Business Degrees for Veterans: Starting a Vet Owned Business

Veteran entrepreneurs who earn an undergraduate or graduate degree in business or another study area that supports their goal as a business owner are well-equipped with knowledge and skills to launch and grow a business.

Veterans can start a vet-owned business by committing to the growth of their education and professional development and using the business resources featured on this page.

Starting a Vet-Owned Business: What Do I Need to Get Started?

Military veterans interested in becoming veteran business owners should earn at least an undergraduate business degree from an accredited college or university. Earning a business degree prepares entrepreneurs for bringing a business idea to fruition and doing business.

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) also highlights four important steps to becoming a successful small business owner. The four steps include:

• planning a business
• launching the business
• managing the business
• growing the business

Get Your Business Degree

A business degree program teaches the fundamentals of business and prepares students for business ownership through coursework, internship opportunities, and more.

There are lots of accredited institutions that offer online degree programs that provide Veterans with the flexibility and mentors they require to complete a college degree.

3 Schools with the Best Business Programs for Veterans

Many schools offer the best business programs for veterans such as the accredited institutions with online degree programs below.

1. American Military University

Students who have previously earned college credits from an accredited university should consider the online Bachelor of Arts in business at American Military University.

The program focuses on applying business practices in management, marketing, business law, and more to enhance business-making decisions as a business owner. AMU offers a veteran grant to help reduce the cost of tuition.

2. Liberty University

Liberty University is a top military school that offers benefits to veterans such as the Heroes Fund Scholarship to support the educational goals of veterans and military families. Examples of online degree programs that may help prospective business owners include:

• Bachelor of Science in business administration
• Bachelor of Science in psychology
• Master of Arts in executive leadership

3. University of Southern California

The University of Southern California offers online graduate degree programs and the Master of Business for Veterans degree program that offers a flexible alternating on-campus class schedule. Examples of USC online business degree programs include:

• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Business Taxation for Working Professionals

USC also offers online graduate degrees in teaching, engineering, communication, dentistry, and more. Veterans can participate in the DEN@Viterbi Experience for online graduate engineering programs and earn an unlimited number of yellow ribbon awards.

Business Resources for Veteran Entrepreneurs

There are many business resources for veteran entrepreneurs. Veteran Entrepreneurs can find business resources on the US Small Business Administration and the US Department of Veteran Affairs websites.

The Department of Defense also offers business resources for veteran entrepreneurs and the University of Florida offers the National Veterans Entrepreneurship Program.

Veteran Small Business Certification Program (VetCert)

The SBA offers the Veteran Small Business Certification Program to certify Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) to pursue sole-source and set-aside contracts.

With certification, VOSBs can go after contracts at the US Department of Veterans Affairs and SDVOSBs can compete for federal government contracts. Eligibility for certification includes the following:

• 51% veteran ownership
• sam.gov small business registration
• meeting small business size standards

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business

The Department of Defense offers the SDVOSB Program which provides special federal contracting opportunities. SDVOSBs can also gain certification through the VetCert program to increase business options.

Another resource for SDVOSBs and VOSBs is the Surplus Personal Property for Veteran-Owned Small Business programs. The Surplus Personal Property program provides VOSBs access to unused federally owned private property.

National Veterans Entrepreneurship Program

The University of Florida offers the National Veterans Entrepreneurship Program to veterans with a disability connected to serving in the military. The program is an educational and development opportunity for veterans who want to start a new business.

There is no cost to veterans for the program and each year entrepreneur who is making huge progress receives the James Spoo Dreamer and Doer Award. The learning environment is a combination of online studies and in-person training.

Office of Veterans Business Development

The Office of Veterans Business Development on the SBA website supports veterans, women veterans, service-disabled veterans, and their family members to start and manage a successful business by providing business resources. Examples of business resources include:

• Veteran Institute for Procurement
• Women Veterans Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship
• Warrior Rising

Operation Boots to Business and Reboot

Operation Boots to Business and Reboot is a program by the SBA that is part of the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (TAP) to assist veterans and their families with business startup efforts. The course or program covers information on:

• business plans
• developing business concepts
• launching a product

The learning format consists of online and in-person requirements.

Veteran Entrepreneur Portal (VEP)

The Veteran Entrepreneur Portal (VEP) on the US Department of Veterans Affairs website provides resources for starting a vet-owned business such as training programs, business loans, and more. The VEP website features a Lender Match tool by the SBA that helps veterans find SBA-guaranteed loans. The lender match tool is great for veterans having a challenging time finding other business loans.

Saint Joseph's University Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans

Post-9/11 veterans can take advantage of the SJU Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans to train with mentors and receive ongoing mentorship for a year. The program provides the tools for veterans to increase their business skills and enhance their business plans.

The program includes online instruction, a residency requirement, and support services for a year after completing the program. The cost of the program includes only incidental travel costs.

Veterans Business Outreach Center

The Veterans Business Outreach Center offers counseling, training, workshops, and more to help veterans build and grow their businesses. Examples of outreach opportunities include:

• business plan preparation
• concept assessments
• entrepreneurial training and counseling