BMCC Small Business Entrepreneurship Degree Program Available Fully Online

Students at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) can earn an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Small Business/Entrepreneurship (SBE) fully online.  BMCC received notification the New York State Education Department approved the online option on July 14.

Now that the SBE degree is fully available online, students can complete the entire degree program from anywhere in the world. There is no requirement to attend classes on campus.

“This will be true even after the pandemic restrictions of meeting face to face are lifted,” said Mahatapa Palit, chairperson of the Business Management department at BMCC. “This flexibility is very helpful for working students, students who have to stay at home to take care of their families, or students such as military personnel who may be posted in another part of the world.”

Launched in 2003, the SBE program is geared toward high school graduates, professionals and small business owners. The program is designed to prepare students with the necessary skills to start their own business or to be a successful employee of a small business. The program features four courses specifically designed to help students begin their own business.

“The degree gives students the knowledge, skills and entrepreneurial thinking required in most well-paying careers today,” said Roderick Shane Snipes, deputy chairperson of the Business Management department and coordinator of the SBE program.  Our curriculum takes the person from ground zero to full flight.”

Snipes said the new online option is ideal for anyone with a tight schedule such as students who are employed, caregivers or small business owners looking to improve their managerial skill or learn about ways to grow their businesses.

BMCC SBE program recognized nationally

In June 2020, BMCC became one of just 11 colleges nationwide to have its SBE program accepted into the Financial Entrepreneurs Curriculum Initiative Phase 2 pilot program. Managed through a partnership between the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) and the company Intuit, the program strives to empower future entrepreneurs with the financial management tools and skills required for long-term business success.

Throughout the academic year, the BMCC SBE program hosts panel discussions and webinars where students have opportunities to meet successful entrepreneurs and ask questions. The Business Management Department also hosts a yearly Entrepreneur Summit which this year was hosted virtually. The all-day event was filled with presentations, opportunities for students to pitch or virtually invest in business ideas as well as timely panel discussions led by industry leaders including BMCC alumni. The event also featured a Founders Festival, where students and alumni showcased their business ideas and ventures.

“There are many ideas and businesses that have come out of the BMCC SBE program,” said Snipes. “These include clothing lines, cosmetics, beauty salons, personal care products, sneaker design, food businesses, mobile apps, marketing services and music businesses to name a few.”

For more information visit the BMCC Small Business Entrepreneurship website.