Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship for New Ventures
Programa de Becas de Desarrollo Profesional
Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship for New Ventures[1]
OAS/DHDEC/CIR. 041/2012
1) Offering Institution: Kaplan University, USA
2) Coordinator: Teresa Traub. E-Mail: [email protected]
3) Dates of the course: September 5, 2012 – October 16, 2012
4) Duration: One 6-week term
5) Modality of the course: Online
6) Languages of Instruction: English
7) Course objectives:
The Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship for New Ventures prepares students with the critical knowledge and skills to become successful entrepreneurs. Kaplan University has teamed up with Kauffman FastTrac®, a provider of learning curricula that equips aspiring and existing entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, and networks to start and grow successful businesses. Kauffman FastTrac® was created by the Kauffman Foundation, the largest foundation that advances entrepreneurship as a key to growing economies and expanding human welfare. By taking the FastTrac® NewVenture™ courses, students study the process for starting and building a successful business. The certificate is designed to provide knowledge of key business areas including creating business plans, developing financial and operation plans, and creating feasibility studies. For more information, pleasevisit: http://online.kaplanuniversity.edu/business/Pages/Graduate_Certificate_Entrepreneurship_New_Ventures.aspx.
8) Course content:
This certificate program includes two courses in the School of Business and Management:
a. FOUNDATIONS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP—FASTTRAC® NEWVENTURE™: In this course, students will learn the process of starting a building a successful business. Using the FastTrac® NewVenture™ framework, students will explore entrepreneurial attributes while discovering the practical knowledge, strategies, and skills needed to create a viable business plan. Students will learn how to create a plan that attracts the financial and leadership support of internal and external stakeholders needed to achieve success.
b. FASTTRAC® NEWVENTURE™ LAB: In this course, students will embark on the entrepreneurial process. They will use idea-generating strategies and explore resources for entrepreneurial success for the start-up business. Using the FastTrac®NewVenture™ framework, students will develop and refine a business concept, take it through a rigorous planning process, and outline the critical steps for a successful business launch. Students will also learn how to identify and reach their target markets, set realistic financial goals, and build effective organizations. Students will explore the practical knowledge, strategy, and skills needed to plan for the legal issues, marketing, and management involved in a new business, product, or service launch.
9) Eligibility Requirements:
· Be a citizen or permanent resident of an OAS Member State (Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba[2], Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala , Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, United States, Uruguay and Venezuela). Citizens or permanent residents of the country of study, in this case the United States, cannot apply for this scholarship opportunity.
· All assistants must have, at least, a bachelor’s degree and submit a copy of the transcripts of the degree or diploma. Transcripts from foreign institutions must meet the same requirements as those from domestic U.S. institutions. Foreign transcripts must be translated into English along with an explanation of the grading scale, evaluated for equivalency to a United States high school or college diploma by an authorized school official, appropriate outside agency, or approved foreign credential evaluator, and submitted prior to enrollment. Evaluation documents must include U.S. equivalency of the degree and/or diploma and a course-by-course equivalency evaluation if the student desires to receive credit for individual courses. Kaplan University will assume the cost of the third-party evaluation for the student if the results will be provided directly to Kaplan University and not the student.
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· Have a good command of English; applicants for whom English is not the first or native language should submit one of the following to verify English proficiency:
o Proof of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 550 or higher for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer-based test, or 80 for the Internet-based test; IELTS score of 6.5, EIKEN score of Grade Pre-1, or PTE score of 53.
o Proof of completion of secondary education (or higher) in a country where English is the primary language
o A transcript indicating completion of at least 45 quarter credit hours (or equivalent) and a CGPA of 2.0 or higher (or equivalent) from a university located in an English-speaking country
o Proof of completion of secondary education at an international high school where English is the primary language of instruction
o A transcript indicating completion of an English composition course with a grade of “C” or above from a U.S. institution of higher learning
The minimum required score on the University’s English Proficiency examination
· Submit the complete application before the deadline set by the respective National Liaison Office (ONE). It is the applicant’s responsibility to ascertain the deadline set by the ONE in his or her country of residence[3].
Note: If you were awarded an OAS Professional Development Scholarship in the past twelve (12) months or if you currently hold an OAS Scholarship for Academic Studies, you are NOT eligible to apply for another Professional Development Scholarship.
10) OAS Scholarship Selection Criteria: In accordance with article 4.2 of the Manual of Procedures of the Scholarship and Training Programs of the OAS, OAS scholarships shall be granted based on the following criteria:
· The objectives and priorities established in the Strategic Plan for Partnership for Development;
· The training priorities of the member states;
· The merits and overall credentials of the candidate, including his/her academic and professional background;
· The financial need of the candidate; and
· An extensive and equitable geographic distribution for the benefit of all member states and that takes into account the greater needs of the smaller and relatively less developed economies.
11) Scholarship Benefits:
The OAS Department of Human Development, Education and Culture (DHDEC) and Kaplan University will each cover 50% of the total cost of the tuition and fees. Additionally, Kaplan University will cover the costs of books for the scholarship recipients.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: THESE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS CORRESPONDING TO THE 2012 REGULAR BUDGET
12) Responsibilities of the scholarship recipients:
· The selected candidate must confirm their acceptance of the scholarship to DHDEC, allowing OAS to do the necessary arrangements to designate a new selected candidate in case of scholarship declinations.
· In order to become scholarship recipients, the selected candidates must confirm their acceptance of the scholarship by signing and returning to DHDEC their completed “form of acceptance of the scholarship award”
· If the selected candidate has accepted the scholarship, but for justified reasons can not participate in the course, he/she must notify immediately to DHDEC.
· If the selected candidate declines, cancels or ends the scholarship after the course has begun, without written authorization of DHDEC, he/she will have to reimburse GS/OAS the total amount spent in his/her scholarship.
· The scholarship recipient must complete a Kaplan University Enrollment Agreement prior to starting courses and meet all admissions requirements.
The scholarship recipient is responsible for access to computer equipment and communication expenses.
· Students must have the following skills:
1. Ability to use email to correspond with faculty, staff, and students
2. Ability to access, create, and save documents in Microsoft Office formats; at a minimum, students must be familiar with Microsoft Word
3. Ability to browse the web, including downloading and installing common plug-ins (listed at http://online.kaplanuniversity.edu/Pages/Technology_Requirements.aspx) and configuring common browser options
4. Ability to configure and run applications, including an antivirus application, to ensure that the student’s system is secure and transmitted files are virus free
To enroll in classes online, all Kaplan University students must have access to a computer with the minimum requirements found at http://online.kaplanuniversity.edu/Pages/Technology_Requirements.aspx. Some courses and programs may have additional software and hardware requirements. Students should review the Hardware and Software Requirements document, which is provided as a supplement to the University Catalog, for their school’s specific requirements.
13) Presentation of the candidacies:
1. Select the course
2. After having read the course information thoroughly, click “Continue/Continuar” at the end of the page.
3. Complete application form.
4. After completing application form click “Send / Enviar” at the end of the page 5.
5. A copy of the application form will be sent automatically to your e-mail account.
6. Print and sign application form e-mailed to your account.
7. Submit signed form and required documents with Professional Development Scholarships Forms & Documents to the National Liaison Office (ONE) in your country.
Any questions regarding submission of applications for this course should be sent to: [email protected]
OAS/DHDEC/Afarfan/ Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship for New Ventures /Kaplan/USA/2012
[1] The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (“GS/OAS”) reserves the right to cancel this scholarship announcement at any time. Moreover, the OAS, GS/OAS, and its personnel are not liable for any actions taken in reliance on or otherwise based upon information in this announcement.
[2] On June 3, 2009, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Americas adopted resolution AG/RES. 2438 (XXXIX-O/09), which resolves that the 1962 Resolution that excluded the Government of Cuba from its participation in the inter-American system, ceases to have effect in the Organization of American States (OAS). The 2009 resolution states that the participation of the Republic of Cuba in the OAS will be the result of a process of dialogue initiated at the request of the Government of Cuba, and in accordance with the practices, purposes, and principles of the OAS
[3] The deadline for presentation of applications to the (ONE) differs from country to country and should therefore be confirmed with the relevant ONE in the applicant's country of origin or permanent residence.