Cochise Newsroom

Participants can earn three credits towards a Cochise College entrepreneurship certificate, saving nearly $300 in tuition. 

 

For entrepreneurs in Cochise County, completing a free business training program can now put them closer to earning a college certificate. 

 

Cochise College has approved college credit for participants who successfully complete the DreamBuilder entrepreneurship program through the college's Small Business Development Center (SBDC). 

 

DreamBuilder graduates can receive three credits for the BUS 183: Starting a Business course through the college's prior learning assessment process. The credit applies directly toward the 18-credit Entrepreneurship/ Small Business Management Certificate, leaving DreamBuilder graduates with 15 additional credits to complete. The certificate can be completed in less than a year. 

 

The new pathway can also save entrepreneurs money. Cochise College's in-state tuition for the 2026-2027 academic year is $96 per credit. Three credits normally cost about $288 in tuition.

 

DreamBuilder graduates can receive those credits at no cost through the prior learning assessment process. 

 

"For entrepreneurs balancing a business, work, family, the benefit is simple: They do not have to repeat the learning they already completed," said Acacia Barnett, director of SBDC at the college. "DreamBuilder participants have already invested time in learning how to develop a business plan, understand their market and make sound business decisions."

 

DreamBuilder is a free five-week program designed for people interested in starting or growing a business. 

 

Cochise College's prior learning assessment process recognizes college-level knowledge and skills acquired outside a traditional classroom. "By connecting DreamBuilder to an academic certificate, Cochise College is creating a more direct bridge between workforce training and higher education," added Cullen Scarborough, dean of workforce development. "When workforce training and learning meet college standards, finding ways to recognize it can save students time, reduce costs and help them reach the next degree or certificate sooner."

 

The pathway also strengthens the connection between small business development, workforce education and economic opportunity in Cochise County. Entrepreneurs who launch and grow businesses locally can create jobs, provide services and contribute to the region's economy.

 

"Since April 2026, DreamBuilder Facilitator Kim Ryan has offered seven DreamBuilder cohorts across Sierra Vista, Bisbee, Benson, and Fort Huachuca, expanding access to entrepreneurship education throughout Cochise County," added Barnett. "Additional cohorts are planned for Douglas and Willcox later this year."

 

To learn more about the DreamBuilder program and the Cochise College Small Business Development Center, visit cochise.edu/sbdc.