Learn to be your own boss, enrich our world, and shape the future of the Creative Economy!
Students who minor in Entrepreneurship will dive deep into the world of start-ups, small businesses, and solo-preneurship within the Creative Economy. This minor will prepare students to form their own studio, office, firm or organization; develop their work, products or services; and market themselves for visibility, recognition, and success.
As part of Otis' Your Creative Future Initiative, the Entrepreneurship Minor is funded in part by a private foundation. From 2019-2021 Otis Alumni received free tuition to take Entrepreneurship classes through cross registration with Otis Extension. Students in the inaugural graduating class of 2021 participated in paid internships and competed for substantial start-up funds. See their work here.
Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the Entrepreneurship Minor will be able to
• Use quantitative and qualitative analytical and critical thinking skills to evaluate information, solve problems, and make sound business entrepreneurial decisions.
• Express creative and innovative entrepreneurial pursuits in visual, written and oral forms.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the legal, social, ethical and environmental impacts of various art and design business models and practices.
• Demonstrate familiarity with different leadership theories and identify their own leadership style, tendencies, and potential areas for growth and improvement.
• Develop and launch innovative, sustainable, and viable creative businesses.
Eligibility
The Entrepreneurship minor is open to Animation, Game and Entertainment Design, Fashion Design, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration, Product Design, and Toy Design majors. Because of their major curricular requirements Environmental Design majors will only be approved to enroll on a case-by-case basis. Students must be on track in their major and in good academic standing, with fewer than 6 credits behind and a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
Required Courses
| ENTR301 | * Introduction to Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| MATH137 | * Mathematics of a Start Up | 3 |
| LIBS317 | * Social Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| LIBS318 | ** Business Communications | 3 |
| ENTR401 | ** Launchpad | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
* These courses have no pre-requisites and are open to all students, whether or not they are enrolled in the minor.
** These courses must be taken as co-requisites.
Course Descriptions are listed in the Interdisciplinary Studies and Liberal Arts and Sciences sections of the Course Catalog.
Download one of the following PDFs to see how the Entrepreneurship minor fits into your chosen major:
For students who entered Otis College as Foundation students in 2020-21 (class of 2024):
Entrepreneurship Minor Academic Plan 20-21
For students who entered Otis College as Foundation students in 2021-22 (class of 2025):
Entrepreneurship Minor Academic Plan 21-22
For students who entered Otis College as Foundation students in 2022-23 (class of 2026):
Entrepreneurship Minor Info Sheet 2022-23 (see Degree Works for Academic Plan)
For students who entered Otis College as Foundation students in 2023-24 (class of 2027):
Entrepreneurship Minor Info Sheet 2023-24 (see Degree Works for Academic Plan)
Learn more about Interdisciplinary Studies, eligibility requirements, and the application process.