Undergraduate Business

Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management

The role of privately owned, small businesses is vital to creating and maintaining the health of our state, regional, and national economy. To support this crucial segment of commerce, the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) offers entrepreneurial education for students and citizens throughout Iowa. Entrepreneurial firms develop important innovations and products and create the vast majority of new jobs each year.

The JPEC provides a unique opportunity for all University of Iowa students to take courses in entrepreneurship and earn a Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management in addition to their undergraduate major. The JPEC partners with the Iowa community colleges to teach entrepreneurship programs statewide, and it offers several programs to foster the development of entrepreneurial skills in Iowa's youth.

The Henry B. Tippie College of Business and John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center offer University of Iowa students an exciting opportunity to earn the certificate in addition to their undergraduate degree. This collaboration among the Colleges of Business, Engineering, and Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the health colleges allows students from all disciplines to study the entrepreneurial process. As a participant in the certificate program, you learn from a select team of University faculty and business leaders, chosen for their ability to teach, model, and inspire the entrepreneurial process.

The entrepreneurship program not only serves students who intend to start and lead their own company, but it also helps all students understand how entrepreneurial firms operate. Innovation, creativity, and opportunity recognition are critical skills necessary for anyone entering the marketplace. Learning these entrepreneurial skills will prepare you for diverse and ever-changing opportunities you will face throughout your lifetime.

Some of the benefits you can expect from the entrepreneurship program include:

  • Identifying methods of enhancing and managing innovation and creativity in an organization.
  • Learning the process of properly evaluating opportunities for starting a new venture or expanding an existing compan.y
  • Understanding the entrepreneurial approach to acquiring and managing resources.
  • Acquiring team-building skills critical in both small and large companies.
  • Developing sound business planning skills necessary for launching a new venture.
  • Obtaining valuable contacts and networking opportunities with successful entrepreneurs and other business leaders.

To earn the Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management, Henry B. Tippie College of Business students must complete a minimum of 18 semester hours, 12 of which must be the following:

  • 6T:120 Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  • 6T:133 Entrepreneurial Finance
  • 6T:134 Entrepreneurial Marketing
  • 6T:150 Managing the Growth Business

Students may choose from several electives to fulfill the remaining 6 semester hours:

  • 6T:101 Directed Readings (with JPEC Director David Hensley)
  • 6T:144 Nonprofit Organizational Effectiveness
  • 6T:145 Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship
  • 6T:146 Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation
  • 6T:147 Social Entrepreneurship
  • 6T:148 E-Commerce Strategies for Entrepreneurs
  • 6T:155 Arts Leadership Seminar
  • 6T:190 Seminar in Entrepreneurship
  • 6T:192 Entrepreneurship: Business Consulting
  • 6T:194 Advanced Business Planning
  • 6T:199 Academic Internship
  • 6J:125 Entrepreneurial Strategy
  • 6J:156 Dynamics of Negotiations

Other University of Iowa courses may count toward meeting the elective requirements for the certificate. Contact the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center for details.

A complete listing of entrepreneurship courses are listed on ISIS.

For more information about the Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management, call the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, (319) 335-1022, or visit its web site.