2018-2019

Interdisciplinary Studies - Entrepreneurship, Bachelor of Arts

NAU Yavapai

Online, Statewide, and Education Innovation

This plan is not accepting students.

This interdisciplinary degree provides useful, hands-on preparation for students who wish to start a new enterprise, either apart from an existing entity, or within an existing organization. Students will learn to identify and use multiple resources and to view their enterprise from perspectives that include those of multiple stakeholders and constituencies.

This plan will not be available to new students after Summer 2019

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • 30 units of Entrepreneurship specialization requirements

  • Completion of a Concentration, Minor, or Certificate

  • Completion of Computer Literacy, Communication Skills, and Science or Language Requirements

  • Up to 9 units of specialization prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy specialization requirements.

  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Major GPA C
Highest Mathematics Required MATY 142
Emphasis, Minor, or Certificate Required Required
Foreign Language Required
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Optional
Some online/blended coursework Required
Progression Plan Link Not Available

Student Learning Outcomes

Students shall be able to:

  • Perform primary and secondary research 
  • Understand and apply theories of competition 
  • Construct a differentiating competitive strategy 
  • Understand the role of entrepreneurship in a capitalistic society 
  • Construct practical, executable business plans 
  • Create practical multiyear cash flow projections for a startup business 
  • Understand the various theories of innovation and apply them to new products, business strategy, and strategic planning 
  • Use the process of innovation to develop an innovation 
  • Understand the roles of small investors, Angel investors, and Venture Capitalists 
  • Understand the acquisition and use of investor financing and debt financing 
  • Understand different business structures and the related advantages and disadvantages (example: LLC versus an S Corp.) 
  • Prepare and deliver business plan presentations suitable for investors as well as short “elevator pitches”. 
  • Apply the concepts in the Theory of Constraints (TOC) to entrepreneurial businesses 
  • Analyze the business plans of other entrepreneurs 
  • Utilize conventional and nonconventional marketing methods (example: guerilla, buzz) for an entrepreneurial company or new product offering 
  • Understand the creation and protection of intellectual property (IP) 
  • Apply principles of teambuilding and teamwork to an entrepreneurial team 
  • Develop basic financial statements including balance sheet, statement of cash flows, and profit and loss 
  • Apply ethical principles in the development of an entrepreneurial business plan
  • Understand the application of entrepreneurship in nonprofit startups 
  • Apply basic concepts from behavioral economics to a business plan 
  • Understand the unique issues associated with launching a new startup company from within an established company 
  • Construct logically provable (cause-and-effect) analyses of business development plans in areas including marketing, strategy, and competition 
  • Validate a business idea 
  • Understand the concept of business risk, various types of risk, risk assessment, and risk mitigation 
  • Identify and create new business opportunities 
  • Develop appropriate sales plans for new products or services
  • Understand the basics of double entry bookkeeping including account types, debits and credits, and journal entries

 

Liberal Studies Requirement
    • Students with a completed AGEC from Arizona Community Colleges will have met the 35 units of liberal studies requirements.
    • Students with a completed IGETC from a California Community College will have met the 35 units of liberal studies requirements.
    • Up to 9 units of specialization prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy specialization requirements.
Major Requirements

  • Choose one of the following (3 units):

Certificate Requirements

  • Complete a NAU-Yavapai Certificate (at least 15 units) outside your Specialization field. 

Interdisciplinary Studies Requirements

  • Computer Literacy (3 units)
    This coursework must help you to understand, in general, the technical components of computers and information systems, how to solve problems using information systems technology, word processing, spreadsheet use, database management, graphic information software, website development, graphic design and use of statistical analysis software. Subject to advisor approval.

  • Communication Courses (6 units)
    You must choose 6 units in the following two categories. 
    • Performance-based courses, select one from the following (3 units):
    • Theory-based course (3 units):

  • Please note that you cannot use CLEP or locally prepared exams to satisfy this requirement. Transfer credit used to satisfy this requirement must be approved by the program director.

  • Language Requirement (16 units)
    You must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English that is equivalent to four terms of university coursework in the same language. You may satisfy this requirement by taking language courses or by testing out of all or part of it by taking CLEP, or other exams.

General Electives

  • Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

    You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.

    We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

Additional Information

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.