Program Contact: Robert Yawson​  203-582-5023

Entrepreneurship is an important driver of growth for both the national and international economy. Students are prepared to think innovatively, develop new ideas for existing businesses and create new business ventures. However, entrepreneurship is even more than the creation of a new business venture. Entrepreneurship encompasses seeking opportunity, identifying and acknowledging risk and, most importantly, persisting until the idea becomes reality. Entrepreneurial thinking can be applied to all contexts and organizations. At Quinnipiac University, we facilitate the development of an entrepreneurial mindset and attitude in our students; this enables them to apply their unique attributes and skills to realize innovative ideas in a variety of settings including for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, new and existing ventures, and business and non-business activities. The development of an entrepreneurial mindset creates career opportunities for students whether starting their own business or going to work in a large or small organization.

The Entrepreneurship and Innovation program includes a rigorous and rounded academic curriculum complemented by extracurricular and service learning involvement in the region’s business activity. The program develops entrepreneurial thinking, establishes a foundation in sound business practices along with an appreciation and understanding of the arts and sciences, and hones the skills necessary for successful entrepreneurship and small business management. This is accomplished through a distinct and innovative curriculum.

The program is highly experiential, allowing students to work on team and individual projects to develop and improve businesses and business ideas. Students compete in regional and national business plan competitions and interact with various agencies and financial institutions supportive of entrepreneur and small business success. The program includes local, regional and national companies and small business owners sharing their expertise and experiences as an important element in the program’s educational process.

The BS in Entrepreneurship and Innovation requires a minimum of 122 credits as outlined here. 

Please see footnotes for additional information. 

University Curriculum46
Business Core Curriculum28
Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management Core
ENT 210Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinking and Practice3
ENT 250Idea Validation and Business Model Development3
ENT 310Creativity and Innovation Management3
ENT 340Opportunity Recognition and Negotiation3
or IB 324 Negotiating Internationally
ENT 420Business Launch3
or IB 401 International Strategy and Business Plan
Select three of the following electives (9 credits):9
The department encourages students to consider a Global Entrepreneurship theme: IB 311, IB 335, IB 352
Entrepreneurship and Innovative Responses to the Coronavirus
The Business of Music
Business Accelerator
Special Topics in Entrepreneurship
Small Business Marketing
Entrepreneurial Finance
Family or Small Business Financing
Social Entrepreneurship
Small and Family Business
Managing the Family or Small Business
Business Plan Competition
Practicum in Entrepreneurship
Field Projects
Introduction to Doing Business in the European Union
Special Topics in International Business
International Marketing
Introduction to Global Entrepreneurship
International Finance
International Management
The Stories of Business
Service Operations Management
Supply Chain Analytics
Procurement and Sourcing
Marketing Research
European Politics
International Business Immersion
Business Internship
Open Electives24
Total Credits122

For those students interested in an ENT/IB double major please consult with the department chair for information about course requirements.       

This is a recommended plan of study as course plans are subject to change. Course availability, potential transfer credits, and course prerequisite completion may influence the final course schedule for each program. 

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
FYS 101 First-Year Seminar (UC Foundations Inquiry) 3
EN 101 Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing (UC Writing 1) 3
SB 101 The Business Environment (Business Core Curriculum) 3
CIS 101 Introduction to Applied Ai and Business Analytics 3
MA 170 Probability and Data Analysis (UC Math) 3
 Credits15
Spring Semester
EN 102 Academic Writing and Research (UC Writing 2) 3
EC 111 Principles of Microeconomics (Business Core and UC Social Science) 3
EC 272 Advanced Applied Statistics 3
Business Core 3
Business Core 3
 Credits15
Second Year
Fall Semester
ENT 210 Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinking and Practice 3
EC 112 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
Business Core 3
Business Core 3
Business Core 3
 Credits15
Spring Semester
ENT 250 Idea Validation and Business Model Development 3
Business Core 3
Business Core 3
Business Core 3
UC Disciplinary Inquiry 3
SB 250 Career Planning and Development 1
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall Semester
ENT 310 Creativity and Innovation Management 3
ENT Elective 3
UC Disciplinary Inquiry 3
UC Personal Inquiry 3
UC Personal Inquiry 3
 Credits15
Spring Semester
ENT 340
Opportunity Recognition and Negotiation
or Negotiating Internationally
3
ENT Elective 3
UC Disciplinary Inquiry NS + Lab 4
UC Personal Inquiry 3
Open Elective 3
 Credits16
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
ENT 420
Business Launch
or International Strategy and Business Plan
3
SB 420 Strategic Management Integrated Seminar 3
Open Elective 3
Open Elective 3
Open Elective 3
 Credits15
Spring Semester
ENT Elective 3
Open Elective 3
Open Elective 3
Open Elective 3
Open Elective 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits122

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate with this degree will demonstrate the following competencies:

  1. Business Knowledge: Students apply basic business theories and concepts to understand and solve business problems.
  2. Business Analytics: Students effectively gather, assess and utilize data to understand, improve and communicate business decisions using Excel and other analytical tools.
  3. Communication: Students communicate business ideas effectively through written communications, oral communications and presentations, and digital media.
  4. Critical Thinking: Students utilize information and research findings to analyze problems and determine appropriate solutions.
  5. Business Ethics: Students apply ethical frameworks to evaluate situations and determine appropriate solutions.
  6. Cultural Adaptability: Students recognize and apply knowledge of diversity within and across individuals and groups.
  7. Professionalism: Students exhibit professional behavior, including a strong work ethic in their classes, in their interactions with faculty, staff and colleagues, and in their team assignments.

Admission Requirements: School of Business

The requirements for admission into the undergraduate School of Business programs are the same as those for admission to Quinnipiac University.

Admission to the university is competitive, and applicants are expected to present a strong college prep program in high school. Prospective first-year students are strongly encouraged to file an application as early in the senior year as possible, and arrange to have first quarter grades sent from their high school counselor as soon as they are available.

For detailed admission requirements, including required documents, please visit the Admissions page of this catalog.

Seamless Transfer Agreement with Gateway Community College (GCC), Housatonic Community College (HCC) and Norwalk Community College (NCC)

Under this Transfer Agreement, GCC, HCC and NCC graduates will be guaranteed admission into a bachelor’s degree program with third year (junior) status at Quinnipiac University on the condition that they: 

  • Graduate with an associate in arts, an associate in science in business, College of Technology engineering science, nursing or an allied health degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (this may be higher in specific programs). 
  • Satisfy all other Quinnipiac University transfer admission requirements and requirements for intended major.

Suggested Transfer Curriculum for BS in Entrepreneurship and Innovation

A minimum of 60 credits is required for transfer into the BS in Entrepreneurship and Innovation program. Below is a sample plan of study for the first two years prior to matriculation at Quinnipiac University.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
English I 3
Introduction to Business 3
Microeconomics 3
Business Statistics 3
History Elective 3
 Credits15
Spring Semester
English II 3
Macroeconomics 3
Financial Accounting 3
Information Systems 3
Marketing 3
 Credits15
Second Year
Fall Semester
Managerial Accounting 3
Finance 3
International Business 3
Management 3
Art Elective 3
 Credits15
Spring Semester
Operations Management 3
Business Law 3
Science Elective with Lab 4
Social Science Elective 3
Additional Elective (Business or other) 3
 Credits16
 Total Credits61