I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Business Management Capstone

2. Course Prefix & Number:
BUSN 2150

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lab Hours: 6

4. Course Description:

This Capstone course provides students the opportunity to create a final project or experience in the Business Management Program. Students will have the opportunity to conduct a research project, complete a volunteer or internship experience, or complete a Business Plan in consultation with the Small Business Development Center.

5. Placement Tests Required:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

Hibbing Community College, BUS 1286 Developing and Writing the Business Plan, 2 credits
MN State Community & Technical College, BMGT 1112 Business Plan Development, 2 credits

3. Prior Learning - the following prior learning methods are acceptable for this course:

• Written
• Demonstration

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Entrepreneurship, Certificate

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate written communication skills	Create a business plan document.
Utilize appropriate technology	Utilize current computer software to create the final capstone project.
Work as a team member to achieve shared goals	Collaborate with Small Business Development Center consultants or other internship/volunteer experiences.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Explore available avenues to gather proper information;
• Identify the information that needs to be researched;
• Secure necessary information for a business plan;
• Document the information included in the business plan;
• Demonstrate understanding of information included in the business plan financial section;
• Demonstrate an understanding of key terminology in the field of business or management;
• Project revenue and expenses;
• Demonstrate an understanding of how financial statements can answer questions from lenders; and
• Complete a business plan.

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions

1. Cover Page
• Student Name
• Contact Information
• Copy Number, Date Prepared, Disclaimer 
• Capstone Title
2. Table of Contents
3. Executive Summary 
• One page document.
• Significant highlights of capstone.
4. Literature Review, Volunteer Journal, and Review & Business Plan document (10-15 pages)
• Literature review
• Business Management research question
• Research article 1
• Research article 2
• Research article 3
• Research article 4
• Research article 5
• Analysis
• Summary/conclusion
• References
• Volunteer Experience
• Summary of volunteer experiences (40 hours)
• Lessons learned
• Journal 1
• Journal 2
• Journal 3
• Journal 4
• Journal 5
• Analysis
• Volunteer evaluation
• Summary/conclusion
• Internship Experience
• Summary of Internship Experiences (40 hours)
• Journal 1
• Journal 2
• Journal 3
• Journal 4
• Journal 5
• Analysis
• Volunteer evaluation
• Summary/conclusion
• Business Plan Outline
• Cover Page
• Company Name, Logo, Tagline
• Contact information
• Title of plan, date prepared, disclaimer
• Table of contents
• Executive Summary
• One page overview of the plan
• Significant highlights
• Industry, Target Customers, and Competitor Analysis
• Key industry characteristics
• Customer segments
• Market niche strategy   
• Company Description
• Nature of the business
• Company objectives
• Company history and current status
• Product/Services Plan
• Primary product features and benefits
• Primary service features and benefits 
• Marketing Plan
• Marketing strategy
• Customer selling
• Advertising and promotion  
• Operations and development plan
• Operating or manufacturing methods
• Operating facilities
• Operating equipment
• Management Team
• Owner resumes
• Directors listing
• Advisors listing
• Critical Risks
• Known inherent risks
• Offering
• Capital requirements
• Uses of money 
• Exit Strategy
• Harvest plan(s)
• Owners
• Investors
• Financial Plan
• Projected financial statements
• Sources of financing
• Budgets 
• Appendix of supporting documents