Masters in Entrepreneurship

The Master’s in Entrepreneurship (MSE) provides a rigorous immersion into the nature of entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial process. Core content is coupled with a strong commitment to experiential learning. Students actually start a venture while in the Program. The Program is a component of the university-wide entrepreneurship emphasis at Oklahoma State University. It is targeted to students with a passion for entrepreneurship in for-profit, non-profit, and public sector contexts. It consists of 33 credit hours of coursework and can be completed in one calendar year.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelors degree required with a minimum GPA of 2.75
  • GMAT or GRE recommended but not required
  • Proposal for a venture
  • Entrepreneurial and other work experience preferred but not required

Target Audience

This is a full-time Masters Program. We seek highly motivated students from diverse backgrounds interested in creating growth-oriented for-profit or non-profit ventures. Special emphasis will be placed on students from professional disciplines. Incoming students who have taken equivalent graduate level courses can petition to substitute these for foundation-level or entrepreneurship requirements, but still must complete at least 27 hours within the Program.

Apply to the Program

To apply to the Program, one should:

STEP ONE: Graduate College Application

  1. Go to the Graduate College Application Website and either
    1. Start a new account (if s/he has never submitted an application) or
    2. Enter their current account information
  2. On the main menu, choose “Create A New Application”
  3. When the applicant arrives at the “Degree Program” screen, s/he can enter the keyword “Entrepreneurship” or simply press “next”
  4. Select from the pull down menus the “Entrepreneurship – (MS)” listing
  5. Continue through the application and include transcripts from each institution attended, including Oklahoma State University.
  6. At the end of the application, submit with an application payment.
Semester of Application U.S. Citizen Deadline International Student Deadline
Fall 2012 July 1, 2012 March 1, 2012
Spring 2013 November 1, 2012 August 1, 2012

STEP TWO: Materials to be sent to the School of Entrepreneurship

  1. Go to the fall 2012 or spring 2013MSE Online Application and
    • Create a new account using your preferred email address.
  2. The EEE application requires the following:
    • Three recommendation letters : name, address, and email
    • Upload a one-two page proposal for a venture you might like to pursue
    • Upload a Statement of Interest explaining why you want to join the program
    • Upload your current resume
    • While not required, we strongly encourage students to submit a GMAT OR GRE score

If you have any questions about the program application process, please contact the Spears School of Business Graduate Programs office at 405-744-2951.

Program Objectives

The MSE Program strives to accomplish the following objectives:

  1. Enhance students’ self-efficacy regarding acting entrepreneurially in new and established organizations;
  2. Develop within students the ability to conceptualize and communicate the complex challenges inherent in the venture creation process, and employ research and analytical skills toward identifying plausible solutions to overcome such challenges;
  3. Improve student ability to employ intuitive, imaginative thought to critically evaluate ideas, processes, experiences, and outcomes associated with new venture creation;
  4. Enhance student competencies in the areas of opportunity recognition, risk management, resource leveraging, and business planning;
  5. Develop within students a first-hand appreciation for the nature of the entrepreneurial experience itself;
  6. Increase the appreciation among students for the need to engage in entrepreneurial behaviors that reflect high ethical standards, create ventures that contribute to societal well-being, and give back to the communities that make their ventures possible.

Curriculum

The MS in Entrepreneurship is a one year Program consisting of 33 credit hours.

  • Business Foundation (12 credit hours)
    • ACCT 5183 Financial Accounting and Analysis
    • ACCT 5283 Managerial Accounting
    • FIN 5013 Business Finance
    • MGMT 5113 Management and Organizational Theory
  • Entrepreneurial Core (15 credit hours)

The following two courses (6 credit hours) are required:

  • EEE 5113 Entrepreneurship and Venture Management
  • EEE 5663 Imagination in Entrepreneurship

The student must select three courses (9 credit hours) from the following set of entrepreneurship electives:

Entrepreneurship Field Experience (6 credit hours)

  • EEE 5610 Advanced Entrepreneurship Practicum

Involvement in the Entrepreneurship Empowerment in South Africa Program or the Riata Entrepreneurial Internship can also meet the field experience requirement so long as six credit hours are completed.

Business Creation Requirement and Portfolio

While the Program does not require a thesis, a requirement for graduation is that the student complete a business plan for an original idea, make a formal pitch to an investor and start the business. The student must be able to demonstrate the to Program faculty that the venture is scaleable. Aspects of this requirement can be fulfilled as part of a number of the courses offered within the Program. Space will be available within an incubator for students to start their ventures.

All students will also maintain an entrepreneurial portfolio, which includes a set of completed entrepreneurship-related experiences and projects. Examples of portfolio items include business plans, business models, feasibility projects, consulting engagements, entrepreneurial audits, marketing inventions, technology commercialization plans, patent applications, interviews of leading entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship study abroad projects and other experiential learning accomplishments.

Total Immersion and Support

Students in the MSE Program will be afforded numerous learning opportunities outside of the classroom. They will be able to get involved in the Riata Business Plan Competition, the OSU Cowboy Entrepreneurship Bootcamps, the Veterans with Disabilities Entrepreneurship Program, Women Entrepreneurs Inspire Conference, the Entrepreneurship Empowerment in South Africa Program, the Riata Entrepreneurial Internship, the Technology Commercialization Project, the OSU Entrepreneurial Mentors Program, and other such initiatives. In addition, as students launch their ventures, they will have access to the OSU entrepreneurial network.

Financial Aid

Some financial assistance is available based on need.

Career Prospects

The focus of the Program is students creating their own ventures and jobs. As such, graduates will be prepared to start, manage, grow and exit ventures that they create alone and with partners. The skill set associated with successful venture creation can clearly add value in a wide range of professional contexts both in the public and private sector. However, the prime emphasis is on new venture creation.

Faculty

  • Dr. Bruce Barringer (MSE Program Director)
  • Dr. Michael H. Morris (Head, School of Entrepreneurship)
  • Dr. Robert Baron
  • Dr. Gary Frankwick
  • Dr. Justin Webb
  • Dr. Rubin Pillay
  • Dr. Tom Westbrook
  • Professor Vance Fried
  • Mr. Steve Wood
  • Mr. Jon Wiese
  • Ms. Nola Miyasaki
  • Dr. Craig Watters
  • Ms. Patricia Henriques