Concentration in E-Business for
Entrepreneurs and Small Business

Program description

The E-Business for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Program at Fort Hays State University’s College of Business and Leadership is an undergraduate concentration that introduces students to the fundamental concepts and practices of creating new enterprises in the private and public sectors. Students can take the e-business for entrepreneurs and small business concentration in conjunction with their chosen major in any academic field, including business and leadership, liberal arts and sciences, education and technology, and health and life sciences. The program has the following distinguishing features:

• Curriculum encompasses student's major and e-business for entrepreneurs and small business
• Students will have an opportunity to engage in e-business for entrepreneurs and small business through lectures, internships, and mentoring opportunities
• Emphasis on excellence in ethical leadership and commitment to global impact

Requirements
 
Students in the e-business for entrepreneurs and small business program must complete the requirements for a Bachelors degree in chosen field, along with a concentration in e-business for entrepreneurs and small business. Students must satisfy the University and College core curricula relevant to their major. 

In addition to the course work below, e-business for entrepreneurs and small business students participate in a variety of co-curricular activities introducing them to entrepreneurial organizations, leaders, and practices. These activities include regular lectures by qualified faculty and entrepreneurs, site visits, internships, and mentor relationships. Students are expected to participate in these co-curricular activities and events.

The following course requirements for the e-business for entrepreneurs and small business concentration amount to 21 credit hours for business administration majors.

Courses

These are required courses reserved exclusively for students who have been accepted into the E-Business for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Program:

MGT 6XX Introduction to E-Business Strategy (new course)

This course is an overview of the theories and techniques for e-business and e-commerce management and operation. It covers the full range of topics necessary for understanding and undertaking e-business activities. The student will learn about the history of the Internet, about the hardware and software aspect as well as the management and marketing of an Internet business. How to decide to bring a business on-line, how to choose a business model, how to manage transactions and market the business as well as how to code the pages and content are all necessary skills for the e-business manager and will be covered in this course. Requisites: Junior standing and PERM.

MKT 609 Strategic Electronic Marketing (existing course)

This course explores the basic principles that underlie marketing and how e-business marketing techniques will fundamentally change the traditional marketing process. This course prepares students for careers in a rapidly changing environment of non-linear, online, interactive advertising; new product development and distribution processes; and reliance on databases. Students will learn how to use Internet technologies necessary for executing marketing strategy. Requisites: PR, MKT 301 or PERM.

CIS 673 E-Commerce (existing course, but will need to be modified)

This course provides a broad coverage of key business and technology elements for creating and maintaining an electronic commerce site. Current issues in electronic commerce infrastructure, security options, management techniques, marketing strategies, and payment systems are presented and discussed. The course will provide case studies to demonstrate successful implementation of electronic storefronts. Topics will include: Secure sales, transaction processing, fraud screening, customer service, sales tax collection, order fulfillment, warehouse integration, channel sales tracking, call center services, marketing programs. Requisites: Junior standing.

INT 250 Introduction to Web Development (existing course)

This course provides the concepts and skills for planning, development, and deployment of web-based hypermedia systems. It covers the use of text, graphics, audio, and video in web environments and the conversion of existing systems to web environments. A major web-based project is required. This is a required course for INT majors. Requisites: PR, CIS 101, CSCI 163 or equivalent.

INT 651 Advanced Web Development (existing course)

Advanced techniques and concepts for the planning, development, and implementation of information systems on the World Wide Web or organizational intranets. Extensive study of principles of interaction design, security, and performance. Requisites: PR, CIS 101 or CSCI 163 or equivalent and INT 250.

INT 658 Law of Cyberspace (existing course, but will need to be modified)

An in-depth examination of key legal issues central to the Internet. This course examines Internet operational issues such as copyright and fair use of images, text, video, and audio, domain name registration, trademarks, trade secrets, patents, and ISP liability. It examines regulation of the Internet and key criminal and civil rights issues such as email access, pornography, and hacking. It also examines important e-commerce concepts such as digital signatures, on-line contracts, and shrink-wrap contracts. Requisites: PR, POLS 402, POLS 320 or GBUS 204, or PERM.

MKT 6XX Applications in E-Marketing and Customer Service (New course)