Best Online Masters in Entrepreneurship Degrees for 2025

Online Vs. Traditional Education in Entrepreneurship

Online degrees are still a relatively new phenomenon in academic circles. These master’s degree programs have been evolving rapidly in the 21st century, especially in light of the COVID pandemic and the sudden emphasis on distance learning and working. Despite this growth, many traditionalists in academia and the professional world tend to decry this trend toward online learning. However, their fears are often misplaced.

First off, an online degree opens up learning to far more students than traditional methods alone. Now, working students and those who are unable to make it to a particular campus and its master’s degrees are now able to gain access to master’s degree programs from wherever they are. Students find that online learning is far more flexible and less disruptive to their professional and family lives. It also poses no barrier to learning.

Most online master’s degree programs are in topics that focus on reading, writing, and electronic presentations. Thus, the online medium is well-suited to learning subjects such as business administration, entrepreneurship, and technology fields. While some decry the lack of personal engagement with professors, the opposite can be true. Students who reach out to their professors or instructors can have an immediate one-on-one connection. No longer are students relegated to the back of a classroom or lecture hall. Now every student can ask questions or seek clarifications directly from their professors with a simple email, rather than setting up a meeting during office hours.

Finally, online learning has proven to deliver tremendous outcomes. Educational research has shown that online students have equivalent outcomes to their traditional campus peers. When students engage with their instructors and fellow students online, they can achieve just as much as those in traditional master’s degree programs.

Accreditation

Accreditation is one of the most important factors when it comes to finding the best online program in entrepreneurship. Accreditation is a credential that affirms a program's strength and even the long-term outcomes for students. There are many different accreditation agencies out there, but students should look for one of two sorts of accreditation: regional and programmatic. Regional accrediting agencies should be approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Degrees from these schools hold the most weight within the region in which they are accredited, though exceptions abound.

Programmatic accreditation, on the other hand, is a more robust credential that means that the school meets a national standard for education. There are programmatic accreditation agencies for subjects such as business, psychology, STEM subjects, and more. Business and entrepreneurship students should consider accreditation from either the AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE as the gold standard for their master’s degree. These degrees are more likely to be respected nationwide and employers may even give more tuition reimbursement to employees who enroll in these programs.

Entrepreneurship Certifications

A master’s certification in entrepreneurship can be a terrific way to gain the added knowledge needed for a successful business launch. These credentials can be earned with only a few courses and so will cost less than a full degree while also adding graduate credits to one's resume. Once completed, students can add the credential to their resume and thus gain added credibility in the business community.

Entrepreneurs often appreciate that they can gain a certification in specialty areas where they need more training. There are master’s certifications available in areas such as innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Entrepreneurs might also consider certifications in other areas of business where they may need additional education.

One key area for entrepreneurs to master might be corporate finance. After all, many entrepreneurs create start-up companies with the help of venture capital. Later, once they have established themselves and achieved a level of success, they may wish to sell their companies. A deeper knowledge of how mergers and acquisitions are funded and structured would be very helpful in that event. If they don't sell their company to another corporate entity, they may eventually wish to do a public offering. A certificate in corporate finance will help them know how to prepare their company for the rigors of an initial public offering (IPO).

Master’s level certificates are a real boon to entrepreneurs who need added training in specific areas yet who don't have the time to spend on a full master’s degree program. This approach also provides them with a verifiable academic accomplishment that they can put on a resume and use to assure clients of their expertise. The credits they earn for a master’s certificate can also be used if they decide to return to school and complete their master’s degree in entrepreneurship.