Galloway, N.J. — Stockton University announced this week that it will offer several new academic options beginning this fall, including new certificates in entrepreneurship and business management fundamentals in hospitality to meet the growing demand from students and the community.

Both certificates are in the School of Business but open to all students regardless of their major. The Entrepreneurship Certificate consists of four courses (16 credits), covering topics such as Market Discovery and Innovation, Venture Launch and Growth, Entrepreneurial Finance and Global Entrepreneurship.

“The skills Entrepreneurship students learn, such as go-to-market and growth strategies, formation, problem-solving, legal structure, finance and communication, are highly transferrable as business owners or industry leaders,” said Monica Amadio, assistant professor of Business Management.

The certificate is in addition to Stockton’s Entrepreneurship major in its School of Business, which debuted in Fall 2025. Both programs help students build, launch and scale regional and global businesses.

“We say that having a job is good, but creatingjobs changes our community. All our professors are also entrepreneurs and experts in the field. We share our enthusiasm and passion for business startups,” said Amadio, who’s also the founding chair of the Entrepreneurship degree program. “Entrepreneurship students are invited to many meet-and-greet events on campus to network with and learn from successful businesspeople, faculty and other like-minded students." 

Read more about the new Entrepreneurship Certificate.

The Business Fundamentals in Hospitality Certificate also consists of four courses (16 credits) and provides a strong foundation in accounting, marketing, human resources and business law, said Noel Criscione-Naylor, a professor of Hospitality and Tourism and Event Management Studies.

“Whether you're majoring in Healthcare, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Education, Communications Studies, Sustainability, or the Arts, every industry needs professionals who understand how organizations operate,” said Criscione-Naylor, who’s also the program chair. “This certificate will provide valuable business skills and prepare students for leadership in any organization.”

Stockton students already enrolled in the Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management major in the School of Business are automatically enrolled in the certificate program with no extra coursework or tuition.

Read more about the new Business Fundamentals in Hospitality Certificate.

Stockton also will launch a new interdisciplinary concentration where Mathematics majors can earn a minor in Economics. Students completing the program will be well prepared for careers in consulting and quantitative research, as well as graduate study in economics, data science or related fields, said Bradley Forrest, professor of Mathematics.

Also, as part of Stockton’s recent partnership with other New Jersey community colleges in the South Jersey Higher Education Alliance, the university has created new transfer pathways from the following Atlantic Cape Community College associate degree programs to Stockton bachelor’s degree programs:

• Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Studies to Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
• Associate of Applied Science in Esports to Bachelor of Science in Esports Management
• Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts to Bachelor of Science in Hospitality, Tourism & Event Management
• Associate of Applied Science in Food Service Management to Bachelor of Science in Hospitality, Tourism & Event Management
• Associate of Applied Science in Hospitality Management to Bachelor of Science in Hospitality, Tourism & Event Management

Tracey Meilander, associate provost for Curriculum & Compliance, also said a new articulation agreement will facilitate a transfer from Essex County College’s Associate of Applied Science in New Media Technology to Stockton’s Bachelor of Arts in Digital Studies.

“These new academic offerings give Stockton students more flexible, practical pathways to pursue their interests and prepare for the opportunities ahead,” Meilander said. “Students can tailor their education to their goals while gaining the knowledge, experience and professional connections needed to succeed.”

-- Story by Mark Melhorn, photo by Susan Allen