Entrepreneurship minor not just for business students

OU student Kristin Patterson would like to run a small business after graduation. Patterson doesn’t want to go into the corporate world, but she would like to know how to get her small business off the ground and have an idea of how to run it. Through the School of Business’s entrepreneurship minor, non-business students can gain experience in building a business.

Patterson, who is working toward a Bachelor of Integrative Studies degree, was intrigued by the entrepreneurship minor, which gave her business experience.

The entrepreneurship minor touches on all functional business areas in relation to a small business. Students take six three-credit courses in foundations, creativity and innovation, structure, management behavior, accounting, finance, marketing and strategy development. As a final project, students create a business plan for a possible new business. 

Patterson, who is one of the first students to complete the entrepreneurship minor that began in fall 2007, is developing a business plan for an organic, eco-friendly restaurant. She said she isn’t sure what type of business she’ll run in the future, but the business plan is realistic and it could end up being that.

“I thought the minor was interesting because it’s hands-on experience in starting your own business. I have enjoyed all the classes I have had. I think there are a lot of aspects of entrepreneurship and this minor allows non-business students to explore them,” Patterson said.

The classes are small in size. The only prerequisite is the appropriate class standing. Students can begin taking entrepreneurship classes as freshmen.

For more information on the entrepreneurship minor, visit the School of Business Administration Web site.