Minor in Entrepreneurship (For Non-BBA Majors)
Hours: 21 On-Campus Online
About
Entrepreneurship is a dynamic field that transforms creativity into actionable business opportunities. The Minor in Entrepreneurship (For Non-BBA Majors) at Fort Hays State University equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to think and act entrepreneurially. Through a combination of discovery and hands-on learning, students explore how entrepreneurs create value in various settings, including startups, growth-stage ventures, family-owned businesses, established organizations, and social enterprises.
This minor prepares students for diverse roles, whether as founders, employees, or key stakeholders such as advisors, investors, or service providers. The curriculum includes foundational courses in accounting, business law, and management principles, along with four specialized entrepreneurship courses. Together, these courses provide students with the tools to launch new ventures or drive innovation as intrapreneurs within existing organizations.
Why pursue a Minor in Entrepreneurship (For Non-BBA Majors) at Fort Hays State University?
Entrepreneurs drive disruptive innovation, challenge conventional thinking, and create transformative solutions that can reshape organizations and industries. The Minor in Entrepreneurship (For Non-BBA Majors) offers a well-rounded curriculum that blends theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on experience. The program emphasizes creativity, innovation, and real-world problem-solving, encouraging students to explore and develop entrepreneurial solutions across a range of contexts.
Students gain valuable experience through experiential learning opportunities, mentorship from seasoned faculty and alumni entrepreneurs, and access to extensive networking resources. Although the entrepreneurial path can be demanding, it offers the potential for independence, meaningful innovation, and significant financial rewards for those with the right mindset and skills. This minor complements a wide range of majors, enhancing career prospects by equipping students with essential entrepreneurial competencies applicable across many fields.
Who is this program for?
This minor is designed for students from all academic disciplines who wish to enhance their career prospects by developing entrepreneurial skills. It is particularly valuable for those looking to complement their primary field of study with a solid foundation in entrepreneurship.
- Aspiring entrepreneurs
- Business students seeking to enhance their career prospects
- Individuals interested in innovation and new venture creation
- Students seeking to complement their major with entrepreneurial skills
- Future business leaders aiming to develop a robust entrepreneurial mindset
Real-World Applications
Entrepreneurs play a pivotal role in driving real-world changes across industries by identifying market gaps, leveraging technology, and developing innovative solutions that transform entire sectors. They lead positive changes in today’s business landscape by embracing disruptive technologies and prioritizing customer experience. The Minor in Entrepreneurship (For Non-BBA Majors) equips graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle societal challenges and deliver impactful solutions effectively.
Stay Ahead of the Curve
New and small businesses are key drivers of employment growth in the United States and globally, with entrepreneurs playing a vital role in advancing social, environmental, and economic well-being. Fort Hays State University equips students with practical and distinctive skills that unlock exciting career opportunities. Delivered by experienced faculty and successful alumni entrepreneurs, the program offers a forward-thinking curriculum designed to give students a competitive edge and prepare them to thrive in the dynamic landscape of modern entrepreneurship.
Hands-on Activities
The minor emphasizes experiential learning through a "learning by doing" approach. Students actively participate in faculty-led discussions, collaborate in teams, develop business models, engage with partners and customers, and assess the feasibility of launching new ventures or initiatives. The skills and knowledge gained are essential for pursuing innovative opportunities within any business or organization.
Additionally, students have an opportunity to participate in entrepreneurship competitions, where they present their ideas to panels of experts and receive valuable feedback. These experiences further enhance learning, build confidence, and sharpen entrepreneurial skills.
What You’ll Learn:
- Problem-solving
- Ideation
- Business law fundamentals
- Management principles
- Opportunity development and creativity
- New venture creation
How You’ll Learn:
- Gain hands-on experience
- Collaborate in team settings
- Benefit from faculty mentorship
- Develop solutions for real-world challenges
- Networking with entrepreneurs
The comprehensive curriculum provides students with a strong foundation in entrepreneurial principles. Comprising seven courses totaling 21 credit hours, the program begins with a hands-on learning experience that introduces the fundamentals of starting a business. Guided by experienced professors specializing in entrepreneurship and management, students gain valuable insights into the key components of building a successful enterprise and developing the skills needed to excel in any entrepreneurial endeavor.
ACCT 203: Principles of Accounting I
This course focuses on accounting as a means of communicating financial information about a business, emphasizing the basic concepts used to prepare and interpret external financial statements.
MGT 301: Management Principles
This course introduces organizations and examines how individuals relate to core management functions, planning, organizing, leading, and controlling, while surveying the evolution of management theory.
ENTR 301: Discovering Entrepreneurship
This foundational course introduces entrepreneurship as a mindset and process centered on identifying and pursuing opportunities. It covers opportunity evaluation in for-profit and non-profit contexts and personal development. It is a prerequisite for subsequent courses and open to all students, with recommended prior or concurrent courses.
Discover the full Minor in Entrepreneurship (For Non-BBA Majors) course listing by visiting the Academic Catalog.
Graduates gain access to diverse career opportunities suited for individuals with innovative mindsets and a passion for creating and managing businesses. Below is a brief overview of potential career paths in entrepreneurship:
Business Ownership and Management
Business ownership and management encompass roles such as those of small business owners, franchise operators, startup founders, and family business managers. Success relies on effective leadership, strategic planning, and operational expertise to drive growth and ensure sustainability.
Corporate Entrepreneurship
Corporate entrepreneurship fosters innovation within established organizations. Roles such as intrapreneurs, innovation managers, and entrepreneurs-in-residence focus on developing new ideas, strategies, and products to drive growth and maintain competitiveness.
Consulting and Advisory Roles
Consulting and advisory roles involve providing expert guidance in areas such as strategy, finance, and marketing. Consultants help businesses improve operations, assess financial performance, and enhance brand positioning through data-driven insights and strategic recommendations.
The Best Value in Higher Education Anywhere
Fort Hays State University prides itself on quality education at an affordable price. Students in this program can expect to pay approximately $3,055.95* (on-campus) or $3,975.75* (online) per semester.
*Estimated cost based on 15 credit hours at the Undergrad resident/regional tuition rate ($203.73/credit hour) for on-campus courses, or the FHSU Online Undergrad tuition rate (265.05/credit hour) for online courses. Actual price may vary depending on course load and location. Tuition and Fees are subject to change as they are approved by the Kansas Board of Regents each year.
Ready for the next step?
Our faculty would be excited to talk to you about how our department programs can help you explore your interests and prepare you for a variety of rewarding careers.
Related Programs
Fort Hays State University offers a range of related programs that complement the Minor in Entrepreneurship (For Non-BBA Majors). These programs enable students to expand their business knowledge and specialize in areas that align with their career goals. Exploring these options can enrich the overall educational experience and support long-term professional growth.
- Minor in Business Administration (for Non-B.B.A. Majors Only)
- Minor in Management
- Minor in Marketing
- Minor in Finance
- Minor in International Business
Yes, the program includes access to entrepreneurship faculty, bi-monthly live Zoom meetings (Dialogues with Doers), field trips to local businesses, networking opportunities with alumni entrepreneurs, and the chance to present business plans at competitions.
Students must be in good academic standing at FHSU and complete any prerequisite courses required for advanced entrepreneurship courses.
This minor can enhance degree pursuits by adding valuable entrepreneurial knowledge and skills to improve students' career pursuits.
Associated programs include minors in Business Administration, Management, Marketing, Finance, and International Business.
Information about the Department of Management
The Department of Management at FHSU offers both on-campus and online programs designed to prepare students to lead teams and manage resources effectively in today’s dynamic business environment. With a strong emphasis on leadership development, the programs equip students with the skills needed to handle daily operational challenges and engage in long-term strategic planning.
The curriculum focuses on critical areas such as decision-making, solution-oriented thinking, and team leadership, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the demands of modern management roles. Each program is tailored to align with students' personal and professional goals, providing the tools necessary to succeed across a wide range of industries.
Through hands-on learning experiences, personalized mentorship, and a comprehensive academic approach, students gain the confidence and capabilities to thrive in competitive business settings. The department’s dedicated faculty and staff are committed to supporting each student’s journey, offering guidance and encouragement every step of the way.
While earning a degree remains the primary focus, college life offers much more than classroom learning. Students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities that foster leadership skills, deepen their understanding of their chosen careers, and provide opportunities to make a positive impact in their communities.
- Alpha Kappa Psi: Alpha Kappa Psi is a professional co-ed business fraternity dedicated to developing principled business leaders. Founded in 1904 by four students at New York University, the organization has grown into the oldest and largest co-ed business fraternity in the world, with over 298,000 initiated members across 219 universities in four countries.
With a strong network of alumni, Alpha Kappa Psi provides members with valuable professional connections and access to opportunities at some of the world’s most successful companies. The fraternity emphasizes leadership, professionalism, and career readiness, preparing members for lifelong success in the business world.
The Zeta Pi Chapter at FHSU, chartered in 1965, remains an active and engaged part of the campus community. Students interested in joining are encouraged to connect with the chapter’s leadership for more information. - The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): The SHRM student chapter at FHSU provides valuable resources, industry best practices, and networking opportunities for students interested in human resource management. The organization serves as an excellent platform for those pursuing careers in HR, leadership, management, training, and organizational development.
Through SHRM, students gain exposure to real-world HR practices, connect with professionals in the field, and enhance their academic and career development. Students interested in joining or seeking more information are encouraged to contact Dr. LeAnn Brown, the chapter’s faculty advisor.
- Certificate
- Minor
- Bachelor's
- On-Campus
- Online
