Undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte can now match their entrepreneurial spirit with a new certificate designed to give them the skills to turn ideas into action.
In August, the Belk College of Business will introduce the Undergraduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship, which is available to non-business majors.
“Regardless of discipline, professionals who have the skill sets related to entrepreneurship are in high demand,” said Justin Webb, Belk Distinguished Professor of Business Innovation. “This new certificate aims to provide students across UNC Charlotte with entrepreneurial competencies to support their entrepreneurial thinking and action.”
A 2021 analysis from LendingTree ranked the Charlotte and Raleigh markets both among the top 5 metros in the nation to start a business. Also, North Carolina’s Secretary of State reported more new business creation filings in 2021 than in any other year.
The new certificate aims to provide the talent to support this growing area of the state’s economy, said Webb, who helped develop the certificate program.
Webb said the 12-credit hour program – which leverages the expertise of Belk College faculty who are among the top in the field of entrepreneurship and family business – will prepare students to become key players in entrepreneurial ventures and startups or to work as a project manager, a franchisee or as a non-profit leader.
Three new courses are being introduced as part of the program:
- Recognizing Entrepreneurial Opportunities (ENTR 3276)
- Experiential Entrepreneurship (ENTR 3278)
- Entrepreneurial Action and Organizing (ENTR 3279)
Students also will choose from several entrepreneurship electives offered at the University. Several new multidisciplinary courses also are being considered.
The program was developed with support from faculty and staff from the College of Arts + Architecture, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences's LEADS program, and from Ventureprise.
The program, which will be capped this fall at 40 students, is available to students regardless of major with a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA who will be at least a junior in fall 2022.
Students who complete the program will have the certificate listed on their transcripts.
The application period for this fall is Feb. 15 through March 15.
The program joins several entrepreneurship-focused programs offered through the Belk College, including a graduate certificate in entrepreneurship and innovation, the Entrepreneurial Decisions Speaker Series, and a concentration within the college’s nationally ranked professional Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.
About the Belk College of Business
Established in 1970, UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business is one of the Carolinas’ largest business schools, with more than 5,100 students, more than 100 full-time faculty, and an alumni network of more than 34,000. Accredited by AACSB International, the college is committed to building strong partnerships in the greater Charlotte region and beyond as North Carolina's urban research business school. Learn more about how the Belk College is driving business at belkcollege.charlotte.edu, and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.