Testimonials
Small Business Entrepreneurship
Register today for a virtual Small Business Entrepreneurship Info Session. All virtual sessions begin at 5 p.m. Check Session Dates and Register Now!
| Awards | Credits | Course Delivery ( COVID delivery changes) |
|---|---|---|
| Small Business Entrepreneur - Certificate | 16 cr. | Rosemount | Online |
| Program Datasheet: Download the Small Business Entrepreneurship Datasheet | ||
This program teaches small business management skills along with all the necessary knowledge and skill sets to start and grow a new small business. The programs central core is the planning of a small business to ensure that the business has the best possible chance of succeeding. The certificate can stand alone for individuals with existing skills or complement a variety of existing technical programs.
This program offers Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). Seek credit for life experience to accelerate your progress toward a degree, diploma, or certificate. Visit the Credit for Prior Learning page to learn more.
The classes challenged my preconceived notions about running a business. We learned about targeting our markets, negotiating contracts and recognizing the variables defining the intertwining relationships we have with our customers. We interviewed business owners in our same industry, which was a huge help.
I had the skill set to design and build a website, create a logo and basically brand a small business. What I lacked was the business acumen to make that business fly. That's where the Entrepreneurship/Small Business program makes all the difference. Instructors show you how to be a successful entrepreneur. You can have loads of talent, but you still need to know how to market it the right way.
The program helped me with networking and how to market the business. The classes gave me a better understanding of the financial aspects of business ownership, including accounting and keeping records. If you’re going to start a business, take some business classes at DCTC. It definitely helps tremendously in the long run.
| Small Business Entrepreneur Certificate • 16 credits |
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|---|---|
| Tuition | $174/cr. |
| Fees | $21.45/cr. |
| Grand Total | $3,127.20 |
Each year, Dakota County Technical College and the DCTC Foundation make more than $200,000 in scholarships available to our students. Students are encouraged to create an account and apply for scholarships online.
Students looking for ways to help finance their college education can find part-time jobs on campus with various DCTC departments and programs. Deliver your completed Work-Study Application to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid and search for openings at College Central Network Services. For more information, you can review Work Study Procedure.
Step 1: Apply now for financial aid. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
DCTC's Federal School Code: 010402
Step 2: After receiving an official award letter from DCTC, you may apply online for a Federal Stafford Student Loan. Visit the Loans page for more information.
Small business owners and entrepreneurs compete in a vast range of business enterprises. Because they are self-employed, small business owners need a broad base of business skills, including marketing, sales, financial accountability and business planning.
Entrepreneurship and small business ownership are hot topics at the national, state and local levels. According to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, to world's leading authority on all things e-ship, "Financing entrepreneurship in the United States is a growing priority for a nation working to strengthen its economy."
This is obviously good news for aspiring entrepreneurs, but what does it take to become an entrepreneur or small business owner? What traits do you need to succeed? What is it like out there in the world of small businesss ownership? More and more, prospective entrepreneurs are choosing college for access to solid support structures and campus-based resources, including incubators, mentoring and networking avenues to potential funders. Small Business Entrepreneurship at DCTC has all the above and more.
In a word, YES. A Forbes article published January 2013 points to a report issued by the international Institute for the Study of Labor. "In short, the study found that the mean, median, and standard deviation of incomes for entrepreneurs—controlled for education, general ability (as measured by standardized test scores), and demographics (including age and parental income)—tended to be higher than those for good old-fashioned employees. And the difference is by no means small: mean income for entrepreneurs is almost 50% greater than for 'employees.'"
Articulation Agreements are formal agreements between two or more colleges and/or universities to accept credits in transfer toward a specific academic program. DCTC has articulation agreements in place with a number of public and private colleges and universities.
MN Transfer.org is your official guide to a seamless transfer experience in Minnesota Higher Education. Use this resource to find agreements that DCTC has entered with other Minnesota State institutions.
Do you want to see how your courses transfer to programs at participating colleges and universities? Add the coursework you've taken and use Transferology to find out how it might transfer to any of the participating schools in the Transferology network. Get an account and create a plan now!
Whether you're a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or an international student or transferring from high school or a four-year university, DCTC will help you through the process. Visit our Transfer Students page for more information.
The Small Business Entrepreneurship program at DCTC is active throughout the year and makes headlines in college publications. Read about student success in competitions and running small businesses as well as the accomplishments of our entrepreneurship instructor.
National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE)
DCTC features active, business-relevant clubs for Small Business Entrepreneurship students right on campus. Getting involved in these clubs allows you to make the most of your college experience and gives you an edge when seeking to start your own business venture. The following three clubs are open to all Small Business Entrepreneurship students:
SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization for students at community and technical colleges across the U.S. The organization focuses on students in academic programs that lead to careers in the trade, industrial, technical and health care fields. Nearly 100 SkillsUSA competitions at the state and national levels relate to leadership skills or programs of study at DCTC.
In 2013, DCTC fielded 17 students at the nationals who ranked in the top 15 in the nation. For more information about the competition, read "DCTC Students Rock at SkillsUSA Nationals" on DCTC News.
Business Professionals of America (BPA)
Business Professionals of America is the leading CTSO (Career Technical Student Organization) for students pursuing careers in accounting, business management, office administration, information technology and other related career fields.
[Business Professionals of America] BPA has more than 51,000 members in over 2,300 chapters in 23 states. BPA is a "co-curricular" organization that supports business and information technology educators by offering curriculum based on national standards. Resources and materials are available on-line and designed to be customized to a school's program.
Multicultural Student Leadership Association (MSLA)
Did you know more than 20 different cultures are represented in DCTC's student body? As members of the Multicultural Student Leadership Association, we believe in the importance of not only recognizing our differences, but also embracing and learning from them. MSLA gives students from all cultures the chance to learn, belong and grow by experiencing the rich world of people that visits our campus everyday.
