Kaplan, Kauffman Partner on Grad Certificates for Entrepreneurs

Kaplan University has partnered with Kauffman FastTrac, a provider of learning curricula for entrepreneurs, to offer two new online graduate certificates designed to prepare students for careers as business people.

“This partnership provides a unique opportunity to combine the innovation of Kaplan University’s online platform with the stellar curriculum that the Kauffman Foundation has developed over the years,” said Kaplan President Wade Dyke. “These certificate programs are a great complement to the university’s online business curriculum. Promoting entrepreneurship through education is central to both of our missions.”

According to the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity, a leading indicator of new business creation in the United States, the number of new businesses created during the current recession increased. In 2009, business startups reached their highest level in 14 years – even exceeding the number of startups during the peak 1999-2000 technology boom.

The Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship for New Ventures uses the FastTrac NewVenture framework to help students learn the process of starting and building a successful business. The certificate provides instruction in key business areas, including creating business plans, developing financial and operation plans, and creating feasibility studies.

The Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship for Growth Ventures uses the FastTrac GrowthVenture framework to help students learn how to manage an expanding business and to strategically align all aspects of the business for growth. The certificate provides instruction in business areas, including creating marketing plans, identifying leadership strategies, creating growth business plans and conducting internal assessments.

”Nearly all net job growth in our country comes from companies less than five years old. So, today more than ever, we need more people starting companies, and we need current business owners to be more successful in growing their firms,” said Carl Schramm, president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation, which created the FastTrac program.