Business Minor
Elevate your degree with business expertise
Want to make a big impact in art, science, agriculture, or medicine? Learn how to turn ideas into action by stepping into a business mindset.
Strong business expertise signals to future employers that you understand how companies operate and know how to innovate despite modern business challenges. With a business minor from a top business school, you’ll be prepared to navigate future work and life challenges and stand out in the job market.
Have a question about the business minor?
Eligibility
Any Illinois student who has earned 30 credit hours can declare a business minor. To do so, you must complete a minor declaration form.
The business minor is available only to students who are not currently enrolled in a major hosted by Gies Business. If you are a current Gies Business student, check out one of these minor programs:
Minor Declaration Form
Complete this form to declare your business minor.
Coursework
In the business minor, you will complete four required online core courses and choose a minimum of two additional electives. This broad exposure to the innovative curriculum at Gies Business will help you develop a strong foundation and prepare you to bring a business mindset to your future career.
Get on the fast track to graduate school
The simplified application process for a master's degree at Gies Business is available for all on-campus students and alumni. No matter your background, a quality business education will put your career on the fast-track.
Where to learn more
Check back later this summer for updated details on:
- Business Minor Informational Workshops
- Business Minor 1:1 Advising
- Drop-in Express Advising
Fall 2026
Advising information is coming soon. For any questions, email the business minor team at busminor@business.illinois.edu.
A business mindset for any major
Hear from students across campus about how the Gies Business Minor has helped them build business knowledge, broaden their perspectives, and gain an edge in the classroom and beyond.
“As a design student, understanding how decisions are made in business has helped shape the way I think as a designer. Being able to analyze markets and understand user needs is fundamental to product design, and the Gies Business Minor has given me a broader perspective on how to create products that improve people’s lives."
“The most valuable part of the Gies Business Minor has been how applicable everything feels to real-world experiences. Whether through group projects, case studies, or class discussions, I’ve been able to connect what I’m learning directly to my internships and leadership roles. The business minor has also helped me feel more prepared for professional settings where understanding business strategy is key.”
"As an I/O Psychology major interested in HR and organizational strategy, I wanted to better understand the business context behind people decisions. The business minor has helped me connect what I have learned about motivation, leadership, and workplace behavior to financial performance, competitive strategy, and operational constraints."
Business Minor FAQs
Who do I contact with questions about the business minor?
Email us at busminor@business.illinois.edu
Should I register for online or in-person course sections?
Students must enroll in online sections of the core business minor courses (ACCY 200, BADM 310, BADM 320 and FIN 221). If there is an in-person section only offered for any of the approved electives then Business minors are welcome to take the in-person section. Utilizing online platforms expands the enrollment capacities of business minor courses, but enrollment capacity is not unlimited and is subject to change.
I am a current undergraduate student. Can I pursue the business minor?
If you are an undergraduate student at Illinois with at least 30 earned credit hours and not currently enrolled in any Gies Business major programs, you may declare a business minor. You must complete a minor declaration form to add a business minor.
If you are a Gies Business student, you are not eligible for the business minor, but you can enroll in one of the College’s other minor programs.
Are there prerequisites for enrolling in business minor courses?
The FIN 221 is a required course for the business minor. Before enrolling in FIN 221, you must be able to prove successful completion of ECON 102 or ECON 103, or an equivalent off-campus transfer course.
Select business minor elective courses have BADM 310 or BADM 320 as prerequisites. Check with your advisor to see if you should complete any of these courses before declaring a business minor.
Discover more about the Gies Business Minor
Explore program requirements, courses, and opportunities within the business minor. Get quick answers and guidance tailored to your next steps.