Rollins College

What you'll study

This programme blends core business disciplines with entrepreneurship-focused courses and experiential projects. Students complete the college's liberal arts general education requirements alongside a sequence of entrepreneurship modules that cover idea generation, venture creation and small business management.

• Foundations: introductory accounting, principles of economics, principles of management and marketing to build core business literacy.
• Entrepreneurship core: courses in entrepreneurial finance, business planning and feasibility analysis, small business operations, and legal issues for entrepreneurs.
• Practical skills: digital marketing for small businesses, negotiation and sales, supply chain and operations for SMEs, and customer discovery methods.
• Experiential learning: practicum or capstone in which students develop and pitch a business plan, internships with local start-ups or small firms, and participation in campus incubator/accelerator activities.
• Electives and special topics: social entrepreneurship, family business management, franchising, and courses in innovation management or product development.
• Capstone: a culminating project involving a live consulting engagement, venture launch simulation, or a funded prototype developed with faculty mentorship.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a high school diploma or equivalent. Admissions typically consider a combination of academic record, letters of recommendation and a personal statement that outlines interest in entrepreneurship. Standardised tests may be optional depending on admission pathways; applicants should check current guidance from the college.

• Successful secondary school completion with a competitive academic record.
• Personal statement or essay describing entrepreneurial interests, previous projects or leadership experience.
• One or two academic or professional references recommended.
• International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through accepted tests or institutional pathways.
• Relevant work experience, portfolio items (for those who have launched ventures or completed projects) and an interview may strengthen an application.

Career prospects

Graduates leave prepared to start their own businesses or to take operational and development roles in small and growing companies. The programme emphasises practical skills that are valued across sectors.

• Founder or co‑founder of start-ups and small businesses.
• Small business manager or operations manager in family firms and SMEs.
• Business development, sales and product management roles in early-stage companies.
• Roles in incubators, accelerators, community economic development organisations and non-profit enterprises.
• Consulting for small firms or working in corporate innovation teams supporting intrapreneurship.
• Further study in business, venture capital, or specialised masters programmes.

Why study at Rollins College

Rollins combines a liberal arts ethos with close faculty mentorship and small class sizes, allowing entrepreneurship students to get personalised guidance while developing practical ventures. The college's location near a dynamic regional economy provides access to internships, mentors and community partners who work with students on real projects.

• Hands‑on learning: structured practicum, incubator support and opportunities to pitch to local investors and mentors.
• Faculty and mentorship: faculty with practitioner experience and connections to the local business community support student ventures and experiential projects.
• Interdisciplinary approach: the programme draws on liberal arts courses and business fundamentals so graduates are adaptable problem-solvers.
• Local ecosystem: proximity to a diverse small business and start-up community that offers internships, consulting projects and networking opportunities.