Is a Certificate in Entrepreneurship Worth It? (2023)
Individuals who fit the profile of a successful entrepreneur – great work ethic and a million dollar idea – are often unexpectedly overwhelmed by the technical ins-and-outs of running a business. This is made painfully evident by the poor success rate of new startups and small businesses. Many are turning to a Certificate in Entrepreneurship for help.
In 2021 nearly 1 million small businesses failed. Thousands of others managed to survive, but didn’t turn a profit that year. And many more never got off the ground to begin with.
In other words, the struggle is real. And this has greatly heightened the appeal of earning an online Certificate in Entrepreneurship.
So is a Certificate in Entrepreneurship worth it in 2023? Yes, a Certificate in Entrepreneurship is worth it for the go-getter who has innovative ideas but struggles with the technical aspects of business, accounting and tax preparation. Visionaries and hustlers who have never “balanced a book” can benefit a lot from the skills learned in a Certificate in Entrepreneurship program. It helps to have a credential you can present to investors and banks when raising seed capital and/or applying for loans. By investing in yourself through education, others will be more inclined to invest in you and your business as well.
But before you apply, continue reading to get detailed answers to the following FAQs:
- What will I learn in an online Certificate in Entrepreneurship program?
- How long is an online Certificate in Entrepreneurship program?
- What is a typical course schedule for an online Certificate in Entrepreneurship program?
- How much does a Certificate in Entrepreneurship cost?
- Can I get financial aid or scholarships?
What Will I Learn in an Online Certificate in Entrepreneurship Program?
While less demanding than the typical business program (e.g. MBA), an Entrepreneurship Certificate program offers valuable and comprehensive training around launching a successful business venture. And unlike other traditional degree programs, an Entrepreneurship Certificate provides students the time and flexibility to learn, work their day job, and focus on starting their new company at the same time.
Programs will differ widely from school to school. But there are several core principles you can expect to learn no matter where you enroll. These include:
- How to create a winning business plan.
- How to navigate the seed capital investment process.
- How to conduct market research and find best selling items.
- How to prepare business taxes and keep more cash on hand.
- How to handle accounting for your company.
Most Entrepreneurship Certificate programs also provide you the opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs. This is vitally important to your business’ success as you will eventually need partnerships and vendors to scale up and expand. You’ll also learn about the biggest challenges facing small businesses in the Digital & Social Media age and how to avoid common pitfalls.
How Long are Online Certificate in Entrepreneurship Programs?
As with the curriculum, the length of each program differs from school to school. But most Entrepreneurship Certificate programs run from 4 to 8 months divided into 2 or 3 semesters. See below for a typical course schedule:
- Assessing Startup Viability and Funding Options
- Digital Strategies for Transforming Your Business
- Pitching Your Business Opportunity
- Digital Marketing and Social Media Analytics
How Much Does a Certificate in Entrepreneurship Cost?
The popularity of Entrepreneurship Certificates has grown in recent years and there are a variety of programs to fit every budget. Program costs can range from just $400 for a typical online program to $13,000 at prestigious schools like MIT. Some programs offer both on-campus and online learning.
Only select programs will offer Financial Aid to enrollees. But don’t worry if the program you’re interested in doesn’t. There are tons of grants and scholarships available to students pursuing online education. Grants.gov is an excellent resource offered by the U.S Department of Education for adults interested in pursuing an online education. Visit the website today to search the database’s huge collection of grants and scholarships available for the 2021-2022 school year.
Scholarships & Grants
Scholarship Owl has a huge database of grants and scholarships to apply to. Including a no-essay scholarship awarding $2,222 every month.