Entrepreneurship

Being an entrepreneur isn't just about starting a business. It's about innovative thinking, taking calculated risks, and recognizing and seizing opportunities to solve problems and create value. Entrepreneurship is a new way of looking at the world. 

View the Curriculum Guide. 

Experiential Learning


Using a theory-to-practice model, our program provides students with new venture experiences in a protected environment. With a $5,000 investment from the School, you will conceive, launch, run, and exit a real micro-business.

You will also have the opportunity to conduct due diligence and invest real money in start-ups as part of our partnership with BlueTree Allied Angels, Pittsburgh's leading angel investor group.

In our distinctive capstone course, student teams will help struggling entrepreneurs with their new ventures or tackle entrepreneurial projects in existing firms.

Center for Excellence in Entrepreneurship


You will bring your ideas to life through the Center for Excellence in Entrepreneurship, which features an ideation suite and makerspace. 

Beyond the Classroom


You will engage with other entrepreneurial minds and build camaraderie through The Entrepreneurship Council, a student-run organization that hosts guest speakers and panel discussions. Our faculty will connect you with pitch competitions and unique consulting opportunities to refine your skills. 

Career Opportunities

Companies need Entrepreneurs. New ventures require individuals experienced in assessing a concept's viability and securing funding. Existing companies seek innovative employees to create new products, services, and opportunities. Small businesses need leaders with management and business insight to grow revenue and scale. 

Our recent graduates are launching new ventures, working at startup incubators and accelerators, and running crowdfunding campaigns. Others are hired by established companies like Amazon, IBM, and Dick's Sporting Goods, or emerging companies like SnapRetail and The Motherhood. 

Program Information

Our innovative entrepreneurship undergraduate program helps students develop an entrepreneurial mindset that benefits them in all areas of business-new ventures, corporations, government, and the nonprofit sector.

Program Type

Major, Minor

Degree

Bachelor's

School

Palumbo-Donahue School of Business

Duration

4-year

Required Credit Hours

72

From Our Alumni

Brianna Dzuricsko stands in Rockwell Hall's maker space.

"I am thankful my career has taken me from Duquesne University to quick leadership growth working with entrepreneurs. I am proud to be an alumnus of Duquesne University and believe my experiences equipped me to be the leader I am today."

Brianna Dzuricsko B'19, Executive Lead, Director of Development & Funding Programs for Main Street Ventures

Curriculum

View the Course Descriptions
  • ENTR 301 New Venture Enterprise I (3 credits)
  • ENTR 302 New Venture Enterprise II (3 credits)
  • ENTR 376 Entrepreneurship Fundamentals (3 credits)
  • ENTR 480 Financing, Valuing, and Exiting Business (3 credits)
  • ENTR 481W Guerilla Marketing (3 credits)
  • ENTR 485 Entrepreneurship Capstone (3 credits)
Entrepreneurship majors need 3 credits of electives.
  • MKTG 476 Product Innovation (3 credits)
  • ENTR 495 Independent Study (3 credits) 
  • ENTR 375 Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship (for non-majors) (3 credits)
  • ENTR 480 Financing, Valuing, and Exiting Businesses (3 credits)
  • ENTR 481W Guerrilla Marketing (3 credits)


And one of the following courses:
  • MKTG 476 Product Innovation (3 credits)
  • ENTR 495 Independent Study (3 credits)

Students are encouraged to meet with their Student Success Coach for more information.