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Entrepreneurship
Program Number: 311452
Your Degree: Technical Diploma
Estimated Time to Complete: 36 Credits | Finish diploma in 1 year
Delivery Method: 100% Online, Some Online/Some In Person
Area of Study: Business
Estimated Program Cost: $6,670.32
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  • Program Overview

    The Entrepreneurship technical diploma program at Madison College will teach you a diverse set of leadership skills and how to apply them to your professional goals.

    Classes will cover:

    • Writing business and marketing plans
    • Business and nonbusiness selling presentations
    • How to build an entrepreneurial mindset
    • Creating a Business Model Canvas
    • Management techniques
    • Customer relations

    We support budding entrepreneurs annually at the Madison College Challenge business plan competition. All Madison College students interested in starting their own small business are encouraged to enter. Finalists have a chance to win a cash prize micro-investment, as well as many other great prizes that will help you develop a successful small business. 

    Program Details

    Students in the Entrepreneurship program can attend full or part-time.

    Entrepreneurship diploma classes may be offered at these Madison College campuses:

    • Madison - Truax

    Madison College's Entrepreneurship diploma holders are ready for a range of professional positions, including:

    • Small Business Owner/Manager
    • Entrepreneur
    • Department Manager
    • Merchandiser
    • Sales Representative
    • Sales Associate

  • Program Courses

    Here's a sample course sequence that shows how classes for full-time students are typically organized by semester. 

    Once you're admitted, your full curriculum and sequence—including any pre-requisites—is defined in your Degree Progress Report.

    First Semester
    10-106-100
    Mindset for Success
    Designed to foster the attitudes and skills that can inspire and empower you throughout your career regardless of your chosen path. Develop and improve skills in creativity, ambition, critical thinking, innovation, opportunistic thinking, and teamwork through experiential and problem-solving approaches. Become an engaged workplace contributor and develop a workforce-ready mindset.
    3 credits
    10-145-126
    Customer Engagement Strategies
    This course explores how businesses can enhance customer experience and build lasting relationships through meaningful interactions and proactive measures. Students examine journeys, data-driven personalization, loyalty programs, and community building. The course equips learners to design engagement plans that increase satisfaction, retention, and advocacy.
    3 credits
    10-145-105
    Operations Management
    Small business management strategies are applied to policies and operations. Included are applications to budgeting, marketing potentials, forecasting, layout, staffing, work flow, scheduling, and general business decisions. E-commerce is also explored.
    3 credits
    10-145-117
    Introduction to Entrepreneurship
    Dreaming of starting your own business? This course is designed to inspire and nurture the entrepreneurial spirit. Students will examine the entrepreneurial process and characteristics of successful entrepreneurs, how to identify and evaluate entrepreneurial opportunities, and the critical elements of an effective business plan -- including management, marketing, and financial data. So whether you dream of a new business, or have a plan that needs further development, this course can help you reach your goals.
    3 credits
    10-801-195
    Written Communication
    Develops workplace writing skills which include prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. A variety of writing assignments are designed to help the learner analyze audience and purpose, research and organize ideas, and format and design documents based on workplace subject matter and content.
    3 credits
    10-804-123
    Math with Business Applications
    This course integrates algebraic concepts, proportions, percents, simple interest, compound interest, annuities, and basic statistics with business/consumer scenarios. It also applies math concepts to the purchasing/buying and selling processes.
    3 credits
    Second Semester
    10-101-106
    Accounting Fundamentals
    Surveys accounting principles and practices with an emphasis on interpretation, rather than preparation, of financial statements. Presents basic business terminology, cash basis and accrual basis accounting, ratio analysis, payroll, and budgeting. This class is not for students majoring in accounting.
    3 credits
    10-102-143
    Organizational Management
    Learn why results and relationships are key to effective management, in the context of the traditional managerial elements of planning, organizing, directing, and controlling. Apply techniques for problem solving, critical thinking, decision-making, delegation, motivation, change management, and political savvy behavior to case studies, simulations, and activities. Self-assess Emotional Intelligence (EI) and apply techniques to improve EI. Manage tasks while working independently and/or remotely.
    3 credits
    10-104-104
    Selling Principles
    Dive into personal selling with this dynamic course. Analyze the relationship between selling and marketing, develop ethical standards, and evaluate buyer motivation and resistance. Learn to build trust through product knowledge and relationship strategies, understand the selling process, and create effective sales presentations for goods, services, or ideas.
    3 credits
    10-145-125
    Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Small Business Marketing
    This course explores how artificial intelligence can boost marketing strategies for small businesses. Learn to leverage AI tools for customer insights, targeted advertising, personalized content, and data-driven decision-making to enhance brand visibility, drive sales, and streamline marketing efforts effectively.
    3 credits
    10-145-102
    Small Business Development
    Provides an introduction to prospective small business owners to the principles involved in planning and operation. Attention is given to small business appraisal and opportunities. Emphasis will be placed on factors that contribute to a successful business operation.
    3 credits
    10-145-118
    Small Business Internship
    This course requires a minimum of 144 hours of employment in an area related to the student’s future business plans. Reports and discussion in class are coordinated with student employment. Employee appraisal, evaluation and harmony on the job will also be topics of discussion.
    3 credits

  • How to Apply

    To Apply

    Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!

    If you are an international student and want to apply to Madison College, or transfer your F-1 student visa here, check program availability and then complete the International Admission Process.

    Note: It is recommended to only apply for a semester that has already started if you are currently enrolled in classes, or you have verified that classes are still available for that semester.

    Application Dates

    Fall 2026

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is November 15, 2026

    Spring 2027

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is April 15, 2027

    Summer 2027

    • Application available on September 15, 2026
    • Application completion deadline is July 15, 2027

    Fall 2027

    • Application available on October 15, 2026
    • Application completion deadline is August 31, 2027

    Admission Requirements

    All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.

    1. Admission Application

    The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.

    2. Education Completion

    Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:

    • High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
    • GED/HSED completion
    • College transcript or Madison College experience showing:
      • Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
      • At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
        • The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
        • Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum
        • Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript

    All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.

    Additional Notes

    Individual courses may have prerequisites to enroll. Admission into a certificate or waiting list does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses. See the Curriculum section for the list of courses for the certificate. 

    Questions?

    Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

    apply for admission

    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Entrepreneurship career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Career Outcomes

    After completing the Small Business Entrepreneurship diploma program at Madison College, you will be able to:

    • Create a fluid and dynamic business plan.
    • Manage the financial resources and systems of a small business.
    • Establish and maintain efficient business operations.
    • Use marketing strategies that are appropriate to the size and nature of your business.
    • Analyze, evaluate and act on creative ideas to grow the business.
    • Develop a professional network to create business opportunities.
    • Manage and motivate your employees.
    • Build and maintain strong client relations.
    • Identify and incorporate appropriate technology for business.

    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      		20242025
      Number of Program Graduates6047
      Number of Surveys Sent5947
      Number of Surveys Returned5641
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment73
      Percent Available for Employment12.5%7.3%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market85.7%90.2%
      Available for Employment

      		20242025
      Graduates Employed52
      Percent of Graduates Employed71.4%66.7%
      Employed in Related Occupation22
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation40.0%100.0%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation30
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation60.0%0.0%
      Employed - No Response00
      Percent Employed - No Response0.0%0.0%
      Seeking Employment21
      Percent Seeking Employment28.6%33.3%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      		20242025
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.53.6
      Number of Satisfaction Responses147
      Very Satisfied (4)75
      Percent Very Satisfied50.0%71.4%
      Satisfied (3)71
      Percent Satisfied50.0%14.3%
      Unsatisfied (2)01
      Percent Unsatisfied0.0%14.3%
      Very Unsatisfied (1)
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.0%0.0%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      		20242025
      Number of Primary Reason Responses5541
      Preparation for Getting a Job31
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job5.5%2.4%
      Career Change01
      Percent Career Change0.0%2.4%
      Improvement of Existing Skills14
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills1.8%9.8%
      Preparation for Further Education4534
      Percent Preparation for Further Education81.8%82.9%
      Personal Interest31
      Percent Personal Interest5.5%2.4%
      Other30
      Percent Other5.5%0.0%
      When Employment was Obtained

      		20242025
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses52
      Before Enrollment10
      Percent Before Enrollment20.0%0.0%
      While Attending the College22
      Percent While Attending the College40.0%100.0%
      After Training at the College20
      Percent After Training at the College40.0%0.0%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      		20242025
      Number of Employment Location Responses63
      In College District31
      Percent In College District50.0%33.3%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District21
      Percent of In Wisconsin33.3%33.3%
      Outside of Wisconsin00
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.0%0.0%
      Employer Location Unknown11
      Percent Location Unknown16.7%33.3%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend20242025
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count22
      Average Monthly Wage$4,755$3,222
      Average Hourly Wage$27.65$18.73
      Average Work Hours per Week40.045.0
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count
      Average Hourly Wage
      Average Work Hours per Week

    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2025
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Dept of Children and FamiliesTitle IV-E Eligibility Specialist
      Eco EssentialsOwner/ProprietorJanesville

      * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.

      ** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.

      *** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu

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