Nexford University Course Syllabus
ENT 2100 Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Course Level: Undergraduate
Course Duration: 8 Weeks
Course Prerequisites: None
Course Credits: 3
Course description
Introduction to Entrepreneurship introduces learners to the concept of entrepreneurship by exploring the “Lean Startup” movement to help frame what a startup is and how learners can approach new markets and businesses from a product perspective. Learners evaluate a business idea, assess its viability in a broader market, and create a simple prototype to test the idea with customers.
Course description
Course competencies
Identify the benefits and risks of starting a company especially within regional market conditions and opportunities.
Identify the various ways that product market fit impacts the earliest stages of Lean Startup methodology.
Determine viability of a business idea through conducting a competitive analysis.
Analyze how a pivot can be used to maintain successful product market fit.
Evaluate which customer segments are most appropriate at various stages of development.
Evaluate various revenue models and their distinguishing features.
Identify the role of a minimum viable product within Lean Startup and assess various techniques for executing effective prototypes.
Course outline
Courses start at 12:01 AM ET on the first day of every month. The following chart outlines each module’s start and end date. In accordance with Nexford University’s flexible pacing model, learners are permitted to progress faster through each module and submit module assignments sooner than each module’s designated assignment due date. Unless otherwise noted, all assignments for a module are due no later than the module’s end date.
| Module | Start and End Date | Assignment Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1: Entrepreneurship Beyond the Glamour | Day 1-10 | Day 10 |
| 2: Why Startups Fail | Day 11-17 | Day 17 |
| 3: Revenue Models | Day 18-24 | Day 24 |
| 4: Structure of a Team | Day 25-31 | Day 31 |
| 5: Importance of Product Market Fit | Day 32-38 | Day 38 |
| 6: Intrapreneur vs Entrepreneur | Day 39-45 | Day 45 |
| Final Project | Day 39-54 | Day 54 |
Please visit the “Assignments and grades” tab in your course menu for additional details about the graded assessments for each module.
Evaluation
All assignments include 100% online components eligible for grading. Every course also includes a Final Project. All assignments, including the Final Project, earn letter grades that are calculated on the basis of a course-specific rubric.
| Grading Scale | Grading Weights | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 90-100% | Module Assignments | 30% | |
| B | 80-89% | |||
| C | 70-79% | Final Project Milestones | 30% | |
| F | <70% | |||
| I | Incomplete | Final Project | 40% | |
| W | Withdrawn | Total | 100% | |
Course completion requirements
Nexford University expects all learners to complete all course requirements within the designated time frames allotted for each module. In order for a learner to move forward from one course to the next, the learner must earn a passing grade on the Final Project as well as all other module assignments.
Faculty Support
Information for your professor can be found in your course under the “Professors” tab of your course menu. Office hours and contact hours will be listed by your professor in your course menu under the “Professors” or “Announcements” tab.
Please visit the “Professors” tab and “Announcements” tab of your course for real-time updates on your professor’s availability. Professors are available by appointment for additional guidance. Learners should send an email to arrange an appointment. Professors will respond to emails within 24 hours, Monday through Friday. Professors will respond within 48 hours to emails sent on Saturday and Sunday.
Grading feedback on all assignments will be provided within seven days of the due date or the date when the assignment was submitted.
Participation
Heading Side B
Participation in course activities is essential to learner success at Nexford University. Learners are expected to demonstrate some academic-related activity in the course at least once a week. Academic-related activity is defined as posting course-related content, completing an assignment, or submission of an assignment.
Learning resources
The Nexford University library is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Learners are encouraged to access the library frequently for instructional materials, articles, ebooks, and videos to support their learning experience.
Technical Support
Learners who need technical support relating to NexLe can request assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by contacting success@nexford.org.
Policies
Nexford University believes that learners, faculty, staff, and community should be treated with respect and dignity. The University further believes that diversity of thought, race, national origin, sexual orientation and identity, gender, and age is important to the enrichment of the University and all of its constituents. The University believes in the equitable and fair treatment of all of its learners, faculty, staff, and community.