Entrepreneurship Minor
Whether you want to bring an entrepreneurial mindset into your career or you’re preparing to launch a startup, the entrepreneurship minor can help you achieve your goals.
Developed by
Gies College of Business | Grainger College of Engineering
Boldly prepare for your next chapter
Open to University of Illinois undergraduate students, the entrepreneurship minor will prepare you to innovate in any setting and tap into the entrepreneurial ecosystem of one of the world’s premier public universities.
Entrepreneurship skills transcend industries
Entrepreneurship isn’t just for founders. Skills in entrepreneurship are crucial for anyone who wants to find real solutions to society’s unmet needs. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability, and creativity are among the most sought-after skills in today’s labor market. In addition to helping you develop those skills, the entrepreneurship minor enables you to:
- Describe the components of the entrepreneurial process and essential business concepts related to entrepreneurship.
- Identify how the entrepreneurial process can be applied across diverse contexts, including startups, established organizations, and social ventures.
- Apply entrepreneurial skills to identify opportunities, design and prototype solutions, gather user feedback, and refine ideas through iterative approaches.
- Evaluate how entrepreneurship both shapes and is shaped by larger societal forces.
How to declare the entrepreneurship minor
Be sure to consult with your advisor before declaring your minor. To declare this minor, you must complete a minor declaration form.
Entrepreneurship is for everyone
Developed by Gies College of Business and The Grainger College of Engineering, the entrepreneurship minor is designed to draw on the breadth of expertise and resources across the University of Illinois. The minor is intentionally designed to be interdisciplinary, with elective courses in economics, history, food science, arts, philosophy, advertising, Spanish, and more.
With more than 70 elective courses to choose from, you’re likely to find options that fit your interests and your specific career goals.
Requirements
This minor is open to all undergraduate students at the University of Illinois.* There are no prerequisites for the core courses or for many of the electives. In addition to completing two required, core courses from Gies College of Business and The Grainger College of Engineering, you can round out the minor with offerings from your home college or other colleges across campus. This minor is a great gateway to other parts of campus!
* If you are a Strategy, Innovation & Entrepreneurship (SIE) major at Gies Business, you are not eligible for the entrepreneurship minor.
Course Requirements
Students will complete 16 credit hours consisting of:
2 Required Core Courses:
11 Elective Credits:
- Choose from more than 70 elective courses
NOTE: At least 6 credit hours must come from 300- or 400-level courses. Depending on demand and scheduling, we may not be able to guarantee access to specific classes.
Entrepreneurship Minor FAQs
I am a current undergraduate student. Can I pursue the entrepreneurship minor?
Yes! If you are an undergraduate student at Illinois, you may declare the entrepreneurship minor. You must complete a minor declaration form to add a minor. It is recommended, but not required, that you apply before the end of your sophomore year so that you will receive notifications about new courses or entrepreneurial program offerings.
If you are a Strategy, Innovation & Entrepreneurship (SIE) major at Gies Business, you are not eligible for the entrepreneurship minor.
I cannot get into a certain class. Can you open a seat for me so I can register?
No. At this time, seats are not specifically set aside for this minor. With more than 70 electives offered, we are confident that you will find an offering to fit your needs.
Should I take the courses in a specific order?
No sequence of classes is expected. Take the classes in the order that works best for your schedule.
How do I declare the minor?
You must complete a minor declaration form to add a minor. It is recommended, but not required, that you apply before the end of your sophomore year so that you will receive notifications about new courses or entrepreneurial program offerings.
You can find more about pursuing an undergraduate minor here: https://studentsuccess.illinois.edu/advisor-resources/advising-illinois/pursuing-an-undergraduate-minor/
Who do I contact with questions about the entrepreneurship minor?
You should first ask your home department advisor, and if they aren’t able to answer your questions, please email us at eshipminor@illinois.edu.
Are there prerequisites for enrolling in entrepreneurship minor courses?
There are no prerequisites for the core courses or for many of the electives, but you should check the course catalog for information on any prerequisites or registration restrictions for specific electives.
What is the difference between the entrepreneurship minor, the Strategy, Innovation & Entrepreneurship (SIE) major at Gies Business, the Landuyt Center for Entrepreneurship certificates, and the Innovation, Leadership, and Engineering Entrepreneurship (ILEE) B.S. dual degree?
These are all great options to consider, with different requirements and outcomes.
- The entrepreneurship minor requires 16 credit hours (including 5 hours of core coursework and a minimum of 11 hours of elective coursework) and is listed on your transcript. This minor is open to all undergraduate students on campus (except students currently in the SIE major).
- The SIE Bachelor of Science requires 28 credit hours (including 13 hours of core coursework and 15 hours of electives). This major is specifically for students admitted to Gies College of Business. The SIE major is broader than entrepreneurship alone, preparing students to lead innovation and drive strategic growth across industries.
- The Landuyt Center certificates require students to take one or two core classes and a combination of elective courses or co-curricular experiences and are not listed on your transcript. Landuyt Center certificates are open to all students with options for undergraduate and graduate level students.
- The ILEE Bachelor of Science dual degree requires 31 additional hours and you earn a second diploma. The B.S. in ILEE degree is available to students pursuing an engineering bachelor's degree. Students must complete all requirements specified for their primary engineering degree and the ILEE degree for a minimum of 158 credit hours.