INTRODUCING THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP MINOR FOR NON-BUSINESS MAJORS The School of Management received final approval during the spring semester to roll out its highly anticipated minor in entrepreneurship. This exciting development paves the way for non-business academic majors to explore the world of entrepreneurial innovation and unleash their creative potential. The program officially launched in fall 2023, marking a significant milestone in the College’s commitment to nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset across campus. Tailored to the needs of non-business students, the entrepreneurship minor offers a unique opportunity for individuals from diverse academic backgrounds to gain an experiential education in value creation and business development. The program emphasizes collaboration, creating a vibrant environment for sharing and advancing innovative ideas. Moreover, this collaborative approach reflects the dynamics of real-world entrepreneurial ventures, bringing together individuals with varied perspectives, experiences, and expertise. By equipping non-business students with the tools and knowledge needed to turn their ideas into reality, the program opens a world of possibilities. Whether students aspire to start their own businesses, join startups, or become intrapreneurs within existing organizations, graduates of the entrepreneurship minor will gain the mindset, skills, and confidence necessary to become “value creators” in any field.
46 | College of Business and Economic Development
TAILORED FOR SUCCESS: REDESIGNED MBA CURRICULUM Students beginning their MBA in the fall 2023 semester will benefit from a newly redesigned curriculum that better reflects the demands of a modern and global business environment. Following months of collaboration between academic and business sector leaders, the new MBA curriculum consists of 30 hours instead of 33 hours and includes one accounting prerequisite, removing the statistics and finance prerequisites. Program updates feature a combination of a strong 15-hour business core area plus a 15-hour focus area, allowing students to tailor their MBA to their current or next position. Adding a focus area allows students to declare a formal certificate in areas like economic development, sport security management, or instructional technology. There are also opportunities to take elective courses in subjects such as communications, public health, supply chain, and logistics. Program leadership plans to develop new areas of emphasis in future semesters as the MBA program continues to grow. The MBA program, available in-person at the Hattiesburg campus and fully online, is designed to prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and entrepreneurial mindset to enter their desired career field or advance in their current sector.