Master of Business Administration - Entrepreneurship Concentration

Program Overview

Woodbury University, located in Burbank, California, United States, offers a specialized Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an Entrepreneurship Concentration. This program is uniquely tailored for individuals with an innovative spirit, aiming to launch and grow their own ventures or to foster an entrepreneurial mindset within existing organizations. Woodbury's MBA is characterized by its intensive, practice-based approach, emphasizing responsible leadership, sustainable business practices, and self-empowerment within a personalized learning environment, making it an ideal choice for aspiring entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs.

ACBSP Accredited: The School of Business at Woodbury University holds accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). This accreditation underscores Woodbury's commitment to delivering high-quality business education with a focus on practical application and student-centered learning. ACBSP accreditation ensures that the curriculum of the Entrepreneurship MBA is relevant to the needs of the business world, specifically addressing the dynamic environment of startups and small businesses, and prepares graduates effectively for immediate professional contributions. Woodbury has maintained ACBSP accreditation since 1998, reflecting a sustained dedication to educational excellence.

AACSB Accredited: In addition to its ACBSP accreditation, Woodbury University's School of Business is also accredited by AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. This dual accreditation is a significant distinction, as AACSB is globally recognized as the most prestigious accreditation for business schools, achieved by less than 5% worldwide. Woodbury first earned AACSB accreditation in 2014 and has successfully reaffirmed it, most recently in February 2024. This signifies that the MBA program, including the Entrepreneurship concentration, meets the highest international standards for academic rigor, faculty expertise, intellectual contributions, and impact on practice, providing graduates with a superior competitive edge in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Curriculum: The Entrepreneurship MBA at Woodbury University is a 36-credit hour program, structured for efficient completion, often in as little as one year for students with an undergraduate business degree, or one and a half years for those without, by utilizing an intensive 7-week session format. The curriculum comprises 8 core MBA courses and 4 specialized electives within the Entrepreneurship concentration. Core courses provide a strong foundation in areas such as Financial Accounting, Quantitative Methods for Business Decisions, Managerial Economics, Managing and Leading Organizations Ethically, Marketing Concepts and Strategies, Managerial Finance, Management of Information Technology, and a capstone Strategic Management Consulting course. The Entrepreneurship concentration specifically includes courses like "Small Business Management Administration," "Business Law and Regulatory Issues for Entrepreneurs," "New Venture Creation," "Family Business Management and Succession," and "Innovation and Creativity for Entrepreneurship," providing practical skills for launching and managing new ventures.

Research Focus: Woodbury University's MBA program, particularly the Entrepreneurship concentration, integrates research into its practice-based curriculum. Faculty members, who are often "edu-preneurs" with both academic credentials and significant entrepreneurial experience, bring current scholarly insights and real-world case studies into the classroom. The program encourages "design thinking," a problem-solving approach rooted in analysis and innovation, which is crucial for identifying market opportunities and developing viable business models. The core "Entrepreneurship" course (MGMT 608) often involves students in hands-on outreach projects, providing real-world consulting experience and the opportunity to create research projects while developing problem-solving and critical thinking skills essential for entrepreneurial success.

Industry Engagement: Woodbury University demonstrates exceptionally strong industry engagement, which is particularly vital for an entrepreneurship program. Located in the entrepreneurial hub of Los Angeles, the university fosters a vibrant ecosystem for aspiring business owners. The School of Business features a dedicated "Center for Entrepreneurship" which hosts a variety of events, including an "Executive-in-Residence program," "Entrepreneur Lecture Series," and the "Baron Business Plan Competition." These initiatives connect students directly with successful entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and potential investors, providing mentorship, networking opportunities, and practical insights into launching and growing businesses. Faculty members, many of whom have founded or run their own businesses, also serve as invaluable mentors, bridging the gap between academia and real-world entrepreneurial challenges.

Global Perspective: The MBA with an Entrepreneurship Concentration at Woodbury University implicitly incorporates a global perspective, recognizing that entrepreneurial ventures increasingly operate in a globalized marketplace. While not a standalone "global" concentration, the curriculum in "New Venture Creation" and "Business Law and Regulatory Issues for Entrepreneurs" often addresses the complexities of international markets, intellectual property in a global context, and navigating diverse regulatory environments. The program's broader MBA objectives also emphasize developing leaders who "think globally." Woodbury's diverse student body and faculty further enrich the learning environment with varied cultural viewpoints, preparing future entrepreneurs to identify and pursue opportunities across international borders and to build ventures that can scale globally.