If you are a self-starter interested in embarking on a leadership career path, you might consider pursuing an online masters in entrepreneurship.
An entrepreneurship masters program can help you further advance your business skills and qualifications.
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Earning your business degree online can help you to start developing your business leadership acumen while maintaining your current responsibilities.
Universities Offering Online Master’s in Entrepreneurship Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
American Public University
American Public University offers an online program for a Master of Arts in Entrepreneurship. Courses start monthly and are either 8 or 16 weeks long. Available concentrations include General, Sports Fitness, Small Business, and Business Analytics.
Potential courses include Ideation, Global Management Perspective, Managerial Analysis, and Legal Practices for Entrepreneurs.
American Public University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Babson College
Babson College offers an online program for a Master of Science in Management in Advanced Entrepreneurial Leadership.
This 30 credit, 2 year program is intended for mid-career professionals. It aims to help students develop their skills in creative problem-solving, action-oriented innovation, and growth marketing. Applicants do not need to submit GRE or GMAT scores.
Babson College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University offers a Master of Entrepreneurial Ventures. The program aims to help students learn how to form new business entities, build and motivate teams, and raise capital from investors.
Students in the program have the opportunity to assemble a portfolio of investment-related documents and intellectual property strategies.
Central Michigan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Concordia University – Wisconsin
Concordia University—Wisconsin offers an MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The program requires the completion of 36 credits to graduate.
Potential courses in the curriculum include Ethical Leadership for Dynamic Organizations, People-Focused Management, Managerial Economics, and Publicity and Public Relations.
Concordia University – Wisconsin is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Drexel University
Drexel University offers an online Master’s in Entrepreneurship and Innovation program. Courses are taken in four, 10 week quarters each year. Potential courses include Legal Issues in New Ventures, Entrepreneurship Practice and Mindset, Learning from Failure, and Building Internal and External Relationships.
Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Houston Baptist University
Houston Baptist University offers a Master of Science in Management and Entrepreneurship. The program is 100% online, and no business background is required. It consists of eleven courses for a total of 33 credit hours and can potentially be finished in just one year.
Houston Baptist University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Indiana University
Indiana University offers an MS in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The program consists of 30 credit hours and can typically be completed in 15 months. Students are required to participate in two in-residence courses and also have the option to study abroad.
Potential courses include Managing Accounting Information for Decision-Making, Strategic Entrepreneurship, and Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Indiana University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University offers an online program for a Master of Biotechnology Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. The program includes ten courses that can typically be completed in 20 to 36 months.
The curriculum covers funding strategies, leadership and management, product development, marketing, intellectual property, and law and ethics. Students are also required to take an interactive practicum class.
Johns Hopkins University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Lindenwood University
Lindenwood University offers an MS in Fashion Business and Entrepreneurship. The degree is available in both traditional and online formats. There is a fast-track option that can potentially enable students to finish the degree in just 1 year.
Potential courses include Financial Accounting Concepts, Business Concepts, and Economic Concepts.
Lindenwood University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Miami University
Miami University offers an online Master’s in Entrepreneurship and Emerging Technology program. It can typically be completed in 10 months and is designed to provide experiential learning opportunities. Students are required to complete an internship and a graduate research project.
Online students have access to both academic and technical support. Neither GMAT nor GRE scores are needed to apply.
Miami University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University offers an online Master’s in Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship. It requires the completion of 33 credits and provides the opportunity to participate in an optional week-long global immersion trip.
Applicants are expected to have at least three years of relevant work experience in business or a STEM field.
Pennsylvania State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University offers an MA in Social Entrepreneurship and Change. The program includes a capstone project and global immersion experiences that can be customized to focus on social entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, or corporate social responsibility.
The program uses a hybrid of in-person and online learning. It can typically be completed in 20 months.
Pepperdine University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges—Senior College and University Commission.
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University offers an online program for an MBA in Entrepreneurship that can potentially be completed in about 1 year. There are no set meeting times, so students have complete control over their schedules.
Potential courses offered include Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, Measuring Success in an Organization, and Organizational Strategy in a Global Environment.
Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
St. John’s University
St. John’s University offers a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The program includes yearly business plan and elevator pitch competitions. Potential courses include Invention, Innovation, and Lab to Market, Seminar in Entrepreneurship, Creating an E-Commerce Business, and Seminar in Strategic Management.
St. John’s University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Syracuse University
Syracuse University offers an online program for a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship. It requires no GMAT scores to apply and can potentially be completed in just 15 months.
The program requires the completion of 15 credits of business foundation courses, 12 credits of entrepreneurship core courses, and a capstone course worth 3 credits.
Syracuse University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Temple University
Temple University offers an Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship MS. The program includes hands-on projects and collaboration with classmates.
The degree can be completed in person, online, or in a hybrid format. Coursework is designed to prepare students for the New Product Development Professional certification exam from the Product Development Management Association.
Temple University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona offers an online Master of Science in Entrepreneurship program. It requires the completion of 30 credits that usually take at least 1 year to complete.
Potential courses include Principles of Entrepreneurship, Customer Focused Entrepreneurship, Industry Analysis and New Venture Development, and New Venture Finance.
The University of Arizona is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
University of Florida
The University of Florida offers a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship.
The online program requires no campus visits and is open to students with any undergraduate degree. It requires the completion of 32 credits and is designed to be completed in 1 year, but more time can be taken if needed.
The University of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida offers a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship in Applied Technologies. Most students can complete the program within 1 to 2 years. All courses are available on campus, but some courses may be taken online.
The curriculum covers topics such as technology and market assessment, product commercialization, and new venture financing.
The University of South Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University offers an ME in Innovation Leadership and Entrepreneurship. The program requires the completion of 30 semester hours of coursework and can be completed entirely online.
The curriculum was developed by the National Content Standards for Entrepreneurship Education. It aims to help students learn how to identify market opportunities and launch and grow a business.
Western Carolina University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Online Masters in Entrepreneurship Programs
A master’s degree in entrepreneurship online can offer the flexibility needed to continue your current life priorities without sacrificing the quality of your education.
A masters in entrepreneurship typically focuses predominantly on entrepreneurial leadership. This degree can be especially beneficial if you want to take a deep dive into entrepreneurship for the first time or if you’re looking to advance your current career.
In a Master of Entrepreneurship program, you will typically encounter coursework in the following areas of entrepreneurial leadership:
- New venture planning
- Economics
- Innovation
- Legal practices
Select programs may require you to design a new business plan as a capstone project. With an entrepreneurial master’s degree, you may pursue a position as a chief executive, a business development officer, or a general manager.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Careers & Salaries
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are some business and management positions associated with entrepreneurial studies.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Chief Executives | $189,520 |
| Marketing Managers | $140,040 |
| Financial Managers | $139,790 |
| Sales Managers | $130,600 |
| Human Resources Managers | $130,000 |
| Training and Development Managers |
$120,000 |
| Fundraising Managers | $107,390 |
| Administrative Services Managers |
$103,330 |
| General and Operations Managers | $98,100 |
| Management Analysts | $95,290 |
Many professionals with masters-level training in entrepreneurship work in leadership roles in business organizations.
MS in Entrepreneurship Curriculum & Courses
The courses in a masters program in entrepreneurship will vary from school to school, but these are some common courses you may find and what they will likely entail:
- Entrepreneurial Strategy: This course explores how to make effective decisions.
- Entrepreneurial Innovation: This class discusses how to develop and implement new ideas.
- Planning and Forecasting: In this class, you can learn how to use research to make informed business decisions.
- Leadership: You’ll likely take a leadership course to teach you how to manage teams, departments, and organizations.
- Venture Capital: This course explores how to find and secure funding sources.
- Legal Practice for Entrepreneurs: This class covers legal and tax laws that entrepreneurs should know.
- International and Global Entrepreneurship: While some entrepreneurs keep their businesses smaller, many find it necessary to reach an international market. This course explores how to do that through expansion and global networks.
- Essentials of Accounting for Entrepreneurs: This class covers accounting strategies specifically for entrepreneurs.
- Entrepreneurial Marketing: This course explores how to effectively market a business.
- Social Media Marketing: This course covers how to utilize social media platforms to target prospective customers.
Online entrepreneurship master degrees typically focus on developing decision-making and leadership skills for the business industry.
How to Choose an Online Entrepreneurship Master’s Degree Program
Every online master’s degree in entrepreneurship program will vary in what it offers. Here are some items to consider when deciding on the best schools for entrepreneurship for you:
- Degree type. An MBA program with an entrepreneurship specialization can provide a greater breadth of knowledge about the business landscape. In comparison, an MS in Entrepreneurship can provide greater depth into entrepreneurial leadership specifically.
- Cost. Tuition costs and program fees can vary greatly between schools. You may also want to compare the financial aid opportunities that are offered by each of your prospective schools.
- Capstone project. Some programs require the completion of a capstone project where you can start mapping out a business idea, but other programs do not.
- Online vs. hybrid. Some programs are 100% online, while others have more of a hybrid format, with some on-campus classes or seminars required.
There is no perfect program, only a program best suited for you. The above factors can help you think more deeply about your specific goals and preferences when pursuing a master’s degree in entrepreneurship.
Online Masters Degree Entrepreneurship Admissions Requirements
Admission criteria for masters in entrepreneurship programs can vary from school to school, but here are some common requirements:
- Test scores. GRE or GMAT scores are not required by all schools.
- Letters of recommendation. Some schools may require that you obtain at least one or more of your recommendations from a specific source, such as a former supervisor.
- Resume and work experience. Since a masters in entrepreneurship is a leadership degree, your program will likely want to see your previous work or leadership background.
- Essays. Each program will have different requirements. Some will ask for short essays on specific topics, some will ask for previous writing samples, and some may ask for both.
- Official transcripts. Schools generally want transcripts sent directly from any and all previous schools you attended.
It’s beneficial to always check a program’s specific requirements and deadlines in advance to give yourself plenty of time to prepare your materials.
Entrepreneurship Graduate Programs Accreditation
It is important to check if your school is accredited by a regional organization. Regional accreditation helps to ensure that your degree will be recognized by employers and other accredited institutions.
If your school is regionally accredited, it means that its educational programs and student services have been evaluated and found to meet high-quality standards. Attending an accredited institution can be a precondition for some certifications as well as for government aid.
Moreover, credits earned from accredited online bachelors in entrepreneurship and associates degree in entrepreneurship online programs are generally accepted when pursuing advanced degrees. This highlights the relevance of accreditation in your educational journey.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Many graduate students seek financial aid, and there are many different opportunities to pursue:
- Federal aid. Federal aid comes in the form of grants, student loans, and work-study programs.
- State aid. State aid is similar to federal aid but funds are specifically intended for qualifying students who study in that specific state.
- Employer programs. Some employers will offer tuition reimbursement toward specific programs. You can check with your supervisor or HR department to see if your work offers any financial aid opportunities.
- Scholarships. Scholarships are available from many different sources. You can check with your prospective school as well as local institutions and organizations.
You can see if you qualify for need-based aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can also contact all the organizations you are part of to see if they offer funding opportunities.
Entrepreneurship Professional Organizations
Joining a professional organization can help you build networks with peers or potential mentors. Here are some entrepreneurship organizations you can consider:
In a professional network, you can have the opportunity to meet people with whom you can share business ideas and maybe even collaborate. Being a member of an entrepreneurial organization is also a strategic way to keep up with current trends in the industry.
Do Entrepreneurs Need a Master’s Degree?
A master’s degree is not required to be an entrepreneur, but there are many benefits to receiving an advanced education in the field.
For starters, a graduate degree in entrepreneurship can help you further your expertise and qualifications in business. You can also gain advanced knowledge regarding leadership principles and practices.
In addition, if you have a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field, pursuing a master’s in entrepreneurship can help you develop practical skill sets that are vital to starting or running a business.
What Can I Do with a Masters in Entrepreneurship?
With a master’s degree in entrepreneurship, you may be better prepared to work in various leadership roles. The level of these jobs will often depend on your previous work experience.
For instance, top-level executive jobs usually require several years of work experience in addition to a degree. Many entrepreneurs utilize their training to start or grow their own businesses. Others may pursue management, leadership, or consulting positions in various business settings.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Master in Entrepreneurship Online?
Most master’s of entrepreneurship degrees take 1 to 2 years to complete with full-time enrollment. If a program consists of 36 credit hours or less, it could potentially be completed in 1 year of year-round, full-time study if there’s no thesis requirement.
If a program has a thesis component, it will often take longer to finish. Attending part-time could also extend your completion time.
What’s the Difference Between an MBA vs. Masters in Entrepreneurship?
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in entrepreneurship is a popular alternative to earning a masters in entrepreneurship. Though these degrees may seem similar, they do diverge in some key ways.
- MBA in Entrepreneurship: This degree lets you focus on entrepreneurship while gaining a broader business education. An MBA will likely have courses in all business disciplines. An MBA is typically for professionals with several years of work experience.
- Masters in Entrepreneurship: This option lets you focus predominantly on entrepreneurial leadership. This degree may be a better fit for those who are just starting their careers and want to dive deeper into entrepreneurial studies.
If you are still discovering your business niche, an MBA in Entrepreneurship may help you get a broader feel for the business world as a whole. Some universities even offer an online MBA in Entrepreneurship in addition to their on-campus program.
Is a Masters in Entrepreneurship Worth It?
Yes, a masters in entrepreneurship is worth it for many students. If you are just starting out in business, a master’s degree can help you demonstrate that you have the core skills and knowledge needed to join the industry.
If you have already been in the industry for years, a graduate degree in entrepreneurship can help you specialize your expertise and qualifications, helping you qualify for promotion and growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 7% job growth for business and financial occupations over the next ten years.
Getting Your Masters Degree in Entrepreneurship Online
There are many accredited universities that provide an entrepreneurship masters degree online. There is also a growing number of universities that offer online PhD in Entrepreneurship programs.
Earning a graduate degree in this field can offer possibilities for leadership training and advancement. You can develop your business and leadership skill sets and utilize them to pursue a career in the sector of your choosing.
Whether you are wanting to start or advance in your business career, a master’s degree in entrepreneurship can help you strengthen your skills.
You can start exploring accredited schools today to find the online master in entrepreneurship program that best aligns with your professional goals.
