The difference between a business and an entrepreneurial degree is not always easy to understand. Both degrees are similar but contain some significant differences that could make them more attractive to students with different goals. This overview of both degrees will hopefully clear up any confusion regarding the topics they cover.
Characteristics of a Business Degree
A business degree is a generalized degree designed to teach students the fundamental skills and concepts of business management. Business degrees cover a wide variety of topics about business including finance, marketing, law, human resources, business management and more. These programs also teach leadership skills, presentation skills, communication skills, problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, research skills and other traits needed to succeed in the modern business world. Business schools also have thriving graduate programs where students can study for an advanced degree.
Characteristics of an Entrepreneurship Degree
An entrepreneurial degree, on the other hand, is often considered more of a creative degree. These programs have a stronger focus on starting new businesses and generating business ideas. They cover topics such as common pitfalls and challenges new businesses face as well as how to establish, run and grow a successful business. They also focus on creating concepts for new businesses, products and services that will sell. Students pursuing this degree are taught how to perform market research, how to legally register business entities, how to properly keep track of their organization’s finances and more. Entrepreneurship degrees also teach many of the same subjects that business degrees do, especially marketing and finance.
Which To Choose
With a stronger understanding of what each degree offers, students are in a better position to choose the option that best reflects their goals. Students who want to go into business for themselves are better served by obtaining an entrepreneurial degree while students who want to join the traditional business world and work at established companies are better off with a business degree. Students who aren’t yet sure what they want to do are often better served by a business degree as it is more general. Both degrees often lead to high-paying positions and both cover similar topics in the classroom. Neither is inherently better than the other and students can succeed in the business world with either degree or neither.
Availability
While entrepreneurship degrees enjoy healthy popularity, business degrees remain one of the most popular degree choices for any student who wants to enter the business world, no matter their area of interest. This is confirmed by the National Center for Educational Statistics. Because of this, a much wider variety of schools offer business degree programs compared to programs in entrepreneurship. This can be a significant factor in deciding which degree to pursue, and students wanting something a little different might be inclined to choose an entrepreneurial program. It is also possible to obtain both degrees; students can get an undergraduate degree in entrepreneurship and then go on to get a Master’s in Business Administration. Students also have the option of double majoring or pursuing a minor in either of these degrees in addition to a subject in their area of interest.
Related Resource: 50 Most Entrepreneurial Schools in America
Both entrepreneurial and business degrees are solid areas of study for starting a career in business. Although they may sound similar and teach similar topics, the differences between a business degree and an entrepreneurial degree are clearer upon close examination.
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