Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship

The Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship provides the business training needed to launch and grow a successful enterprise.

Chicago now ranks second in the nation in the number of fast-growing small businesses. To immerse our students in the city's vibrant entrepreneurial community, we partner with startup hubs and connect students with internships.

The Path of an Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs don’t follow career paths — they make their own. At UIC Business, we understand the vision, drive and determination that makes entrepreneurs successful, and we teach students how to translate dreams into plans and how to access the resources needed to transform their goals into reality.

Students in the bachelor of entrepreneurship program gain knowledge of business planning, financing, marketing, management, information technology and consulting. You’ll learn how to apply this knowledge to new ventures, small enterprises and family businesses.

While some students launch their own business ventures or join family firms while they are students or immediately after graduation, the majority of entrepreneurs launch their ventures later in their careers.  Entrepreneurship majors are often hired into management training positions by employers who value entrepreneurial thinking.

For a full list of course offered, visit the Course Catalog.

Program Outcomes

With an entrepreneurship degree, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to:

  • Evaluate and write business venture plans
  • Identify and screen potential entrepreneurial opportunities
  • Analyze economic conditions
  • Unravel legal issues (establishing partnerships, incorporating, issuing IPOs, etc.)
  • Consult with business owners
  • Take the reins at a family business
  • Create and manage e-commerce companies

Explore Degree Requirements

Featured Courses Heading link

ENTR 310 Introduction to Entrepreneurship

Students learn about the traits and skills of successful entrepreneurs and begin articulating and vetting their own venture ideas.

ENTR 445 New Venture Planning

Students are immersed in the Lean Startup approach to developing, testing and refining business models.

ENTR 320 Entrepreneurship Internship Program

Cooperative education provides students opportunities to gain access to mentors and practical work experience in entrepreneurial settings.

Minors Heading link

 Suggested UIC Business offers minors to add an edge to your entrepreneurship degree.

Leadership

Effective management of people and projects is essential for all fields. This minor is a great choice for any student who aspires to leadership roles.

Supply Chain and Operations Management

This minor gives a great overview of running a business. From project management to supply chain management, you’ll learn the ins and outs of a company.

Program Faculty Heading link

UIC-SEA Social Enterprise Certification

UIC in partnership with the Social Enterprise Alliance, offers a UIC-SEA Social Enterprise Certificate. The 16-week certification program was developed to focus on equipping non-profits and entrepreneurs with the knowledge to build effective social enterprises. Click here for more information.

Faculty Researchers

Our faculty researchers study and consult on a range of interesting topics, everything from health and technology startups to new restaurants, social value creation and venture capital.

Top Employers

While some students launch their own business ventures or join family firms while they are students or immediately after graduation, the majority of entrepreneurs launch their ventures later in their careers.  Entrepreneurship majors are often hired into management training positions by employers who value entrepreneurial thinking.

Frequently Asked Questions Heading link

Successful entrepreneurs share the same traits as successful people in all professions, including strong work ethic, ability to adapt to change and ability to solve problems. Skills that distinguish successful entrepreneurs, which are taught at UIC Business, include the ability to think strategically and the ability to communicate venture plans effectively. Successful entrepreneurs also tend to have role models and mentors who are successful entrepreneurs. With this in mind, UIC Business proactively creates opportunities for students to interact with award-winning entrepreneurs.

In classes, you will learn proven methods for how to come up with solid ideas for new ventures, vet and elaborate on those ideas, and secure resources, including funding and partners. These methods can help you turn future ideas into ventures.  In addition, co-curricular activities and immersion in the business community you will help you develop long-term relationships with experienced mentors.

The short answer is, “Yes.” Most entrepreneurs launch business ventures after they have worked a few years in the corporate world. Their venture ideas come from seeing opportunities to add value within the industries in which they work. A degree in Entrepreneurship will prepare you for corporate jobs requiring a business degree but not requiring specialization. It will also prepare you for entry-level management jobs. Many corporations explicitly seek to hire employees who are “entrepreneurial,” or possess “entrepreneurial mindsets” or “entrepreneurship skills.”

A highly regarded international student organization that Entrepreneurship majors are encouraged to join is the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO).

Chicago has an extremely vibrant ecosystem for aspiring entrepreneurs that includes Incubators (e.g., 1871), Accelerators (e.g., TechStars), Interest Groups (e.g., Technori), Online Groups (e.g., Built in Chicago) and more.