The undergraduate and graduate programs in entrepreneurship at Washington University in St. Louis have been recognized as among the top ten in the United States by The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine survey of more than 2,000 schools.
The annual ranking reveals the nation’s top 25 undergraduate and top 25 graduate programs for entrepreneurship. Washington University’s undergrad program was ranked No. 9 and the graduate program, No. 10. The rankings are published in the October issue of Entrepreneur magazine which hits newsstands and is available online Sept. 21.
Schools were evaluated based on key criteria in the areas of teaching entrepreneurship business fundamentals in the classroom, staffing departments with successful entrepreneurs, excellence in mentorship, providing experiential or entrepreneurial opportunities outside of the classroom, as well as non-traditional, distinguishable aspects of their programs.
“This recognition caps an exciting decade of expansion and growth for the entrepreneurship curriculum at Washington University,” says Washington University Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton. “Thanks to the generous support of the Skandalaris family and the Kauffman Foundation, we have created a new, multidiscipline, campus-wide model of entrepreneurial studies that connects a diverse mix of students and faculty to the St. Louis community.”
In addition to coursework, a wide variety of experiential learning opportunities are offered through all seven of the University’s schools, such as IdeaBounce ®, internships, consulting projects and two business plan competitions where students network with investors and community mentors to create successful ventures. Beginning this academic year, a minor in commercial entrepreneurship is available for non-business students.
“Our students are creating innovative businesses that span the commercial and nonprofit worlds,” says Ken Harrington, managing director of the Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurial Studies. “The social, environmental and political ventures reflect the diversity of our students, their interests and the impact they will have on the world.”
Schoology, an online classroom management tool launched by three Washington University students before they graduated in 2009 is featured in the October issue of Entrepreneur magazine. The young entrepreneurs recently secured $1.25 million in funding for their venture.
“We are very proud of our entrepreneurial students who, with mentoring from faculty and community partners, are turning ideas into successful ventures,” says Mahendra Gupta, dean of the Olin Business School at Washington University and the Geraldine J. and Robert L. Virgil Professor of Accounting and Management. “Research shows entrepreneurs and small business are playing a leading role in job creation and the economic recovery, making these skills essential for all students to master.”