Examining the applicability of a master's program in entrepreneurship across diverse career paths : A comparative analysis

Abstract: While research on entrepreneurship education increased along with the number of programs, little is known about whether students value certain components of entrepreneurship education differently based on their career choice. In this thesis, we want to close this gap by investigating whether there is a difference in the perception of the learning experience among graduates of an entrepreneurship program who chose employment versus those who became business owners. Using comparative analysis, we examined a survey among 93 alumni of the master’s program in entrepreneurship at Uppsala University between 2014 and 2022. Our findings indicate that the program is applicable regardless of the career chosen. However, the level of applicability varies throughout different course concepts and theories. We also noted differences in where the alumni put emphasis and found that contextual factors might influence the effectiveness of entrepreneurship programs. This research contributes to understanding the applicability of entrepreneurship education programs depending on career preferences and gives insights into the relevance and effectiveness of such programs. This study provides relevant implications for universities offering entrepreneurship education and future students considering them based on their career preferences.