An article authored by Barth Strempek, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, was recently published in the Academy of Educational Leadership Journal. The piece entitled, "Integrated Business Core Curricula (Undergraduate): What Have We Learned in over Twenty Years?," appears in the Special Edition on Engaged Learning (Volume 14). Strempek was the lead author with Stewart W. Husted (Virginia Military Institute) and Peter Gray (United States Naval Academy).
This is the final article in a series of pieces derived from Strempek’s work developing integrated business/entrepreneurship curricula. It critically examines sixteen integrated business core curricula at the undergraduate level and analyzes their differences, similarities, and assessment results. While six of these programs have been abandoned or are no longer operational as designed, the composite successes and failures offer several important lessons on how to design, implement, and sustain such innovations. Analysis of the collective assessment results suggests generally positive achievement of learning goals (core and higher-level objectives) and job placement outcomes. However, significant challenges concerning implementation and sustainability have been experienced by most schools.