The Missing “Social” in Social Enterprise Education in the United States

This research critically examines social entrepreneurship and social enterprise curricula in the United States, addressing the following questions: What curricular models are used to educate future social entrepreneurs? To what degree do social enterprise programs reflect what the literature deems to be important aspects of social enterprise values and outcomes? And finally, what curricula should exist to enhance these values and outcomes? Methods include analysis of program descriptions, courses offered, and course syllabi of social entrepreneurship and enterprise programs. We find that the programs reviewed reflect largely performative and managerialist values and have little focus on social aspects of social enterprise, such as building social capital, community organizing, or political engagement. We conclude by suggesting changes to curricula that highlight aspects important to social enterprise values, outcomes, and democratic governance.