Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor

Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, University Interdisciplinary Programs

24 credits

Introduction

The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor is an interdisciplinary program designed to provide the knowledge, skills and capabilities to successfully engage in entrepreneurship and innovation behaviors in new and existing organizations having varied purposes (economic and non-economic). Students will learn how to recognize opportunities/needs and link them to innovative approaches while bringing resources and people together in an organizational context to effect desired change. Students will learn about organizational contexts with both economic and non-economic purposes and have the opportunity to gain increasingly deep experiences in entrepreneurship and innovation related to their major field of study.

Why Consider an Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor?

The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor provides Western’s diverse student population the opportunity to gain related knowledge and skills and then experientially apply them in a variety of domestic and international classroom and real-world contexts. The minor takes the perspective that this knowledge and skills can be taught to everybody willing to learn, rather than those born with some special traits. While the minor is highly useful for those desiring to start and grow their own ventures, it is also valuable for those who desire to be entrepreneurs and drive innovative change inside existing organizations. The minor will allow students the opportunity to link entrepreneurship and innovation to their major areas of study, creating a powerful combination for success in the professional world.

Contact Information

Institute Director Art Sherwood 360-650-4146 Arthur.Sherwood@wwu.edu		Associated Director Danica Kilander 360-650-3230 Danica.Kilander@wwu.edu
Administrative Assistant Kristine Baker 360-650-4146 Kristine.Baker@wwu.edu

Sample Careers

The minor enhances a student’s potential success in their chosen area of study and desired area of work impact. Careers may include any related to a student’s major area of study, venture start-ups and growth, work in a variety of existing organizations with varied purposes that are seeking entrepreneurship and innovation including corporations, non-governmental organizations and the government.

Major/Career Resources

www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Students must complete eight credits of ENTR 246 with an average grade of 2.50 or higher, and fill out the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor application form. Open to all WWU students.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors. A GPA of 2.50 or above is required in courses for the minor.