FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas' Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation is hosting a virtual information session on the Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship on March 31. 

The 12-credit-hour certificate is open to all students from any discipline. Participants must be U of A graduate students in good standing. 

The certificate provides students with the knowledge and skills to evaluate business ideas; an understanding of entrepreneurial finance pathways; extensive mentoring from seasoned entrepreneurs and investors; and opportunities to compete in international business plan and startup competitions such as the U of A's own Heartland Challenge. 

Graduate students pursuing the Certificate in Entrepreneurship work on interdisciplinary teams to develop business ideas in the incubator-like, hands-on New Venture Development I & II courses that conclude the program. These teams count more wins at state and national business plan competitions than any other university — 29 national wins and 60 awards at the Arkansas Governor's Cup, winning more than $3 million in prize money. The program's alumni have founded 40-plus startup companies and organizations. 

The session will be at 4 p.m. and led by Sarah Goforth, executive director of the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which oversees the certificate. Goforth will cover the structure of the program, the process through which students identify teams and ideas, and how to apply for available fellowship funding. Sign up via the OEI website.  

About the U of A Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation: The Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation creates and curates innovation and entrepreneurship experiences for students across all disciplines. Through the Brewer Family Entrepreneurship Hub, McMillon Innovation Studio and Startup Village, OEI provides free workshops and programs — including social and corporate innovation design teams, venture internships, competitions and startup coaching. OEI also offers on-demand support for students who will be innovators within existing organizations and entrepreneurs who start something new.  

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among fewer than 3 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.