Daemen College : Academics & Research : Interdisciplinary Programs : Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship Minor

The Minor in Entrepreneurship is an Interdisciplinary Minor designed for all majors and all career paths. It is specifically geared to students in the liberal arts to encourage the development of the entrepreneurial spirit so that they have the tools to maintain a wide range of interests. Rather than focus exclusively on a business methodology, the Minor in Entrepreneurship encourages students to find ways to apply their interests in a variety of situations.

As part of the program, students will learn to:

Create opportunities which utilize their initiatives and their talents.
Solve problems within traditional job settings using creative thought processes.
Apply their knowledge acquired as part of their educational plan within the public sphere for profit, public service, or both.

While classes introduce students to an entrepreneurial skill set, significant focus is placed on the collaborative and creative setting. Students will have the opportunity to experiment with ideas, seek professional and experienced advice from mentors, and apply their ideas within a public context.

Requirements: (15 credits)

ENTR201 The Entrepreneurial Mindset (3)
ENTR301 The Entrepreneurial Skill Set (3)
ENTR401 Entrepreneur in Action (3)
6 credits: Students will propose the completion of 6 additional credits relevant to their area of interest. Proposed studies are subject to the approval of the Program Director.

Entrepreneurship Courses (ENTR)

ENTR 201: The Entrepreneurial Mindset (3)

Fulfills core competency: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving. This course identifies and analyzes the values, abilities, and personal attributes of successful entrepreneurs. The primary premise of the course is that all people have the inborn ability to be successful. Students will be guided through a self awareness of the skills and attributes common to successful entrepreneurs. Concepts to be explored include creativity and innovation, creative problem solving and brainstorming, opportunity recognition, networking, technology utilization, effective written, verbal, and non-verbal communication, new venture development and entrepreneurship as it relates to profit, non-profit, and social ventures.

ENTR 301: The Entrepreneurial Skill Set (3)

Fulfills core competency: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving. In this course students will learn and develop the skills which will enable them to transition an idea for an entrepreneurial activity to the point of implementation. Building off of ENTR 201, students will utilize techniques to affect creative thinking in combination with the practical skills for implementation. They will learn how to identify the critical tasks and hurdles in building an entrepreneurial venture (social action, business idea, or other venture), brainstorm creative solutions, and identify the necessary means for realization. These problems and their resulting solution will fall within the following categories: financing, planning, networking, and growing (or exiting the business). Students will learn how to develop their entrepreneurial leadership skills, how to form success of the activity. Prerequisite: ENTR 201. Offered as Needed.

ENTR 401: Entrepreneurship in Action (3)

This course is designed to explore entrepreneurs' business competencies by interconnecting ideas and objectives through practical experience on assessing, planning, implementing, measuring and controlling a new business venture.

Students will apply their knowledge of organizational management, best practices, problem solving, and strategic planning on real business scenarios. The course is relevant to entrepreneurs from all disciplines who want to develop a business venture in realistic terms, or to develop new ventures inside existing organizations. It is also relevant to students who are interested in pursuing social ventures, such as establishing non-profit organizations or businesses with a strong mission.Prerequisites: ENTR-201; ENTR-301. Offered as needed.