Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurial Studies Degree
Prepare To Transform Your Ideas Into Business Ventures
A Bachelor of Science (BS) in Entrepreneurial Studies from Grand Canyon University may empower you to turn your ideas into functional businesses. In entrepreneurial studies classes, you will have the opportunity to gain the skills necessary to take a business idea from conception through funding and development.
Offered by the Colangelo College of Business, this degree is ideally suited to individuals with an entrepreneurial mindset, although the core business competencies taught here may also support the career goals of intrapreneurs and those who enjoy working in startup environments.
Collaborative skills and hands-on learning activities are focal points in this business degree. Small learning groups provide opportunities for future entrepreneurs to network and create vital business relationships. Peers and faculty alike may act as mentors and sounding boards for creative idea generation and business proposal development.
Pursue Your Entrepreneurial Studies Degree From GCU
As an entrepreneurial studies major, you can become immersed within a modern curriculum that teaches you how to tackle modern problems in business. Examine a wide range of competencies that are central to the startup environment — from concept ideation to marketing to finance and beyond. There is a focus on servant leadership and ethical decision-making in all our degree programs, and you will work through faith-integrated courses that encourage you to model a Christ-like character.
Campus students may also access the IDEA Club Marketplaces, Canyon Challenge Business Plan Competitions and insights from the Angel Investor Group with our Canyon Angels team. This includes students leading due diligence into startup companies from across the country that are raising capital from our accredited investors.
Explore Key Skills for Building Your Own Business
This degree program teaches the core areas and skills that are typically needed to establish, develop and run any type of business. You can benefit from the instruction and knowledge of your professors, who will guide you in examining the crucial business practices and skills needed to be a professional entrepreneur.
Some of the competencies you will be taught include the following:
- Developing novel product and services to solve unmet human needs
- Using design theory to identify and solve practical problems
- Developing business opportunities through networking and long-term connections
- Creating mission-driven concepts to benefit both the business and society
- Making technology work to scale ventures appropriately
- Finding funding to bring new ideas to life
- Communicating using effective oral and written strategies
- Applying descriptive and inferential statistics in business
- Understanding consumer behavior and marketing research
- Exploring managerial concepts and strategies
- Navigating legal and ethical issues in business
Study Idea Cultivation and Business Law
Entrepreneurship generally involves striking out on one’s own to solve problems. As an entrepreneurial studies major, you will be taught coursework that can prepare you to be well-rounded in any business field. An entrepreneur usually oversees all aspects of their business, especially in early stages. As a graduate of this program, you will have been taught to understand business practices from the ground up.
Coursework in the entrepreneurial studies degree focuses on:
- Public relations
- Operations management
- Ethical leadership
- Finance and accounting
- Business law
- Human resources
- Marketing
- Work environments and culture
[Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid]
Online: $485 per credit
[Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid]
Cost of Attendance
Career Paths for Entrepreneurial Studies Majors
This entrepreneurial studies degree program is designed to teach a wide range of business competencies and transferable skills. You will have the opportunity to become technologically savvy, well-rounded in business knowledge and a persistent lifelong learner.
While many may end up working for themselves, individuals with strong business competencies may also find themselves in a variety of roles, such as that of a chief executive or general and operations manager.
Graduate from an ACBSP-Accredited Program
This degree program in entrepreneurial studies has received programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The ACBSP is an accrediting organization that has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
GCU is an institutionally accredited university, having been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. The Colangelo College of Business shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Turn your passion into a lifelong career as an entrepreneur.
1Indeed Editorial Team. (2024, April 18). What Jobs Can You Pursue With an Entrepreneurship Degree? Indeed. Retrieved Oct. 30, 2024.
General Education Requirements
General Education coursework prepares Grand Canyon University graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and thoughtfully integrate their faith and ethical convictions into all dimensions of life. These competencies, essential to an effective and satisfying life, are outlined in the General Education Learner Outcomes. General Education courses embody the breadth of human understanding and creativity contained in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students take an array of foundational knowledge courses that promote expanded knowledge, insight, and the outcomes identified in the University's General Education Competencies. The knowledge and skills students acquire through these courses serve as a foundation for successful careers and lifelong journeys of growing understanding and wisdom.
Requirements
Upon completion of the Grand Canyon University's University Foundation experience, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of academic skills and self-leadership. They will be able to articulate the range of resources available to assist them, explore career options related to their area of study, and have knowledge of Grand Canyon's community. Students will be able to demonstrate foundational academic success skills, explore GCU resources (CLA, Library, Career Center, ADA office, etc), articulate strategies of self-leadership and management and recognize opportunities to engage in the GCU community.
Course Options
- UNV-103, University Success: 4
- UNV-303, University Success: 4
- UNV-108, University Success in the College of Education: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to construct rhetorically effective communications appropriate to diverse audiences, purposes, and occasions (English composition, communication, critical reading, foreign language, sign language, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of English grammar or composition.
Course Options
- UNV-104, 21st Century Skills: Communication and Information Literacy: 4
- ENG-105, English Composition I: 4
- ENG-106, English Composition II: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to express aspects of Christian heritage and worldview. Students are required to take CWV-101/CWV-301.
Course Options
- CWV-101, Christian Worldview: 4
- CWV-301, Christian Worldview: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to use various analytic and problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate, and/or challenge ideas and arguments (mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy, physical geography, ecology, economics, theology, logic, philosophy, technology, statistics, accounting, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of intermediate algebra or higher.
Course Options
- MAT-154, Applications of College Algebra: 4
- MAT-144, College Mathematics: 4
- PHI-105, 21st Century Skills: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: 4
- BIO-220, Environmental Science: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate awareness and appreciation of and empathy for differences in arts and culture, values, experiences, historical perspectives, and other aspects of life (psychology, sociology, government, Christian studies, Bible, geography, anthropology, economics, political science, child and family studies, law, ethics, cross-cultural studies, history, art, music, dance, theater, applied arts, literature, health, etc.). If the predefined course is a part of the major, students need to take an additional course.
Course Options
- HIS-144, U.S. History Themes: 4
- PSY-102, General Psychology: 4
- SOC-100, Everyday Sociology: 4
Core Courses
Course Description
This course provides the foundation of core knowledge within the field of information technology. Topics include technology-centric organizations, the type and role of fundamental information technology systems, data management to include privacy and security, e-business and m-business, hardware, software, and computer networks.
Course Description
This writing-intensive course teaches students to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems, developing and testing hypotheses as they learn to create a new product or service.
Course Description
This course introduces models and practices used by contemporary marketers in fast-paced, dynamic, domestic and global markets, including the marketing concept and processes for developing, implementing, and assessing the effectiveness of marketing plans. Building from a foundational understanding of consumer behavior and marketing research, students examine the development and implementation of marketing mix strategies and tactics with an emphasis of how marketing integrates within all aspects of business.
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the practical application of descriptive and inferential statistics in business. Topics include probability, probability distributions, the central limit theorem, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, correlation, and regression. Prerequisite: MAT-134, MAT-144, MAT-154, or higher subsequent math course.
Course Description
In this course, students examine basic accounting concepts and explore how accounting information assists business leaders in making financial decisions that increase profitability and contribute to competitive advantage. There is specific emphasis on the analysis of financial statements in the business decision-making process, budgeting, and factors businesses must consider when determining appropriate pricing of goods and services. Prerequisite: MAT-134, MAT-144, MAT-154, or higher subsequent math course.
Course Description
This course focuses on the fundamental ideas of microeconomics. Students examine the market forces of supply and demand under different market structures in order to understand how economic agents make decisions about both consumption and production. The structure, conduct, and performance of markets are evaluated through analysis of consumer, producer, and societal welfare. Students explore the topic of factor markets in which the incomes of most workers and owners of capital and property are determined. Prerequisites: ACC-240 or ACC-250 and BUS-352.
Course Description
This course is designed to build effective communication and networking skills so that students can leverage contacts and relationships to create business opportunities. The importance of building a professional and trustworthy business reputation is also addressed. Prerequisite: ENT-436 or ESG-210.
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to designing, planning, operating, and controlling production systems. Emphasis is on managerial concepts and strategies relating to the management of operations in both manufacturing and service environments. Quantitative and qualitative methods and tools are introduced and applied. Prerequisite: BUS-352, MAT-274, MAT-374, or ESG-374.
Course Description
This course focuses on the national economy by examining macroeconomic data measuring national income, the cost of living, production and growth, and unemployment. Students examine the basic functions of the monetary system and analyze the macro economy in terms of long-run economic productivity and growth and in terms short-run fluctuations. The influence and effect of macroeconomic policy is studied within the context of current events. Prerequisite: ECN-361.
Course Description
This course is an introduction to managerial finance and the financial markets, analysis of financial statements, time value of money, interest rates, asset valuation, assessment of risk, cost of capital, and capital budgeting. Prerequisites: ECN-220, ECN-351, or ECN-361; and ACC-240 or ACC-250.
Course Description
This writing-intensive course is a comprehensive study of the legal and ethical issues of concern to business, including those areas of the U.S. legal system that are most relevant to business, such as the law of torts, strict liability, intellectual property, and contract law. It explores the role of ethics and values in business decision making and approaches these subjects from the perspective of the stakeholders as opposed to an economic interpretation of the firm and its responsibilities.
Course Description
In this course, students test hypotheses or develop new hypotheses, cycling through a series of tests to develop a scalable business model, culminating in the development of a pitch for potential investors. Prerequisite: ENT-436 or STG-110 or ESG-210.
Course Description
Drawing upon real-world management situations, this course is a study of individual and group behavior in organizations through detailed coverage of the functions of management, individual differences/diversity, leadership, motivation, decision making, organizational design, and organizational change and development. Emphasis is placed on how an understanding of organizational behavior leads to effective management practice.
Course Description
This course examines the growth of the venture capital market and provides students with an understanding of the advantages and risks associated with venture capital financing. Both start-up and growth needs are explored. The course focuses on the more practical aspects of structuring transactions that add value for the firm, owners, and financial backers. Prerequisite: ENT-446.
Course Description
This writing-intensive course serves as the capstone experience in business and management, introducing students to functional, business, and corporate strategy from the perspective of a strategy analyst. Tools and techniques are applied to the student’s previous knowledge of accounting, finance, management, analytics, marketing, economics, entrepreneurship, and leadership acquired through their individual programs of study. Students integrate strategic analysis to demonstrate mastery of a wide variety of business domains. Prerequisites: MGT-420 or MGT-422HN; FIN-210 or FIN-350; and MKT-245 or MKT-315.
- GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
- Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
- Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change
Join Grand Canyon University’s vibrant and growing campus community, with daytime classes designed for traditional students. Immerse yourself in a full undergraduate experience, complete with curriculum designed within the context of our Christian worldview.
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.