EDE 6350:

Introduction to Economic Development and Entrepreneurship
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: Graduate standing
This course investigates the complicated intermingling of public and private roles in economic development within cities and surrounding regions. Topics include: small business development and government subsidies, approaches to land acquisition and disposition, private provision of public benefits through exactions, linkage, and inclusion/incentive zoning, strategic capital investments, and urban redevelopment strategies.
 

EDE 6351:

Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: Graduate standing
At the center of entrepreneurial activity is the individual entrepreneur

combined with an opportunity to create something new and valuable. This course investigates the relation between the entrepreneur and the opportunity to ignite the creative spark that leads to this creation. Topics include who the entrepreneur is and the entrepreneur’s contribution to society, creative thinking, innovation, opportunity recognition, opportunity evaluation,
franchising opportunities, global entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial resources.
 

EDE 6352:

Developing the Business Plan
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: EDE 6351
Turning a viable entrepreneurial opportunity into valuable enterprise is a critical part of the entrepreneurial process. This course will use the development of a formal business plan to teach the student the process of turning an opportunity into a real enterprise. Topics include developing the marketing plan, financial plan, formal organization plan, and production/service plan. Additional topics will include tax issues, legal and regulatory issues, intellectual property protection, and risk management.
 

EDE 6353:

Nurturing and Growing the Fledgling Venture
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: Graduate standing
This course investigates the early stages of a firm’s Growth, which are critical to long-term success. Topics include financial analysis and control, sources of early-stage financing (both private and public), establishment of a strong customer base, human resource issues for early-stage firms, the basics of planning and budgeting, leadership, managing change, E-commerce, ethical behavior and social responsibility, and management for long-term growth.
 

EDE 6354:

Growing the Successful Venture
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: EDE 6353
This course investigates the challenges and issues facing the entrepreneur as the firm grows and matures beyond the early stages. Topics include private and public funding sources, including going public; strategic planning; human resource issues for the growing firm; managing change; growth and expansion options; leadership; ethical behavior and social responsibility; succession planning; estate planning; and exit strategies.
 

EDE 6355:

Economic Development and Entrepreneurial Finance
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: Graduate standing
The course examines the fundamentals of economic development finance, including an overview of economic development finance, business credit analysis, fixed asset financing, real estate financing, sources of private and public finance, and capital budgeting. Coverage also includes entrepreneurial finance designed to help managers make better investment and financing decisions in entrepreneurial settings, including venture capital and private equity.
 

EDE 6356: 

Methods in Economic Development
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: EDE 6350 and EDE 6356
This is an introductory course in data analysis, methods of measurement, survey techniques, data presentation, economic and demographic trend analysis, location analysis as applied to
economic development, and GIS. Emphasis will be on computer applications.
 

EDE 6357: 

The Practice of Local Economic Development
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: EDE 6350, EDE 6355, and EDE 6356
This course introduces students to the practices underlying the field of economic development. Economic development is a field that has grown in importance in recent years as the post-modern economy in the United States has evolved away from traditional manufacturing jobs towards service-oriented industries. This restructuring has heightened the competition between cities for economic growth and new development, leading to a new wave of strategies and programs to develop new industries or attract relocating firms.
 

EDE 6358: 

Theory and Practice of Regional Economic Development
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: EDE 6350 and EDE 6356
This course examines issues surrounding sustained economic growth, such as retention of the existing firms to maintain economic growth for the region while adding new businesses. Topics include the supply chain; human resources; cluster analysis; location analysis with emphasis on location decision-making and investment by different types of businesses; foreign direct investment; international trade; land use policy (natural resource and environment); and the SWOT analysis.
 

EDE 6359: 

Economic Development and Entrepreneurship Project
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: Must be within nine hours of graduation.
The course is designed to allow students to apply knowledge and skills learned throughout the program to a specific project. Students will be required to complete a project that has an economic development focus, entrepreneurship focus, or both. The project will be approved by the course instructor and graduate program director prior to registration for the course.