John Billinis in light blue blazer
students having a conversation in business class
A person holds a blue sneaker encased in a transparent protective container secured with straps.

Develop an Entrepreneurial Mindset

Get a thorough understanding of business management at JWU Providence. In the Entrepreneurship program, you will develop a viable business plan, prepare to start your own business, and work for small businesses and start-up companies. Learn to lead change within organizations and communicate effectively with diverse audiences while using decision-support tools to resolve contemporary business issues, from culinary operations to marketing report analysis to financing company expansions.

Gain a solid business core encompassing micro/macroeconomics, accounting, business management, finance, operations and supply chain management, human resources management, marketing foundations and global strategy. Pursue electives that align with the pathways that interest you most — from finance and organizational behavior to marketing and supply chain management — or choose one of JWU’s many MBA programs.

Many of our students land jobs at partners like Hasbro, Target, Kohl’s and Brown Health even before graduation, thanks to industry connections through faculty. There are multiple ways to explore your industry, like participating in clubs, joining professional organizations, managing social media or marketing for JWU departments — even doing tax work for clients.

Curriculum

Credits
Business Foundations
ACCT1210Financial Accounting3
ACCT1220Managerial Accounting3
BUSN1001Introduction to Business and Management3
BUSN3010Business Analytics3
BUSN4030Global Strategy Capstone3
FISV2000Finance3
FIT1040Spreadsheet Design for Business Solutions3
LAW2001The Legal Environment of Business I3
MGMT2001Human Resource Management3
MGMT2030Operations and Supply Chain Management I3
MRKT1001Marketing Foundations3
Major Courses
ENTR2001Introduction to Entrepreneurship3
ENTR2030Pitching & Planning New Ventures3
ENTR3030Marketing for Entrepreneurs3
ENTR4010Change and Innovation Management3
ENTR4055Entrepreneurship Seminar3
MGMT2020Organizational Behavior3
Major Electives
Choose one of the following:3
Small Business Management
Growth and Sustainability for Small Business
Financing New Ventures
Applied/Experiential Learning
Choose 9 credits from the following:9
College of Business Internship
Study Abroad
University Core Curriculum
Communicating9
Rhetoric & Composition I
Rhetoric & Composition II
Communication Skills
Connecting6
Two courses with the Connecting attribute (ECNG), one at the 2000 level, one at the 4000 level
Experiencing6
Ethics: A Global Perspective
Additional course with the Experiencing attribute (EEXP) in a different discipline
Measuring6
Fundamentals of Algebra (or higher, based on student’s placement)
Statistics I
Exploring3
One course with the Exploring attribute (EEPL)
Interacting6
Microeconomics
Additional course with the Interacting attribute (EINT) in a different discipline
A&S Electives6
Macroeconomics
One course with the Arts & Sciences elective attribute (EASC)
Free Electives
15 credits selected from 1000-4999 numbered offerings within the university 15
Total Credits120.0

A Supportive Space for Entrepreneurs

JWU Providences Larry Friedman Center for Entrepreneurship, also known as the Launch Pad, is open to students from across the university to explore ideas and pursue dreams with continuous faculty mentors — all with a student-designed logo and student-strategized social media outreach. 

At the Launch Pad, you can also pitch business ideas to a panel of industry professionals at our annual Sharkfest competition, with the winner receiving seed money to develop their business.

The Launch Pad has not only given me a safe space to share my entrepreneurial ideas, but also to make them come true. I was able to turn my idea, Lokyt, a fashionable key accessory, into a reality.”

Sahteen Dillon’25, 2024 Sharkfest finalist

Portrait photo of Sahteen Dillon, a student of the entrepreneurship program.

Global Strategies Lab

Students can also use the Global Strategies Lab to collaborate with financing and accounting students to manage the Wildcat Investment & Finance Initiative.

Launch Global Strategies Lab

Start Your Business at JWU Providence

You’ll experience real-world opportunities through internships, undergraduate research, study abroad and faculty-led trips ranging from observing marketing teams in Florence, Italy to shadowing business teams in New York City.

 In this program, you’ll:

  • Learn to use decision-support tools to resolve contemporary business issues using ethical business practices while communicating effectively with diverse audiences
  • Understand the types of capital funding sources for start-up and existing businesses
  • Develop a viable business plan that incorporates the concepts, skills and values of business administration

Career Possibilities

Some professions may require additional study, background checks, certifications, licenses, exams and/or experience as required qualifications for employment. Students are responsible for verifying that they can meet the employment requirements of potential employers.

  • Business owner
  • Business manager
  • Management consultant
  • Operations manager
  • Financial analyst or advisor
  • Sales manager

Study Entrepreneurship at JWU

Faculty Contact

Debbie Howarth, Ed.D.
Professor and Chair of Business Programs
401-598-1484
debbie.howarth@jwu.edu