EP 300 — Fashion Design Concept Launchpad (Interdisciplinary)
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
This is an interdisciplinary course cross-listed with FD 300. In this dynamic forum, students identify new opportunities in the fashion market and create innovative product concepts and business plans through cross disciplinary collaborative partnerships. Focus is placed on apparel and fashion products. Students develop skills and resources as both designers and entrepreneurs, culminating in product design, technical specification, business strategy and pitch for a Launchpad into the marketplace.
Prerequisite(s): EP 311.
EP 311 — Introduction to Entrepreneurship
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
This course introduces students to entrepreneurship and its applicability to the creative arts. It examines some of the legends of the industry and identifies the characteristics necessary for achieving success as an entrepreneur. It reviews today's creative arts and business landscape and introduces students to the significance of entrepreneurship and its opportunistic position at the cutting edge of this industry.
EP 321 — The Business Plan
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
In this project-based course, students prepare and present a professional business plan, which then provides the foundation for their own business plans in semester 8. In this process, students acquire the knowledge, skills, and entrepreneurial mindset conducive to business success.
Prerequisite(s): EP 311.
EP 331 — Finance and Accounting for the Non-Financial Manager
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
The course introduces the non-financial student to the basics of finance and accounting, with an emphasis on understanding cash flow, income statements, balance sheets, and financial ratios. The importance of these elements in supporting the business plan and in understanding the financial ramifications of their decisions is highlighted.
Prerequisite(s): EP 311.
EP 360 — Social Enterprise
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
This course challenges students to create social value through entrepreneurship. Using the tools of entrepreneurs and innovators in the not-for-profit sector, social entrepreneurs apply the skills to develop a social enterprise for society’s most pressing social problems. Rather than leaving societal needs to existing government, not-for-profit or corporate solutions, social entrepreneurs find and demonstrate innovative ways to address these needs.
EP 361 — Cognitive Entrepreneurship
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
Focuses on the human factors of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs need to understand more than just the data behind the business. This includes the personal and behavioral factors related to an entrepreneurial venture. Students learn the emotional intelligence required for highly successful entrepreneurs in the creative industries.
EP 362 — Introduction to Blockchain for Creative Businesses
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
Students understand and utilize Blockchain technology, including how it applies to creative-based businesses and entrepreneurship. Using the tools of entrepreneurship and innovation, they develop concepts for new business opportunities in creative fields, products, and ventures. The fundamentals of blockchain and digital assets, applied to new and innovative business opportunities and ventures for the creative industries are covered.
EP 441 — Converting Innovation into Value
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
Students learn to source and develop new venture and growth strategies for future businesses. The course introduces value propositions, value supply chain structures, revenue models, and growth strategies. Students examine business model development with a major focus on converting an idea from innovation into value.
Prerequisite(s): EP 311.
EP 452 — Entrepreneurship Practicum
3 credits; 2 lecture and 2 lab hours
This is the capstone course for the Entrepreneurship program. Using the tools of entrepreneurs and innovators, participants apply the skills developed throughout the program. They demonstrate their capacity to identify needs, analyze industry dynamics, target market opportunities, refine solutions, access channels, create business models, and pitch to industry professionals.
Prerequisite(s): EP 311 and EP 441.
EP 499 — Independent Study Entrepreneurship
1-3 credit
Prerequisite(s): a minimum of 3.5 GPA and approval of instructor, chairperson, and dean for Business and Technology.