Certificate in Entrepreneurship

Hours: 9 On-Campus Online

About

The Certificate in Entrepreneurship at Fort Hays State University provides an excellent opportunity for individuals seeking to transform their passion for innovation into a successful career. This certificate offers a solid foundation in entrepreneurship, equipping students with the skills necessary to create new opportunities, whether by launching a business, establishing a non-profit, or fostering innovation within an existing organization. Upon completion, participants are well-prepared to navigate the dynamic business landscape and make a meaningful impact.

Why pursue a Certificate in Entrepreneurship at Fort Hays State University?

The Certificate in Entrepreneurship from FHSU provides hands-on experience and equips students with the skills to think and act like entrepreneurs. Participants learn to identify and create business opportunities across diverse environments—whether launching their own ventures, contributing to established organizations, or uncovering opportunities within their communities. This certificate complements a wide range of majors by offering valuable entrepreneurial skills that help individuals differentiate themselves and succeed in their careers.

Who is this program for?

The Certificate in Entrepreneurship is designed for students from any major who wish to enhance their career skills with innovative tools. Whether to complement another field of study or to build a strong foundation in entrepreneurship, this certificate helps students stand out and prepares them for success in today’s competitive environment. It is especially well-suited for:

Aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start their own businesses
Students seeking to enhance their major with creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills applicable to various careers
Professionals aiming to add innovation and adaptability in the workplace
Freelancers seeking to strengthen skills and manage business aspects
Community leaders wanting to provide strategies for sustainable social impact
Those seeking new opportunities to adapt to different industries
Young adults looking to develop leadership, growth, and proactive thinking for future success

Learning Outcomes

The Certificate in Entrepreneurship is designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge required to launch their own businesses or drive innovation within established organizations. By combining theoretical concepts with practical experience, the certificate prepares participants to succeed in today’s constantly evolving business environment.

Develop an Entrepreneurial Mindset

Students cultivate a personal entrepreneurial mindset characterized by innovation, creativity, adaptability, and a readiness to take calculated risks when addressing challenges.

Create and Evaluate Business Opportunities

Upon completing the certificate, students will be able to identify market needs, gaps, or inefficiencies and develop innovative solutions that address customer demands effectively.

Understand Business Fundamentals

Students will develop an understanding of how entrepreneurship intersects with core business functions such as marketing, finance, production, and human resources. This integrated knowledge enables them to drive sustainable growth and maintain a competitive advantage.

Apply Practical Skills

Through hands-on activities and real-world projects, students acquire valuable experience in decision-making, problem-solving, and strategic planning—key skills essential for achieving business success.

Real-World Applications

The Certificate in Entrepreneurship adopts an experiential, hands-on teaching approach that enables students to actively develop, test, and refine business ideas. This practical method emphasizes learning by doing, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and resilience through real-world applications. Through this process, students cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset, preparing them to launch ventures and apply entrepreneurial skills across diverse career paths.

Stay Ahead of the Curve

The certificate integrates the latest advancements and trends through a dynamic, research-driven curriculum. Faculty members actively engage in research and remain connected to current developments in the entrepreneurial landscape, ensuring course content is relevant and up to date. By incorporating current events, emerging trends, and real-world case studies, the curriculum exposes students to contemporary challenges and opportunities in entrepreneurship. This approach enriches the learning experience and prepares students to navigate the rapidly evolving business environment with a modern, informed perspective. As a result, students acquire practical knowledge and insights that can be immediately applied to launching new ventures or driving innovation within existing organizations.

Hands-on Activities

At Fort Hays State University, students have an opportunity to pursue their entrepreneurial goals through hands-on learning and unique experiences beyond the classroom. FHSU fosters a dynamic environment for innovation, beginning with Entrepreneurship Hall—a state-of-the-art facility where students live, learn, and network. Within this collaborative space, students engage with peers from diverse disciplines, connect with successful entrepreneurs, and gain valuable insights from real-world experiences.

Additionally, students can bring their business ideas to life by participating in competitions such as the fall EPI²C Challenge and the spring Faulkner Challenge. These events allow students to pitch ideas, develop business plans, and compete for awards that support their ventures.

Beyond campus, Fort Hays State University enhances the entrepreneurial journey with tours of regional businesses and visits to entrepreneurial hubs across the country and internationally. These opportunities broaden students’ perspectives, expand their professional networks, and provide inspiration drawn from successful ventures worldwide.

What You’ll Learn:

Develop the skills needed to create thriving businesses
Identify entrepreneurial opportunities
Explore various approaches to launching new businesses
Gain practical experience to launch your own business successfully

How You’ll Learn:

Interactive courses
Hands-on learning
Collaborating with entrepreneurs
Apply skills in real-world scenarios

Courses

The core curriculum comprises three courses, totaling 9 credit hours. Each course focuses on a distinct aspect of entrepreneurship, offering students a well-rounded foundation for launching and managing new ventures.

ENTR 301: Discovering Entrepreneurship

This foundational course introduces entrepreneurship as a mindset and process, focusing on pursuing opportunities regardless of resources. It covers evaluating opportunities applicable to for-profit and non-profit organizations and personal career contexts. This course is a prerequisite for all subsequent entrepreneurship courses and is open to all students, with recommended prior or concurrent enrollment in certain courses.

ENTR 401: Entrepreneurship by Design

The course emphasizes generating, evaluating, and refining ideas through feasibility analysis and design thinking. Students learn to create and assess business models to differentiate between ideas, opportunities, and commercially viable ventures, focusing on contexts that support successful implementation.

ENTR 605: Venture Launch

This capstone course, designed for undergraduate entrepreneurship students, follows the completion of ENTR 301 and ENTR 401. Students will develop a business plan or launch a new venture, integrating and applying the knowledge gained from the core Entrepreneurship curriculum to prepare for real-world entrepreneurial success.

Discover the full Certificate in Entrepreneurship course listing by visiting the Academic Catalog.

Career Prospects

Students who complete the Certificate in Entrepreneurship acquire valuable skills that are applicable across a broad spectrum of career paths. The entrepreneurial knowledge gained through this certificate opens doors to diverse opportunities, including:

Business Owner

Students who complete the certificate have an opportunity to start and manage their own businesses in industries such as retail, food service, consulting, construction, or any area of expertise.

Startup Founder

Those who complete the certificate can launch innovative startups in sectors such as technology, healthcare, sustainability, or other emerging industries.

Freelancer/Consultant

Students completing the certificate can provide specialized services in marketing, business strategy, graphic design, and other professional fields.

Social Entrepreneur

Students who complete the certificate can establish and lead organizations dedicated to addressing social, environmental, and community challenges.

Innovation Manager

Students completing the certificate will design and implement innovative strategies within large organizations to drive growth and foster innovation.

Product Manager

Those who complete the certificate can manage the development and launch of new products or services, ensuring they meet market demands and customer satisfaction.

Business Development Manager

Students completing the certificate will identify and pursue opportunities for business growth, strategic partnerships, and market expansion.

The Best Value in Higher Education Anywhere

Fort Hays State University prides itself on quality education at an affordable price. Students in this program can expect to pay approximately $1,833.57* (on-campus) or $2,385.45* (online) per semester.

*Estimated cost based on 9 credit hours at the Undergrad resident/regional tuition rate ($203.73/credit hour) for on-campus courses, or the FHSU Online Undergrad tuition rate (265.05/credit hour) for online courses. Actual price may vary depending on course load and location. Tuition and Fees are subject to change as they are approved by the Kansas Board of Regents each year.

Ready for the next step?

Our faculty would be excited to talk to you about how our department programs can help you explore your interests and prepare you for a variety of rewarding careers.

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Related programs

Fort Hays State University offers several related programs that complement the Certificate in Entrepreneurship. These programs provide additional skills and knowledge that strengthen entrepreneurial capabilities and broaden career opportunities.

FAQ

Can I complete the Certificate in Entrepreneurship alongside my major?

Yes, the Certificate in Entrepreneurship is designed to complement any major. Its flexible coursework allows students from all disciplines—whether in the arts, sciences, business, or other fields—to seamlessly integrate this valuable credential into their academic journey.

Are there any special admission requirements for this certificate?

There are no specific admission requirements, making the certificate accessible to a broad range of students.

How flexible is the course schedule for working professionals?

The Certificate in Management offers both online and on-campus classes to accommodate different schedules, making it ideal for working professionals.

What other related programs are offered at FHSU?

Related programs include a Minor in Management, Certificates in Business Development and Sales, Arts Entrepreneurship (with a BA Degree), AAS in Technology and Leadership (Leadership Studies), B.S. in Agricultural Business, and B.S. in Technology Leadership (Business & Industry).

Information about the Department of Management

The Department of Management at FHSU offers on-campus and online programs that prepare you to lead people and manage resources to maximize organizational success. In a business environment that is constantly evolving, our programs are designed to equip you with essential leadership qualities needed to navigate both daily challenges and long-term strategic planning. Our curriculum emphasizes decision-making, solution-oriented thinking, and team leadership, ensuring that you’re ready to meet the demands of modern management roles.

Our programs are tailored to align with your personal and professional goals, providing you with the tools to excel in business in whichever industry you choose. Through hands-on learning, personalized mentorship, and a comprehensive academic approach, you’ll be positioned to succeed in today’s competitive business world. Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to guiding you every step of the way, ensuring you have the support needed to achieve your career aspirations.

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