A new opportunity now exists for students looking to start their own businesses in Mississippi through a program being offered by a local university.
Students at Mississippi State University can earn a major in entrepreneurship through the school’s College of Business, with the area of study being created just in time for the 2025-26 academic year. The new major seeks to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences to launch their own ventures or bring innovative thinking to existing organizations.
For many years, Mississippi State has offered courses in entrepreneurship, experiential innovation and entrepreneurship, and family business management. But the entrepreneurship major features additional core courses like creativity and innovation, along with business venture creation, providing a sturdier academic foundation for those looking to chart a path of their own in a future business career.
“Many students come to Mississippi State with a plan to start something big,” Mississippi State College of Business Dean Scott Grawe said. “Some of these big things are new businesses, and some are new paths within existing organizations. Our new entrepreneurship major provides the knowledge to succeed on either path.”
Entrepreneurship majors can enhance a student’s studies through Mississippi State’s nationally recognized Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach, or the E-Center, which offers co-working space, startup funding, mentoring, and other programs that support student-led ventures. While participation in E-Center initiatives is not required, these opportunities allow students could yield invaluable real-world experiences for participants.
Students can also choose to seek residency in the entrepreneurship living-learning community, which offers designated on-campus housing for like-minded peers. The new entrepreneurship major is open to incoming freshmen, transfer students, and current students interested in pursuing a degree with a focus on creativity, innovation, and applied business skills.
