UB School of Management, Institute for Entrepreneurship Offer Online "Micro-MBA" Program for Entrepreneurs

BUFFALO, N.Y. - It doesn't have the same cachet as a full-fledged MBA degree, but who needs a credential when you're your own boss? And who has time for classroom instruction when you're the company's CEO, CFO and CIO all rolled into one?

Targeted to busy entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs worldwide, an Online Micro-MBA in Entrepreneurial Studies -- believed to be the first of its kind -- is being offered jointly by the University at Buffalo School of Management and The Institute for Entrepreneurship, based in Albany.

The non-credit certificate program provides an overview of topics commonly covered by credit-bearing MBA programs, with an emphasis on real-world business applications and strategies useful to the entrepreneur or business manager.

All instruction for the 27-module program is delivered over the Internet via the student's personal computer and can be completed anywhere at anytime. Topics covered include business-plan development, marketing, entrepreneurial roles, e-commerce, supply and demand, budgeting and family-business management.

UB School of Management faculty and staff developed the program's content and technology.

"Many entrepreneurs have little formal business training; much of their business knowledge comes from instinct, experience or trial and error, which can amount to a pretty steep tuition," says Lewis Mandell, dean of the University at Buffalo School of Management. "The Micro-MBA in Entrepreneurial Studies offers entrepreneurs a more comprehensive understanding of the business applications they use everyday, and it builds knowledge of skills they'll need to better manage their enterprises."

"To our knowledge no other university offers this type of program for entrepreneurs," says J. Felix Strevell, chairman and CEO of The Institute for Entrepreneurship. "We are proud to be part of the new learning revolution with such a great program."

Tuition for the program is $995 per student. There are no degree requirements and new students can enroll at anytime. Graduates receive a certificate of completion from the UB School of Management.

For a demonstration of the program, go to http://www.mgt.buffalo.edu/online/micro/site For more information, call 716-645-3200.

The Institute for Entrepreneurship serves entrepreneurs throughout the U.S. and worldwide. Its mission is to bring excellence to entrepreneurs of all ages through education, innovation and access to capital worldwide. It provides Web-based degree and certificate programs to entrepreneurs through partnerships with colleges and universities. For more information about the institute, go to http://www.nyie.org

The UB School of Management is ranked by Business Week as one of the top business schools in the country. It annually enrolls more than 2,500 students in undergraduate and graduate degree programs and offers a variety of professional-development courses through its Center for Management Development.