 credit hours

    Introduces the fundamental principles and concepts of personal selling. Focuses on developing and maintaining relationships with customers, and managing the sales process of prospecting, approaching, interacting with, and keeping consumers while achieving the organization's goals. Emphasis is also placed on developing strong communications skills to deliver an effective sales presentation.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • MKTG 370 - Marketing Research

    MKTG 370 - Marketing Research

    4.00 credit hours

    Studies all stages of the marketing research process. Student teams work with clients from the business community who are in need of quantitative and qualitative research before making important managerial decisions. Students learn how to: design a survey instrument, collect and analyze primary data using various statistical tests, draw viable conclusions and propose solid recommendations. Emphasis is placed on writing a comprehensive research document and making a final oral presentation to a client at the end of the semester.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • INFS 115 - Introduction to Website Development

    INFS 115 - Introduction to Website Development

    4.00 credit hours

    A hands-on course which enables students to create websites. Includes an introduction to the Internet and the World Wide Web; HTML and HTML editors; artistic, organizational, technical and ethical considerations of website design and implementation; delivery across multiple platforms, from traditional computer display to mobile devices; and requirements analysis, design specifications, graphics optimization. Also, introduction to XHTML, DHTML, CSS and introduction to scripting (such as Ajax and JavaScript). Integrated laboratory.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • LEAD 100 - Design Thinking for Social Impact

    LEAD 100 - Design Thinking for Social Impact

    4.00 credit hours

    As members of a diverse and global community, we face a variety of complex social issues. Students will learn the theory and practice of human-centered design, a creative approach to problem-solving that leads students through a process to empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test their ideas. Through readings, case studies, hands-on activities, field experiences, and interaction with community leaders and residents, students will develop the mindset and toolkit needed to create innovative solutions for change, regardless of the discipline or field of study they pursue. Students will identify local social or environmental challenges and work collaboratively to address them through the design thinking process.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • LEAD 200 - Social Innovation

    LEAD 200 - Social Innovation

    4.00 credit hours

    Students learn to utilize design thinking and systems thinking methodology in approaching social and environmental problems. Students will develop an innovative skillset and apply it directly to complex issues of their choosing, while building their efficacy as change-makers. Social innovation is derived from the practice of solution-oriented thinking, that seeks to create a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • LEAD 300 - Social Entrepreneurship

    LEAD 300 - Social Entrepreneurship

    4.00 credit hours

    An immersion into the rapidly-growing field of social entrepreneurship, teaching students how to address complex social or environmental challenges through the creation of market-based solutions that are innovative, measurable, sustainable and scalable. Through readings, interactive workshops, guest speakers, and field experiences, students will identify systemic social challenges and corresponding opportunities, pinpoint root causes, ideate and test possible solutions, explore funding sources, consider legal structures, and prepare an impact measurement plan. The course will culminate in a written social venture plan and pitch that communicates a viable solution to a social challenge.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • LEAD 370 - Marketing for Social Impact

    LEAD 370 - Marketing for Social Impact

    4.00 credit hours

    Effective marketing can be a lever for the creation of both economic and social value. Startups and existing organizations, whether focused on marketing goods, services, ideas or values, need a complete strategy for maximizing social impact. Social entrepreneurs face a unique challenge in not just identifying a market opportunity, but tackling a neglected market gap. In addition to understanding product, place, price, and promotion in the creation of a marketing plan, students will learn the theory and practice of branding and identity, storytelling and communication, and the use of available technological tools that contribute to positive social impact.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • LEAD 380 - Finance and Law for Social Impact Business

    LEAD 380 - Finance and Law for Social Impact Business

    4.00 credit hours

    Two early, but significant, challenges facing social entrepreneurs are financing the enterprise and determining what type of business entity the enterprise will be. This course explores a range of financing models and approaches, all of which present the social entrepreneur with the opportunity to both start and scale up a successful social enterprise. The course also considers the range of business entity options, both traditional and social enterprise specific, available to the social entrepreneur. Students will develop finance plans and business formation documents as major projects in the course.

    Schedule Of Classes

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management Internships and Jobs

A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead.

Internships

  • Alive Center
  • CIS Onsite
  • Hilary Lamon
  • Michael R Trauscht CPA PC
  • MSUS
  • Painting with a Twist
  • R. Streiter Ltd.
  • Southern Wine and Spirits
  • Walker Athletics
  • WreathWorks Home and Garden

Careers

Graduates employed with the following companies

  • DSW
  • T-PROMOS, LLC
  • Division D
  • Nordstrom
  • Travelers
  • DLT Upholstery Supply
  • RSM
  • WreathWorks Home and Garden

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