Concentrate in Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Empower yourself to say "look what I built" rather than "look where I worked" by completing Washburn University's Entrepreneurship and Innovation program.
Entrepreneurs learn how to build a successful business from the ground up. You will learn how to generate ideas, analyze markets and assess business opportunities. Best of all, you will gain hands-on experience in developing the marketing and financial plans necessary to start your venture.
Today's economy is growing because of entrepreneurial-minded professionals who have vision, creativity and the leadership skills to affect change. Even if you don't start your own company, your success in the workplace is dependent on the ability to innovate and seize opportunities. No other concentration prepares you for success better than E&I.
BBA in Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Curriculum in our Entrepreneurship and Innovation program is designed to provide experiential learning opportunities. That means hands-on opportunities to practice the skills that are critical to entrepreneurial success. You will learn creativity, financial management and business planning, as well as how to develop digital marketing strategies, a pitch deck and presentations for financing.
Best of all, you’ll actually have the opportunity to launch your idea in the capstone course – Entrepreneurship Clinic. This course has already launched multiple successful businesses built on the outstanding education provided by our dedicated faculty. You will also benefit from the strong ties of our faculty to the business community. In short, they can help you succeed because they have done it themselves.
Unique opportunities at Washburn University include:
- The Washburn Pitch Competition in the fall and the Washburn Business Plan Competition in the spring provide students with opportunities to develop their ideas and receive feedback from alumni and local business leaders. Community partners sponsor these events and provide prize money.
- The Student Business Accelerator Fund (SBAF) provides grant funding for students to develop and start ventures while still at Washburn.
- The Network of International Business Schools (NIBS) Business Plan Competition in the spring challenges students to conceive a new service or product offering, create a business plan and concept pitch video aimed at convincing potential investors to finance the business. Washburn entrepreneurship students have made the finals five straight years, winning the competition in 2016.
- In the capstone course for E&I, students serve as Small Business Development Center consultants. You will meet and work with local entrepreneurs to develop, start and grow your business.
- All courses are taught by faculty with startup and business ownership experience.
Whether your path is that of a startup entrepreneur or future CEO, you will be well-equipped to chase your dreams and change the world.
Minors & Related Programs
Most of our students also obtain a BBA concentration in accounting, finance, management or marketing, A minor in Leadership Studies is complimentary. Students are advised to take BU260 Business Plan Development as a key elective their freshman or sophomore year. Other courses to consider for general education credit include mass media courses, computer programming, website design and improvisation.
Realizing Her Dreams...
Washburn alumna Kristen Kogl has created a long list of accomplishments in a short amount of time. Kristen completed her education in Business Marketing and Entrepreneurship & Innovation in 2016. After working for a local advertising/marketing firm, she has started her own business. Listen to Kristen's memories of being a student in the School of Business and how faculty support had a big impact on her success.
Admissions & Advising
Washburn faculty and staff are ready to help you plan your educational journey. Whether you are a freshman and starting out, or an upperclassman who needs an advisor, we are prepared to answer your questions and continue to provide support.
Freshmen and students new to the School of Business should visit with Amber Ybarra initially for help in determining their degree track. Sophomores, juniors and seniors may choose a faculty member advisor. Regularly working with your advisor ensures the best use of elective courses and the quickest, most efficient route to graduation.
Determining the correct catalog year is very important when using our advising literature. Catalog years dictate the requirements of your degree program and can change from year to year. These requirements will remain in force for up to seven years, or until the student decides to choose a newer catalog year. Sometimes it makes sense for a student to choose a newer catalog, while other times it’s more advantageous to use the older catalog. Regularly working with your advisor ensures you are following the right degree track.
- Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Creativity (BU343)
- Entrepreneurship Marketing (BU369)
- Entrepreneurial Finance for Small Business (BU389)
- Entrepreneurship Clinic (BU370)
- 12 additional upper-division elective hours in accounting, business or economics
Jobs & Opportunities
Self-Employed Americans
24 million
(in 2021)CEO Average Salary
$145,280
(KS Dept. of Labor)Projected Job Growth
+7.9%
(2016-2026)Program Cost
Washburn offers a competitive tuition rate. Both in-state and out-of-state students from Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas pay the same rate. Several scholarships are also available to E&I students including the Helen & Hubert Gish Entrepreneurship Scholarship, Streitline Entrepreneurship Scholarship and the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Scholarship.
GET IN TOUCH WITH School of Business
School of Business
Henderson Room 114
1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621
Phone & Email
Ph: 785.670.1308
Fax: 785-670-1063
business@washburn.edu
