Academy of Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Academy Vision
The Academy of Entrepreneurship and Innovation will develop global leaders who excel in entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, cosmetology, and automotive technology.
Academy Mission
The Academy of Entrepreneurship and Innovation will develop students’ skills while nurturing their talent and drive to pursue careers in emerging high-growth fields.

Available Pathways
Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair
Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair
This pathway prepares students to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, service, and maintain all types of automobiles. It includes instruction in brake systems, electrical systems, engine performance, engine repair, suspension and steering, automatic and manual transmissions and drive trains, and heating and air conditioning systems.
National Career Cluster Alignment
The Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair Pathway is a part of the Transportation career cluster. Transportation, Distribution & Logistics Careers involve the planning, management, and movement of people, materials, and goods. This can be by road, pipeline, air, rail, or water. This cluster also includes related support services like transportation infrastructure planning, logistics services, and equipment and facility maintenance.
Pathway Courses
Level 1 Course: Maintenance & Light Repair I
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The Maintenance and Light Repair I (MLR I) course prepares students for entry into Maintenance and Light Repair II. Students explore career opportunities and requirements of a professional service technician. Content emphasizes beginning transportation service skills and workplace success skills. Students study safety, tools, equipment, shop operations, basic engine fundamentals, and basic technician skills.
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Aligned Industry Credential: OSHA 10 General Industry. The OSHA 10-Hour General Industry certification allows students to increase their value as entry-level workers by demonstrating mastery of the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards in the general industry workplace. The program also provides information regarding workers' rights and employer responsibilities. OSHA training and certification ensures that workers are more knowledgeable about workplace hazards and their rights.
Level 2 Course: Maintenance & Light Repair II
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The Maintenance and Light Repair II (MLR II) course prepares students for entry into Maintenance and Light Repair III. Students study automotive general electrical systems, starting and charging systems, batteries, lighting, and electrical accessories.
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Aligned Industry Credential: NC3 Snap-On Precision Measurements Instruments Certification. Earning this certification will enable a student to be able to show mastery of foundational knowledge in precision measurement instruments. Course content includes tape, rule, side caliper, gauge, angle, micrometer, and dial gauge measurement knowledge and applications. Students must pass all six subtests to fulfill the requirements of the promoted Precision Measurement Instruments Certification.
Level 3 Course: Maintenance & Light Repair III
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The Maintenance and Light Repair III (MLR III) course prepares students for entry into Maintenance and Light Repair IV. Students study and service suspension and steering systems and brake systems. Upon completing all of the Maintenance and Light Repair courses, students may enter automotive service industry as an ASE Certified MLR Technician.
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Aligned Industry Credential: NC3 Snap-On Precision Measurements Instruments Certification. Earning this certification will enable a student to be able to show mastery of foundational knowledge in precision measurement instruments. Course content includes tape, rule, side caliper, gauge, angle, micrometer, and dial gauge measurement knowledge and applications. Students must pass all six subtests to fulfill the requirements of the promoted Precision Measurement Instruments Certification.
Dual Credit and/or Dual Enrollment Opportunity in this Pathway
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Credit Type: Dual Credit
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Institution: TCAT - Tennessee College of Applied Technology
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Dual Credit- Credit by assessment. Students are enrolled in a high school course that is identified as a match with a post-secondary course. Students complete a college assessment at the end of the course to prove mastery of content. If the student passes the test, the student can use the college credit at that institution or request a transcript to use at a different institution.
Affiliated Career & Technical Student Organization: SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA improves the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of Framework skills that include personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics.
Cosmetology
Cosmetology
This pathway is designed to prepare students for careers within the personal care industry, including hairstylist, colorist, and nail technician. The courses in the program of study cover the safety procedures in salon environments, principles of hair design, nail structures, and chemistry of color application.
National Career Cluster Alignment
The Cosmetology Pathway is a part of the Human Services career cluster. The Human Services Career Cluster relates to human needs like counseling, mental health, personal care, family, community, and consumer services.
Pathway Courses
Level 1 Course: Cosmetology I
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Cosmetology I is the foundational course in the Human Services career cluster for students interested in learning more about becoming a cosmetologist. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will gain knowledge in the fundamental skills in both theory and practical applications of cosmetology practices. Laboratory facilities and experiences simulate those found in the cosmetology industry. Upon completion and acquisition of 1500 hours, students are eligible to take the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology Examination to attain a Tennessee Cosmetology License. Artifacts will be created for inclusion in a portfolio, which will continue throughout the full sequence of courses.
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Aligned Industry Credential: OSHA 10 General Industry. The OSHA 10-Hour General Industry certification allows students to increase their value as entry-level workers by demonstrating mastery of the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards in the general industry workplace. The program also provides information regarding workers' rights and employer responsibilities. OSHA training and certification ensures that workers are more knowledgeable about workplace hazards and their rights.
Level 2 Course: Cosmetology II
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Cosmetology II is the second course in the Cosmetology program of study intended to prepare students for careers in cosmetology by developing an understanding of efficient and safe work practices, nail procedures, hair design, and chemical services. Students will gain experience in practical applications of cosmetology practices. Laboratory facilities and experiences simulate those found in the cosmetology industry. Upon completion and acquisition of 1500 hours, students are eligible to take the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology Examination to attain a Tennessee Cosmetology License. Artifacts will be created for inclusion in a portfolio, which will continue throughout the full sequence of courses.
Level 3 Course: Cosmetology III
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Cosmetology III is the third course in the Cosmetology program of study intended to prepare students for careers in cosmetology by developing an understanding of efficient and safe work practices, salon business concepts and operations, advanced hair techniques and chemical services, and facial and skin care procedures. Students will gain experience in practical applications of cosmetology practices. Laboratory facilities and experiences simulate those found in the cosmetology industry. Upon completion and acquisition of 1500 hours, students are eligible to take the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology Examination to attain a Tennessee Cosmetology License. Artifacts will be created for inclusion in a portfolio, which will continue throughout the full sequence of courses.
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Aligned Industry Credential: Hair Braider Registration. The Hair Braider Registration is required to offer hair braiding services in Tennessee. This registration signifies sixteen hours of training in health, hygiene, and sanitation and is not equivalent to the Natural Hair Stylist License. In Tennessee high schools, this training must be provided by a licensed cosmetology instructor using materials chosen by the instructor, AND the awarding of the training certificate MUST be at the discretion of the licensed cosmetology instructor.
Dual Credit and/or Dual Enrollment Opportunity in this Pathway
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Credit Type: Dual Credit
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Institution: TCAT - Clock Hours - Cosmetology Program
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Dual Credit- Credit by assessment. Students are enrolled in a high school course that is identified as a match with a post-secondary course. Students complete a college assessment at the end of the course to prove mastery of content. If the student passes the test, the student can use the college credit at that institution or request a transcript to use at a different institution.
Affiliated Career and Technical Student Organization: SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA improves the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of Framework skills that include personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics.
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship
This pathway is designed to prepare students who want to start, own, and operate their own business. The purpose of the Entrepreneurship program of studies is to help young innovators at the secondary level begin to develop and equip themselves with the practical skills and knowledge needed to successfully launch and maintain small businesses as entrepreneurs.
National Career Cluster Alignment
The Entrepreneurship Pathway is a part of the Marketing, Distribution, and Logistics career cluster. The Marketing Cluster involves planning, managing, and performing marketing and sales activities to reach an organization’s objectives.
Pathway Courses
Level 1 Course: Introduction to Entrepreneurship
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In this course, students will develop strong foundational knowledge in key business and entrepreneurial principles, including types of business ownership management functions and styles, human resources, business operations, marketing, finance and budgeting, employment law, and ethics. Students will also develop skills in critical thinking, communication, and professionalism by exploring key aspects of leadership, the entrepreneurial mindset, diversity, teamwork, and conflict resolution. Upon completion of this course, students will be proficient in the foundations of entrepreneurship and small business ownership, business concepts and operations, finance and budgeting, marketing principles, leadership and management functions, and professional communications.
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Aligned Industry Credential: Microsoft Office Specialist - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook. Pass an exam in a specific Office program (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Outlook) to earn a Microsoft Office Specialist certification. Being certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist demonstrates a student has the skills needed to get the most out of Office.
Level 2 Course: Marketing and Management I: Principles
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Marketing and Management I: Principles focuses on the study of marketing concepts and their practical applications. Students will examine the risks and challenges that marketers face to establish a competitive edge in the sale of products and services. Topics covered include foundational marketing functions such as promotion, distribution, and selling, as well as coverage of economics fundamentals, international marketing, and career development. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will understand the economic principles, the marketing mix, and product development and selling strategies.
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Aligned Industry Credential: Southwest Airlines Professional Communications Certification. The Southwest Airlines Professional Communication Certification focuses on how to communicate effectively in the workplace by addressing topics, including time management, written and verbal communication, listening skills, and effectively managing diversity in the workplace.
Level 3 Course: Entrepreneurship
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Entrepreneurship is an applied knowledge course that begins with the discovery process of generating new business ideas. Students research local, national, and international social and economic trends and analyze the feasibility of their own proposed businesses, both from a market demand and revenue-producing standpoint. Based on their entrepreneurial endeavors, students will prepare, write, and revise a business plan. In preparation for the business plan, students will conduct market research, study ownership structures, evaluate risks, examine startup costs, determine essential vendors, and identify sources of capital and financing options. Students will also draft, refine, and rehearse entrepreneurship pitches developed from their business plans to present during course intervals and to give final presentations at the conclusion of the course. Upon conclusion of this course, proficient students will be able to articulate, and defend, elements of a full business plan for a new business.
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Aligned Industry Credential: Southwest Airlines Professional Communications Certification. The Southwest Airlines Professional Communication Certification focuses on how to communicate effectively in the workplace by addressing topics, including time management, written and verbal communication, listening skills, and effectively managing diversity in the workplace.
Dual Credit and/or Dual Enrollment Opportunity in this Pathway
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Credit Type: Dual Credit
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Institution: NSCC - Nashville State Community College
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Dual Credit- Credit by assessment. Students are enrolled in a high school course that is identified as a match with a post-secondary course. Students complete a college assessment at the end of the course to prove mastery of content. If the student passes the test, the student can use the college credit at that institution or request a transcript to use at a different institution.
Affiliated Career and Technical Student Organization: DECA
DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.

