Business Administration: Small Business Entrepreneurship

Program
Degree Type
Associate in Science
Program Overview

The mission of the Department of Business at Nashua Community College is to provide a variety of degrees and professional certificates that respond to the needs of local and regional employers, while maintaining academic integrity. Degrees, certificates, and courses are designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn skills, theories, and practices that prepare students to be successful in business endeavors. Additionally, degrees, certificates, and courses are designed to fulfill the academic requirements to allow students to transfer into a variety of bachelor degree programs.

The Associate in Science Degree in Business Administration curriculum in Small Business Entrepreneurship offers a mix of applied and theoretical courses. The objective of the program is to provide the knowledge students will need for successful careers as owners of a small business.

This option should be considered by students who desire to learn the methods and processes of starting a small business enterprise or by those individuals who seek to manage a small company or family-owned business.

Topics of study include:

  • Developing the idea
  • Describing the business to potential investors
  • Preparing a comprehensive Business Plan
  • Marketing the idea
  • Critical cash flow analysis

For students looking to pursue an education beyond the associate degree, this program is designed to transfer to bachelor degree programs.

Direct Program Contact Info

Kim Eckenrode
Professor and Department Chair Business Studies
603.578.8979
KEckenrode@ccsnh.edu 

Program Retention Rates

Program Retention Rates as of 2026

Course Sequencing

First Year - Fall Semester

Item #
Title
Class Hours
Lab Hours
Credits
ACCT101NCreditsProgramFinancial Accounting I4.00

This course provides a foundation for a thorough understanding of basic accounting procedures and principles through the study of the accounting cycle and financial statements. Additionally, current assets, cash and receivables will be studied. The use of computers in accounting is introduced.

04
BUS119NCreditsProgramSoftware Applications3.00

Students will learn basic applications of end-user productivity software, this includes word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and relational database software. This is Microsoft Office Windows platform based course.
 

22
Behavioral Social Science Elective  +
3
Sub-Total Credits
14

First Year - Spring Semester

Item #
Title
Class Hours
Lab Hours
Credits
ACCT102NCreditsProgramFinancial Accounting II4.00

This course is a continuation of ACCT101N. Current and long-term assets are studied along with liabilities and owner's equity items. Accounting for corporations and bonds are also discussed. The course concludes with preparation of the Statement of Cash Flows and financial statement analysis.

04
BUS110NCreditsProgramPrinciples of Management3.00

This is a survey course designed to expose the student to nature of the organizational environment and the major activities performed by its managers. The course is organized around the functions of management: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling; thus making it possible for students to use the techniques of management in a systematic way. Case studies are used to apply the principles of management to hypothetical business situations.

03
BUS104NCreditsProgramPrinciples of Marketing3.00

This course places an emphasis on the four P's of marketing: Product, price, promotion, and place (distribution). In-depth analysis of consumer versus business customers, products, pricing strategies, consumer behavior, advertising, promotion, personal selling, and distribution channels are offered. Marketing strategic planning and marketing research are covered as well.

03
English/Communications Elective  +
3
Sub-Total Credits
17

Second Year - Fall Semester

Item #
Title
Class Hours
Lab Hours
Credits
BUS207NCreditsProgramSales3.00

This course covers the planning, direction, organization, and control of the personal selling effort. Emphasis is placed on the relationships between sales and selling activities, as well as other marketing functions. Students will have numerous opportunities to create different types of sales presentations aiming at the business to business, and business to consumer markets.

03
Business Elective CreditsProgramBusiness Elective 3

Consult with Advisor

CreditsSub-TotalOffOff
BUS213NCreditsProgramPrinciples of Advertising3.00

This course is an introduction to the field of advertising, which covers the procedures and theories of creating and using advertisements. The course also focuses on the marketing manager's role in designing the firm's advertising program within an overall corporate strategic plan.

03
BUS240NCreditsProgramBusiness Law3.00

This is an introductory course in business law. Discussion topics include the origin of law, the federal and state court systems, contract law, and the Uniform Commercial Code. The case study approach will be used so that legal concepts can be applied to various business scenarios.

03
Humanities/Fine Arts/World Language Elective  +
3
Sub-Total Credits
15

Second Year - Spring Semester

Item #
Title
Class Hours
Lab Hours
Credits
BUS201NCreditsProgramHuman Resources Management3.00

The purpose of the course is to familiarize the student with the scope and content of the human resource management function. Through case analyses and lectures, this course studies the relationship between employees and human resource managers in employment planning, staff recruitment and selection, training and development, performance appraisal and compensation systems, and the promotion of equal employment opportunity.

03
Business Elective CreditsProgramBusiness Elective 3

Consult with Advisor

CreditsSub-TotalOffOff
BUS204NCreditsProgramSmall Business Management: A Capstone Course3.00

This is the Management capstone course, which studies management techniques as applied to small businesses. Topics involve the requirements necessary to launch a new venture and manage it as an ongoing business. Discussions will cover business plan development, computer applications, human resources, purchasing, marketing, taxation, risk management, and control procedures. The development of a comprehensive business plan allows students to plan for a new venture of their choosing, which is presented in both an oral and written proposal.

03
BUS290N or Open ElectiveCreditsProgramBUS290NManagement/Small Business Entrepreneurship Internship33

For Open Elective, consult with advisor.

 

CreditsSub-TotalBUS290NCreditsProgramManagement/Small Business Entrepreneurship Internship3.00

An internship program in the Department of Business and Technology is a hands-on learning experience at a for-profit or not-for-profit organization, which allows the student to practice competencies and skills learned in the classroom under the direct supervision of an on-site internship supervisor. 

81OffOff
Natural or Physical Science Elective (w lab)  +
4
Sub-Total Credits
16
Total Credits
62

Estimated Cost of Program (Tuition Only)

In-State
$14,260
New England Regional
$21,390
Out-Of-State
$31,310
Program Outcomes

Upon the completion of the degree in Business Administration, Small Business Entrepreneurship graduates will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate the capability and initiative to identify entrepreneurial opportunities, as well as assessing and evaluating risks by developing a theoretical business plan.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to prepare, communicate, and present a business plan to a professional audience.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to conceptualize, plan, finance, manage, and grow a mock small business.
  4. Demonstrate a working knowledge of research and analytical skills necessary by developing a comprehensive business plan for a successful new business venture.
  5. Demonstrate the ability to develop tactical, operational, and strategic plans.
  6. Demonstrate the ability to use and understand the basic financial statements according to the generally accepted accounting principles in order to manage the efficient and effective use of company resources.
  7. Demonstrate the ability to utilize promotional and public relations concepts, theories and models to develop marketing strategies.
  8. Demonstrate the ability to synthesize previous coursework while assessing management strengths and weaknesses of business entities.

In addition, the graduate will be able to demonstrate competency in the general education outcomes.

Accreditation

ACBSPAccounting, Management, Marketing, and Small Business Entrepreneurship are accredited by The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), 11520 West 119th Street, Overland Park, KS 66213 Phone: (913) 339-9356 email:  info@acbsp.org