Studying Entrepreneurship

In addition to participating in Lepage Center programs, students may wish to study entrepreneurship as part of their academic program. 

For Undergraduate Students

By completing 18 credit hours of entrepreneurship coursework, BSM students can earn a minor in entrepreneurial business, a credential that signifies they have the skills to add value to innovative, early-stage ventures.

The two-semester Student Venture Accelerator Course is a great opportunity for students to learn to create viable ventures. In this course, students will learn to take an idea from its earliest inception to the next level. Throughout this two-semester course, teams will work on new ventures by developing a business model and business strategy; conducting primary and secondary research; “road testing” an idea to develop initial outlines of financial, marketing, sales, and hiring plans; and ultimately develop a new venture pitch. All students who take the first semester will automatically be enrolled in the second term.

First year students involved in the Ignite Residential Learning Community will have an opportunity to get a behind the scenes look at the entrepreneurial ecosystem in New Orleans by taking the TIDES Class that showcases the Entrepreneurial Landscape of New Orleans and How the City's Diverse Culture Influences It. This course will detail the lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts and what needs to happen to have a vibrant startup community that is equitable, accessible, and collaborative. From local entrepreneurs to community partners to support organizations to investors and more, this course will bring together some of the most important stakeholders in the New Orleans entrepreneurial ecosystem. We will also leverage our data from the Greater New Orleans Startup Report to present an in-depth overview of the current state of the early-stage business economy in New Orleans.