Carland College of entrepreneurship

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the program objectives?

Our objectives are to inculcate entrepreneurial vision and entrepreneurial will: the ability to recognize and create opportunities, and the self-confidence to capitalize on them. Our purpose is to help existing entrepreneurs to grow their ventures, and to help prospective entrepreneurs avoid the mistakes which are so common in venture launches.

How does the program operate?

The program is delivered entirely on line. The materials are delivered through streaming video, pdf, text, and web media.

How long does it take?

Students who enroll in one course at a time take two years to complete the program. However, one can speed up or slow down at any point, as life requirements dictate.

How much time is involved?

For each course, we anticipate that the work load will average 5 hours per week in video and message board interaction, and another 10 hours per week in reading, writing exams and developing projects.

How can I be sure that the program is right for me?

If you have entrepreneurial passion, then we have the program for you! We are so serious about delivering a quality program that we offer a money back guarantee. You may enroll in a course for four full weeks and if you are unhappy for any reason, we will refund your tuition. All we need is a one page, non-degree seeking application, which you download from the College website.

When do classes begin and what is the deadline for application?

Classes begin each semester, year round. An Academic Calendar is posted on the website with dates for the entire year. A complete application can be processed within a week.

What are the exams and assignments like?

Generally, each course requires a midterm and final exam. These are completed independently at home. In addition there are practically oriented projects in each class which are individually or team based, and there will be message board interaction each week.

What does it take to enter?

Acceptance into the Master’s program requires a baccalaureate in any area or discipline, from a university accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or its international equivalence. Candidates must take the GRE or the GMAT. (The exam is waived for a candidate holding an advanced degree.) Candidates submit a précis of their work history, write an essay, and participate in a telephonic or Skype based interview. The admissions committee weighs all of the information and makes a determination as to whether it believes the candidate is prepared for graduate study. There is no grade point average cut off, and there is no minimum score required on the GMAT or GRE. GPAs and test scores are factors to be weighed by the committee, and are no more important than the experience and passion a candidate displays.

What GPA is required?

There is no minimum grade point average required. In general, GPAs are less important the longer you have been out of school. If you are a recent graduate without work experience, the admissions committee will look more closely at your GPA, simply because you have less evidence of readiness for graduate study to present. If you have been out of school for a while and have deep work experience, the GPA may become less important.

What if your test scores are old?

It does not matter how old your scores are as long as you have or can obtain a copy of your scores. If you have questions about whether your documentation is acceptable, send us an email.

How much does it cost?

The current tuition is $399 per course. There are 10 courses in the program, for a total of $3,990. Tuition may increase in the future, but your tuition rate is locked in at the date of your acceptance, so long as you remain continuously enrolled. Pdf texts and streaming videos are provided for the majority of courses without additional cost. However, ancillary materials are required for some courses. These are not under our control, but our faculty make every effort to choose outstanding educational support materials which are also affordable.

Is the College accredited?

The College is not yet accredited. It is licensed by the state of North Carolina and authorized to grant degrees by that state. The College is actively pursuing accreditation, and it is our intention to achieve accreditation at the earliest possible date. However, we can make no assurances about our accreditation prospects.

Do you need the GMAT or GRE to apply?

No. All that is required for application is the application form, and official transcripts from your universities. You must complete the GRE or the GMAT before you can be fully admitted. You can find out more about the GMAT at www.mba.com, and the GRE at www.ets.org.

Must you start at any particular time?

No, you may start at the beginning of any semester, year round. An Academic Calendar is posted on the website with dates for the entire year.

What if my degree is not in business?

The field of your undergraduate degree does not matter. You will not be penalized or suffer in any way with a degree outside business. We have designed the program for people with a passion for entrepreneurship. You bring the passion, and we will bring the content!

Are there prerequisites?

There are no prerequisites to enter the program. However, you will need some accounting knowledge. If you have experience in working with the preparation or use of financial reports and statements, that may suffice. If you have no such experience, you might want to take an undergraduate course in accounting. Please email us to discuss specifics about the accounting preparation that you may need and whether an undergraduate course would be appropriate.

Can you go full time?

Yes. A student may complete the program in one year through full time study.

Can you transfer in a course?

We can accept a maximum of 12 hours of transfer work if it is substantially identical to our courses. If you have a course you would like to have considered, please email us with the specifics.

Is there credit for experience?

We do not offer course credit for experience. However, we do offer challenge exam options for the various courses. We would be happy to discuss this process with you at any time.

What are the qualifications of the faculty?

Our faculty is made up of scholar entrepreneurs. Every member of our faculty is first, and foremost, an experienced entrepreneur. In addition, our faculty are terminally qualified educators whose research reputations place them among the leading entrepreneurship scholars in the world. The lead faculty include Dr. James W. Carland, Jr. and Dr. JoAnn C. Carland. Together, they have cofounded more than a dozen companies, coauthored more than a dozen books, published more than 70 articles in scholarly journals and more than 200 papers in scholarly proceedings. They are internationally known in entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education. Their full vitae are available on their personal home page, www.thedrscarland.com. If you conduct a Google search on Jim and JoAnn Carland, or a Google Scholar search, you will see independent evidence of the breadth of their impact on entrepreneurship education.

Is financial aid available?

Yes, we have a loan program which we can custom design to fit your individual needs.