MBA Concentration in Entrepreneurship

 

 

Georgia State University is ranked among the top university entrepreneurship programs in the U.S. by Entrepreneur magazine

 

 

Herman J. Russell, Sr. International Center for Entrepreneurship

J. Mack Robinson College Business

Georgia State University

 

Do you know how to manage the risks of starting your own business?  Are you capable of directing that emerging new business at the corporation where you work now?  If you're not sure, consider enrolling in Georgia State University's MBA Concentration in Entrepreneurship, or take a couple of our entrepreneurship classes.  The classes in the Russell Entrepreneur Center can improve the odds of your success by blending a foundation of cutting-edge business theory with hands-on development of real business plans and projects, including your own!  In all our classes you have exciting opportunities to interact with successful entrepreneurs and venture investors.

 

In addition to the classes, the Russell Entrepreneurship Center offers:

 

·        Scholarships in our Field Study class

·        Business plan competitions where the top prize is $5,000

·        The Entrepreneur Network, an organization of students interested in starting new businesses

·        Meetings with some of the top entrepreneurs and investors in Atlanta

·        International study

 

MBA Concentration in Entrepreneurship

 

After you've taken several of the core MBA courses, you can begin the concentration in entrepreneurship, which involves completion of twelve semester hours, or four courses. Start with MGS 8500, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise.  It's an introductory survey course on how entrepreneurs operate and the environment they work in.  You'll interview an entrepreneur up close and personal, and you'll study the feasibility of a real business concept (maybe your own!).  With prior experience or class work, exemption from the course is permitted.

 

Then take MGS 8510, Business Plan Development, where you write a business plan that is presented to real potential investors or entered into a business plan competition. 

 

 

(over)

 

Take one of the following electives, or take two if you exempted MGS 8500:

 

            IB 8100           International Entrepreneurship:  Take your venture into a foreign country.

            IB 8680           Technology & Global Competition:  Manage development of new technologies.  

            MGS 8420      Enhancing Leadership Skills:  Improve your leadership potential.

                MGS 8425      Coaching for Leadership:  Learn to assist business leaders one-on-one.

            MGS 8430      Negotiation:  Practice how to negotiate a deal.

                MGS 8460      Consulting Practice & Theory:  Be a management consultant.

            MGS 8620      Competitor Analysis: Anticipate your competitors' moves.

 

            If the above electives aren’t right for you, propose one that is and we’ll consider it.

 

Finally, put all your knowledge to work on a semester-long independent project at an entrepreneurial company in MGS 8590, Field Study in Entrepreneurship.  If you perform well, you receive a $1,000 scholarship, and many students have made valuable business connections in this course.

 

Our Entrepreneurial Faculty

 

Our outstanding teachers are dedicated to helping you learn how to build a successful business:

 

Dr. Ilgaz Arikan is an entrepreneur himself and he studies how entrepreneurs gain competative advantage in different types of markets.

 

Dr. Deborah Butler is an experienced business owner and coach for many Atlanta entrepreneurs.  She directs the Georgia State University Society of Entrepreneurs.

 

Dr. Alice de Koning has worked in many countries and is experienced at assisting entrepreneurs with technology-based companies.

 

Dr. Irene Duhaime is holder of the Zwerner Chair of Entrepreneurship and Family Business.  Her expertise in strategic management has won prestigious international awards.

 

Dr. Brett Gilbert can show you how to start your new business. Her study of how new businesses benefit from starting in the right location has been recognized nationally.

 

Dr. Denis Gregorie, also an experienced business owner, studies how entrepreneurs spot new business opportunities, and he can help you spot one too.

 

Mr. Chris Hanks is a successful serial entrepreneur, inspiring teacher, and investor.  He is the faculty advisor to the student Entrepreneur Network.

  

Dr. Susan Houghton can show you how entrepreneurs think and the risky biases that they often bring to their businesses.

 

Dr. Ben Oviatt studies global start-ups and can explain how entrepreneurs successfully take their young ventures international in a hurry.

 

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Please see www.robinson.gsu.edu/rec.  For more information please contact Dr. Ben Oviatt, Director of the Herman J. Russell, Sr. International Center for Entrepreneurship, at 404-651-3021, benoviatt@gsu.edu, or P.O. Box 4014, J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302-4014.