7 Entrepreneurship Courses for High School Students
- Jessica Zhou
- Mar 17, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 31
If you are a high school student interested in entrepreneurship, these courses offer a solid introduction to the fundamentals of starting and managing a business, giving you practical skills in financial literacy, strategic planning, and innovative thinking. By taking these courses, you not only enhance your college applications and demonstrate initiative, but you also build a portfolio that reflects your business interests. These courses will also give you the knowledge and experience you need to launch your business ventures!
Here are 7 great entrepreneurship courses for high schoolers! Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
Location: University of Pennsylvania
Cost: $7,599
Course dates: Two-week sessions in June-August, depending on your chosen dates
Application deadline: April 3
Eligibility: High School students in grades 9-11 (check program-specific eligibility here)
If you're a high school student interested in entrepreneurship, the Wharton Global Youth Business Programs' Essentials of Entrepreneurship course will give you the foundational knowledge you need to launch your own venture successfully. Over a two-week period, you will learn about the process of launching a startup through lectures, recitations, and activities. This program covers core techniques in user research, opportunity testing, developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), marketing, scaling, and exiting. You'll have the chance to collaborate with peers and develop a pitch for an early-stage startup.
You'll attend lectures by Wharton faculty, lecturers, and PhD students. Completing the program earns you a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion.
Location: Online via Edx
Cost: Free without a certificate and $199 with a certificate (financial aid available)
Course Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible to enroll in this course.
Entrepreneurship For All (Part I): The UC Berkeley Startup Guide for Students by Silicon Valley Insiders offered on edX is a valuable resource if you are an aspiring entrepreneur. Taught by Silicon Valley insiders, this course provides a comprehensive guide to the startup process, from idea conception to launch and scaling. You will gain insights into crucial aspects such as identifying market opportunities, developing business models, and crafting effective pitches. The course also covers real-world case studies and practical advice, drawing from the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Silicon Valley. It includes video lectures, readings, projects, and peer collaboration.
Location: Online
Cost: Up to $1,795
Course Dates: 1, 2, and 4 Week Sessions
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and up
Through this program, you will explore the history of entrepreneurship, learn how to identify a need in the marketplace, discover what it means to “fail forward” by adapting to market changes, and develop fluency in thinking and speaking about how businesses work. You will also learn how to build partnerships and funding sources through networking, develop a timeline and plan to launch your business, and determine if entrepreneurship is something you’d like to pursue in college and beyond. The course culminates with a special Capstone Project that shares your business idea.
Location: Online
Cost: $3,000-$5,000 (2-4 weeks)
Course Dates: 2 weeks or 4 weeks in July
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: 16-18-year-old high school sophomore or junior
This course will help you understand how social entrepreneurs drive innovation in fields such as health, education, and the environment while considering community needs. You will examine the opportunities and challenges associated with a variety of social enterprises, including social purpose businesses, nonprofits, and revenue-generating enterprises. Guest speakers will allow you to engage with individuals and organizations that exemplify mission-driven values. The course includes readings, recorded presentations, and discussions. You will develop a business plan and an elevator pitch for your own idea for a non-profit or for-profit social enterprise as your capstone project.
Location: Online
Cost: $3,050
Course Dates: July 10 - July 2
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: 9-12th graders
This program is designed to provide high school students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices that drive innovation and successful entrepreneurial ventures. Taught by faculty and experienced entrepreneurs, the course covers a wide range of topics, including idea generation, market analysis, product development, and launching and scaling a startup. Through lectures, workshops, case studies, and collaborative projects, you will gain a solid theoretical foundation and develop the skills necessary to succeed.
Location: Georgetown University
Cost: $5,775
Program Dates: June 16 - June 28
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Be a current or rising high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior during the academic year prior to your summer program and show evidence of good academic standing, with at least a 2.0 GPA
Georgetown University's Entrepreneurship Academy is a two-week program that explores entrepreneurship, including choosing a start-up, prototype testing, market research, social innovation, and the nuances of global business operations. The curriculum is designed to bridge theory with practical application, teaching you the essentials of design thinking and brainstorming to transform your ideas into viable business plans. You will work in teams to prepare for a final pitch competition, simulating real-world business planning and presentation scenarios. You'll benefit from guest lectures and engage in discussions. Upon successful completion, you will receive a Certificate of Participation.
Location: Online
Cost: $6,295
Program Dates: July 8 - July 29
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible
The Babson College Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience summer study program explores social, economic, and environmental challenges aligned with the U.N. Global Goals. You will learn from Babson faculty, who are educators and experienced entrepreneurs. You will receive mentorship from Babson graduate and undergraduate students. You will also hear from leaders within Babson’s entrepreneurial network, engage with faculty, alumni, and students through panels and presentations, and take academic courses. The course schedule includes live sessions lasting approximately 3 hours daily, with an expectation of up to 5 additional hours each day for out-of-class assignments.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here. Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Jessica attends Harvard University where she studies Neuroscience and Computer Science as a Coca-Cola, Elks, and Albert Shankar Scholar. She is passionate about educational equity and hopes to one day combine this with her academic interests via social entrepreneurship. Outside of academics, she enjoys taking walks, listening to music, and running her jewelry business!
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