This fall, Virtual Enterprises International (VEI) launched its first college-level program in partnership with Bronx Community College and College Now (an early-college City University of New York initiative). The program provides high school students who complete the one-year course with six college credits.
Students enroll in the program through their high schools and register for two three-credit BCC classes–Business Organization & Management (BUS 51) in the fall and Marketing (MKT 11) in the spring. Upon completion of the year-long program, participating students will earn six college credits towards the Business Administration A.S. Degree Management/Marketing Management options at BCC. These credits will be transferable to all colleges and universities.
Participating students will learn about every aspect of launching a business, including business organization, management and marketing. Professor James Simpson says that the VEI students are seen as corporate employees and must use all functioning aspects of a business to run their virtual firms.
The demand for the program has been overwhelming, requiring the college to create two sections of the class (both with long waiting lists).