Academics
Browse and discover entrepreneurial courses available at the University of Illinois! Some courses may have departmental restrictions.
Degrees and Minors
Innovation, Leadership, & Engineering Entrepreneurship BS Degree
The BS degree in Innovation, Leadership and Engineering Entrepreneurship (ILEE) program from the Technology Entrepreneur Center is intended for engineering students to better understand the innovative processes involved in identifying complex technical problems and creating, developing, and leading efforts to provide engineering solutions. A unique aspect of this degree is the inclusion of project-based experiential credits, whereby students must earn four and no greater than 16 credit hours of experiential learning. This is credit that is approved, supervised, and coordinated by an Illinois faculty member. At this time, the BS degree in ILEE is only available as a dual degree for College of Engineering students.
Leadership Studies Minor
This minor is available to all undergraduate students in good standing, and focuses on the theory of leadership and its application. Drawing from social psychology, philosophy, organizational development and administration, communication, and educational theory, it enhances understanding of the social and organizational processes that influence effective leadership across diverse contexts. This minor is administered academically by the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES).
Strategic Business Development & Entrepreneurship BS Degree
Gies College of Business students majoring in Strategic Business Development & Entrepreneurship are leaders, decision makers, and insightful thinkers who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo. Here those qualities will be supported and encouraged through a curriculum that trains you in the skills you need to develop and manage new businesses, either as independent startups or new business units within existing companies. With a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Business Development & Entrepreneurship through the Department of Business Administration, you will be prepared for a career as an innovator with an existing organization, a manager in a creativity-driven field, or a developer of new business ventures.
Certificates
Business Management for Engineers
The Business Management for Engineers certificate from the Technology Entrepreneur Center is a graduate level program designed for students with an engineering or technology background who aspire to rise in management, make higher level strategic business decisions, and hone leadership skills. This certificate will provide students with the tools necessary in proposing and managing initiatives and evaluating technology innovation from a business standpoint. These courses are applicable to students who are/want to be entrepreneurial in starting a company, working for a startup, or bringing business management skills into their career at an existing company.
Innovation Certificate
The Innovation Certificate from the Technology Entrepreneur Center is designed for undergraduate students whose interests and abilities are in entrepreneurship, innovative product design, and transformative technical products and services. The certificate consists of a set of courses that have been designed to encourage students to become more innovative and to generate ideas that have the potential to be breakthrough new products. These courses can be integrated into the typical student's curriculum. Students who wish to apply for the Innovation Certificate program must apply during their Freshman or Sophomore year.
Leadership Certificate
The Leadership Certificate program from the Illinois Leadership Center is a multi-semester program, combining classroom instruction and hands-on training, designed to provide you with a customized experience to help develop leadership skills in a way that integrates leadership education and personal reflection. You are matched with a Leadership Coach during the program. The program culminates with the creation of a Leadership Portfolio that documents your leadership growth, and could be beneficial during the job searching process. This certificate is available to all undergraduate and graduate students.
Strategic Technology Management
The Strategic Technology Management Certificate from the Technology Entrepreneur Center is a graduate level program for students with an engineering background who aspire to lead a venture, make higher level strategic technology/business decisions, and develop leadership skills. This certificate will help students understand how to incubate new ventures, and participate in the process of innovation and market adoption within corporate environments. These courses are applicable to students who are or want to be entrepreneurial in starting a company, working for a startup, or bringing strategic technology management skills into their career at an existing company.
Technology Commercialization
The Technology Commercialization Certificate from the Technology Entrepreneur Center is designed for undergraduate engineering and science students. However, students of any major may apply. With an emphasis on creativity and innovation, this certificate program provides students with the knowledge base needed to explore various options for commercializing technology, which is becoming increasingly important for engineers and scientists to understand. The courses allow students to gain a general understanding of the technology commercialization landscape, and how to apply that knowledge.