A Nichols College Entrepreneurship student presents on stage to a panel with a project behind her.
Academics Undergraduate Programs Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

BSBA in Entrepreneurship

at Nichols College

Entrepreneurship is where ideas move from possibility to reality. You can transform your ideas into successful ventures with a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship from Nichols College in Dudley, MA.

Designed for experimenters, risk-takers and innovators, in this program you’ll cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and learn how to launch a new business or develop an existing one.

You’ll build a solid foundation in business skills, professional development and presentation techniques, complemented by essential coursework in sales, marketing, finance and human resources, as well as an internship. Whether you go on to develop your own business or take your skills to a company, you’ll graduate with the tools needed to create value and problem solve.

Close-up exterior of a Nichols College brick building with a large arched window, with a vibrant yellow fall foliage tree visible along the campus sidewalk

Why Study Entrepreneurship at Nichols College?

Pursuing a bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship at Nichols College means developing the skills to launch, test and grow business ideas through applied and hands-on coursework. Here's what sets our program apart:

Rich Entrepreneurial Heritage

Learn within a tradition started by entrepreneur and Nichols founder Amasa Nichols[link to history page]—our campus has launched industrialists, sports moguls, shop owners, bankers and global professionals for over 200 years

Hands-On Business Development

Put concepts into action by serving as a consultant to alumni entrepreneurs and other businesses or by leading case competitions

Competitive Excellence

Take the lead in business pitch contests, sales internships, training simulators and course-embedded team challenges

Professional Connections

Engage with professionals and secure meaningful internships through our career contacts, hands-on employer experiences and alumni network that's 16,000+ members strong

Worcester County Location

Benefit from strategic access to New England's thriving startup ecosystem and business community while getting the personal attention of a close-knit campus community

Plus, our program is AACSB-accredited—only six percent of institutions worldwide are accredited by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Experiential Learning at Nichols College

Hands-on, experiential learning is a key component of a Nichols education. Every business student completes an internship, a professional certification and a research, experiential or consulting project before they graduate. Add holistic professional development to that hands-on foundation, and you get real results—95% of recent graduates secured jobs or entered graduate school within six months. All from a college ranked top 10 nationally among undergraduate business schools for mid-career salary potential and best value.

A Nichols College student intern assists with an event at historic Fenway Park in Boston.

Student-Faculty Projects

From assisting with faculty research and teaching to working on an advanced project with your professor, there are many ways to extend your learning beyond the classroom at Nichols.

Learn More About Experiential Learning at Nichols.

Student-Run Opportunities

Whether you’re managing the Thunder Fund, working with Bison Consulting clients, helping run the Nichols Dudley Hill Golf Course Club and Bison Den or pitching ideas to companies, you’ll build career-ready skills.

Learn More About Student-Run Opportunities.

Holistic Professional Development

Build confidence and vital soft skills through experiences that take you into the community, paired with public speaking practice, networking etiquette and signature leadership development.

Learn More About Professional Development at Nichols.

Study Abroad

Take your education global through faculty-led trips, international internships, semester abroad programs and short-term travel that let you earn Nichols credits while expanding your worldview.

Learn More About Study Abroad (Study Away).
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Careers in Entrepreneurship

A degree in entrepreneurship develops expertise in identifying opportunities, building business ideas and creating value, along with transferable skills in problem-solving, communication and leadership. Graduates can pursue paths as founders, business developers, managers, consultants or innovators within organizations across a wide range of industries.

Career possibilities include:

  • Chief executive officer
  • Family business owner
  • Startup founder
  • Business development manager
  • Motivational speaker
And More
Two Nichols College students in professional attire laughing together at a career and internship fair booth

Meet Your Faculty

Tim Liptrap

Chair, Entrepreneurship 508-213-2262

Brian Abraham

Chair, Management 508-213-2356

Karin Curran

Chair, General Business 508-213-2170
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Entrepreneurship Program

What makes the Nichols College entrepreneurship program unique compared to other programs in Massachusetts?

Our entrepreneurship degree program at Nichols College in Dudley, MA, stands out through our commitment to experiential learning and real-life application of skills learned. Students partner with alumni entrepreneurs and other businesses to offer consulting services or lead case competitions. The Bison Business Challenge provides a unique team competition challenge. Our location in Central Massachusetts offers access to diverse startups and established businesses for internships and consulting projects.

Can I start my own business while studying entrepreneurship at Nichols College?

Our entrepreneurship degree program encourages students to develop their business ideas throughout their studies. The curriculum provides structured opportunities to refine concepts through coursework, while faculty mentorship and campus resources support actual business development. Many students launch ventures during their time at Nichols, benefiting from peer feedback, expert guidance and the supportive entrepreneurial community in Worcester County.

What support does Nichols College provide for entrepreneurship students after graduation?

Nichols College provides lifelong career support through our Career and Professional Development Center[link], even for graduates launching their own ventures. This includes ongoing mentorship, access to alumni networks, business plan review services, and connections to funding sources and business incubators. Our strong alumni community creates valuable networking opportunities for new entrepreneurs seeking partnerships, customers or investment opportunities.

Entrepreneurship Degree Courses

Required Courses

This course introduces students to the fundamental practices involved in effective human resource management, such as recruiting, performance evaluation, compensation, employment law, and employee rights. HR theory and practice are emphasized within the context of improving organizational productivity and developing employee potential.

This course provides fundamental knowledge and skills in entrepreneurship which focus on the process of establishing and successfully operating a new business. Entrepreneurship is setting up a freestanding new business and accepting the risks of time, effort, and money associated with such a venture. Successful completion of this course will enable the student to craft an initial plan for the start-up of a new business, including a working knowledge of permits, fees and municipal registration requirements and the development of a simple business plan.

The emphasis of this course is on the acquisition and management of entrepreneurial capital and funding and on the development and management of the fundamental accounting skills and tools and systems for small business owners. Successful completion of this course would enable the student to identify and apply for funding and to set up and operate the business and accounting systems necessary for the successful control of their business.

The emphasis of this course is on the development and management of successful entrepreneurial selling and marketing skills, e-commerce, and effective communication skills and tools for entrepreneurs. Successful completion of this course would enable the student to create and execute a successful marketing plan for the introduction of their business to the marketplace, including the virtual marketplace and would provide the student with the fundamental business communication tools and skill sets necessary for the operation of their company.

Working with corporate partners, alumni and faculty, this highly competitive course, patterned after the TV show, "The Apprentice," involves intense TEAM competition and problem solving. Students will elect CEOs, negotiate to acquire team members and compete for sixteen weeks to determine the ultimate winner. We have designed a learning experience that will develop and test your skills in strategy, marketing, negotiation, management, finance -- as well as creative, innovative, entrepreneurial thinking. Your learning experiences will primarily engage you in real world business cases, including when feasible interactions with the entrepreneurs that are the subjects of the cases, or practitioners who have relevant experiences and insights to share.

This capstone course will provide seniors with an opportunity to learn and experience entrepreneurship. The course will expose students to successful entrepreneurs, as well as acquaint them with the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. Additionally, each student will gain firsthand experience in entrepreneurship through the completion of an extensive case analysis and/or consulting project.

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Elective Courses

Choose one from the following options

This course will introduce students to the art of persuasion - how to influence others through the medium of reasoned, ethical discourse. Via study, discussion, and practice, students will learn the behaviors of persuasive communicators, including how to effectively engage in analysis, develop sound research techniques, and rigorously evaluate data and information. In addition to oral assignments and activities, they will write argumentative essays as a means of developing, organizing, and expressing their ideas clearly and concisely. Students will learn to employ logical, emotional, and ethical appeals, and should emerge from the course as stronger critical thinkers who engage in socially responsible rhetoric.

This course is designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of operating a Visual Media Studio and creating branded content for social media marketing. Students will learn how to operate the facility and its equipment while developing and implementing effective branding strategies and creating compelling digital content. The course will also cover the various media formats, including video, image, and audio, and how to optimize them for their client's different social media platforms. By the end of the course, students will have the skills to operate a studio, create and execute successful social media campaigns, and understand the importance of branding and content creation in today's digital landscape.

This course is offered on an occasional basis and addresses topics and themes of special interest not covered in the standard course offerings of Entrepreneurship.

Negotiation is a critical skill in business and in life - whether it is for salary, contracts, resource allocation, or collective decision making. Knowing how to effectively and ethically negotiate is essential for leadership and for accomplishing individual and group objectives. In this course, students will learn the strategy, structure, and skills of negotiation in interpersonal and organizational contexts.

This course focuses on the strategies and tactics for conceiving, developing, initiating and managing innovation and change within an established corporate structure. Topics include attributes of corporate entrepreneurs, bases of creativity and innovation, interpersonal and interdepartmental relationships, promoting innovation and change within the corporate structure, organizational politics, strategic organizational changes, and corporate culture.

Public Relations (PR) is a management and marketing function that identifies, establishes, and maintains effective relationships between an organization and the audiences it services. PR used to be all about mass media, but social media has changed that. It is still about building and maintaining effective relationships, but PR is now also about having a direct conversation with your audience using paid, earned, shared, and owned channels. In this course, we will examine the strategic purpose and tactical practices of PR, including the identification of publics, planning, writing/content creation, ethical considerations, and evaluation.

Examination of the consumer marketing process. This includes analysis and planning of consumer marketing programs with investigation of consumer decision making and buying patterns. Includes written case analyses and presentations.

An investigation of the functions and activities of sales managers. Topics include recruiting, organizing, training, compensating, leading, motivating, and managing the sales force.

Free Electives

12 credit-hours of electives

Interested in Learning More?

Join us at one of our upcoming campus events in Dudley, MA, or schedule a campus visit. You can also contact our Admissions team to discuss your academic goals and how Nichols can help you reach them.