America's Best Colleges for Entrepreneurs: Online classes
What do you think of the online courses on FSB’s America's Best Colleges for Entrepreneurs list this year? Have you attended one of our picks? Are they the best? Did their program help you build a businesss? Did we miss a great school? Tell us what you think. The best replies will be published here, and possibly in a future story on CNNMoney.com.
From Brandon Markman, Apex, NC My support would go to Western Carolina University. I chose to attend Western Carolina University, and both their programs are the foundation for my entrepreneurial career. I obtained a Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship in 2001 and completed the Master’s of Entrepreneurship program in 2006. The programs offered by Western Carolina were a perfect compilation of textbook strategies and principles, instructor experience and case studies. The curriculum is focused on the students learning how to develop, fund, manage and grow a small business. The Drs. Carland, founders of the programs, pride themselves on their innovative teaching styles. They incorporate technology such as message boards and DVDs to assist in the learning process. I am excited to hear that the Carlands are launching a new venture, Carland Academy. The company is sure to become the leader in Entrepreneurship education and training. The website states that the courses will allow individuals to “Obtain the knowledge, skills, and confidence you need to start your own business.” I agree with this statement because that is exactly what the Carlands did for me. I have used the knowledge from both degrees to start and operate a venture, and I am currently planning the launch of a second business.
From Michelle Hall, Fort Smith, AR I have had the honor to study under Dr. Jim and Dr. Joann Carland at Western Carolina University. Since I was managing a state wide project focused on building entrepreneurship programs and policy, I was initially engage in the program at Western to see how the curriculum compared to other entrepreneurship educational programs in the state and around the country. I was proud to find that the program at Western was by far the best I have seen in my research. Being an entrepreneur myself, I also learned a great deal about how to open and run a business while avoiding the common pitfalls. I now assist entrepreneurs in starting their businesses. I am delighted that the Carlands have moved on to bring their education programs to more individuals through the Carland Acadamy, I am also excited that Dr. Lockwood is continuing the fantastic program at Western Carolina.
From Jonathan Poston, Asheville NC I also completed Western Carolina University's Master of Entrepreneurship program under the tutelage of the Drs. Carland. Although they are retired from WCU, I understand they are starting their own Academy for Entrepreneurs….all online: http://www.carlandacademy.com
I personally felt the entrepreneurship program was very relevant to my needs as a business owner. The information we learned was extremely valuable and included much of what is covered in mainstream business programs, only with more emphasis on small business and leadership. Among those topics included: Intellectual property, managerial accounting and finance, entrepreneurs as leaders versus managers, research and development, business plan development and launch strategies, innovative thinking and corporate strategy, organizational behavior, international business etc. The best part was that we not only mastered those topics as scholars, but practiced them in the real world.
Jonathan Poston
http://www.prnut.com
From William Brothers, Liberty, SC I had the great fortune to be able to participate in the Master of Entrepreneurship program at Western Carolina. It was a great experience, very rewarding, and innovative. In fact, the program won several prestigious awards while I was a student. The lead faculty, Drs Jim and JoAnn Carland have now started a new venture known as Carland academy. Since Jim and JoAnn designed the program structure and course structure of the M.E. and B.S.E. programs at Western Carolina, they should be well suited to begin this venture, which will focus on the training of entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs. I would recommend this program to anyone who has their own business or is thinking of starting a business. The information they will learn is invaluable!
From Rodney Williamson, Lumberton, NC The delivery of the program, by Dr. James W. Carland, Jr. and Dr. JoAnn C. Carland at Western Carolina University’s Masters of Entrepreneurship program was as innovative and creative as any great invention in the business world. As a result of their research contributions, both of the Drs. Carland are internationally known in the entrepreneurship circles. But what makes them ideal for entrepreneurship programs is their real world experience. I have attended five colleges with nine years of study behind me. This was the greatest educational experience I have ever been a part of in both content and delivery. The Drs. Carland are true entrepreneurs in the field of education. The Carland Academy is positioned to provide an even greater experience in entrepreneurial education. The vision of the Drs. Carland will flourish in the private sector moving forward into the future.
From Barry A., Upper Marlboro MD. I am a graduate of Western Carolina University's Masters of Entrepreneurship Program which was headed up by Drs. Jim and JoAnn Carland. The Drs. Carland are now heading up The Carland Academy Online. Their program was excellent at Western Carolina and is even better at Carland Academy. The Carlands write their own textbooks and fill them with case studies from their own day to day practical experiences of dealing with entrepreneurs. I was introduced to the "e-myth" a few months ago. It blew me away because it hit on so many things I wondered about and mistakes I made in other businesses. It also highlighted mistakes I am currently seeing others in business make. I decided to start out right with my current business. I was not going to produce the same old type of business plan. This time I was going to follow the suggestions from "e-myth." Little did I know their suggestions were going to lead me right back to the Drs. Carland's textbooks to define and find examples of strategic objectives, a different take on how to put together a mission statement and who should see it, as well as creating a vision for a company. The Drs. Carland harp on being entrepreneurial and changing the business playing field. This is what entrepreneurs bring to the table as well as new innovations and innovations of existing products and services.
From Jerry Tice, Asheville, NC The Western Carolina University’s Masters of Entrepreneurship program is by far the best investment I have ever made. The Drs. JoAnn and Jim Carland, the master minds of the program, are simply the best teachers, mentors and leaders I have ever had the pleasure to be associated with. If you want to learn all the textbook theories about organizational dynamics and strategies in multinational corporations go to Harvard. If you want to learn how to put together a successful start-up venture in the real world that will become a multinational corporation, call Western Carolina University. The sad news is that the Drs. Carland retired from WCU this past summer, but I am sure that the program will remain just as strong. The good news is that they have launched their latest venture, The Carland Academy, to make entrepreneurial education available to everyone.
From James Bologeorges, Libertyville, IL Having graduated from Babson more than 20 years ago, I can truly say that the lessons learned and proactive approach has certainly helped me in my career. The one-on-one with top-notch professors was certainly an edge for those of us just starting out. It is great to see Babson finally getting the top billing that it deserves.
From Mike, Phoenix, AZ I think DePaul Univerity's School of CTI is a top notch choice for people wanting to focus on the combination of business and technology. I have an undergraduate degree in marketing and an M.S. in Information Systems from DePaul University and I have no complaints whatsoever. It's given me a great background to launch LogicBurst, which is a web marketing firm. It also doesn't matter where you live, you can take CTI courses anywhere since they offer web-based learning.
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Studying entrepreneurship under Jim & JoAnn Carland at Western Carolina University completely changed the way I view the world and my philosophy of life! The Carlands taught me the business skills and instilled in me the courage to launch my Day Spa years before I expected! The self confidence I’ve gained from accomplishing my first major start up integrated with the knowledge I’ve acquired through this program make me feel that I am ready for anything. After years of struggling as a small business owner, I now consider myself a real entrepreneur and realize that I am in complete control of my life and my destiny. I was among the last of the Carland's graduates while they were at WCU and am so pleased that they have launched their very own academy, http://www.carlandacademy.com.