Entrepreneurship Program

Entrepreneurship Program

TAKE YOUR AMBITION TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH A CONCENTRATION IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP 

The Entrepreneurship program is a concentration available to Saint Mary’s students who are pursuing a degree in Business Administration. As part of the Entrepreneurship concentration program, these students go beyond the core business courses required for their major - taking four additional electives that cover everything from seeking funding and strategically framing new enterprises, to managing and marketing small businesses. Our faculty are dedicated to instilling students with the necessary wisdom, skills, and mindset for turning innovative ideas into lucrative business ventures.

 

Business Student for a Day

Image
Saint Mary's Students on Campus for Business Student for a Day

A Preview of Your Future

Curious about life as a Saint Mary's business student? Our program gives you a firsthand look at SEBA by:

  • Attending real classes led by our esteemed faculty.
  • Meeting current SEBA students for insights on academic and campus life.
  • Enjoying lunch at Oliver Hall and connecting with other students.
  • Touring the campus and exploring its resources.
  • Experiencing the excitement of a Saint Mary’s athletic event.

Dive into the vibrant life of a Saint Mary’s business student!

GET INSPIRED AND GET CONNECTED

Students in a classroom

Our world-renowned faculty will empower you to create your dream startup from the ground up as you experience the Bay Area’s spirit of innovation firsthand. With expert guidance, you’ll develop a foundational understanding of modern entrepreneurship, from securing venture capital to developing and promoting a digital brand, all while mastering essential financial and business principles so that success will come second-nature in the real world. 

Concentration Curriculum

Business Administration: Entrepreneurship & Innovation Concentration, BS

BS

Learning Outcomes

  • Entrepreneurial mindset and adaptability - Demonstrate creativity, initiative, resilience, and adaptability in navigating uncertainty and pursuing opportunities.
  • Opportunity recognition and design thinking - Identify and validate entrepreneurial opportunities using human-centered design, customer discovery, and feasibility analysis.
  • Value creation and venture development - Develop, test, and iterate viable business models integrating finance, resource acquisition, and go-to-market strategies.
  • Collaboration, leadership and communication - Collaborate effectively in diverse teams and communicate persuasively with stakeholders.
  • Ethical, social and environmental responsibility - Evaluate the ethical, social, and environmental implications of entrepreneurial action, integrating principles of stewardship and social impact.

Requirements

Business Foundations

  • Complete the following Business Foundation courses:
  • Financial Accounting (3 units)
  • Managerial Accounting (3 units)
  • Microeconomic Principles and Applications (4 units)
  • Take one Macroeconomic Principles course. ECON 201 is offered at SMC and satisfies the SOCSCI and GIP core requirements, while ECON 102 is the equivalent course transferred from other colleges.
  • Macroeconomic Principles and Applications (3 units)
  • Macroeconomic Principles and Applications (4 units)
  • Take 1 Statistics course
  • Probability and Statistics (3 units)
  • OR
  • Intro Probability & Statistics (3 units)
  • OR
  • Probability & Statistics (4 units)
  • Take one lab that covers Excel fundamentals:
  • Excel Lab (1 units)

Business Core

  • Complete the following Business Core courses:
  • Operations Management (3 units)
  • Financial Management (4 units)
  • Business Communication (3 units)
  • Marketing (4 units)
  • Managing & Leading Organizations (4 units)
  • Business Law (4 units)
  • Business Ethics and Social Responsibility (4 units)

Capstone

  • Business Strategy (4 units)

Entrepreneurship

  • Take the following required courses:
  • Introduction to Entrepreneurship (3 units)
  • Technology and Innovation Management (3 units)
  • New Venture Creation (3 units)
  • Entrepreneurship Practicum (3 units)
  • Take one of the following elective courses:
  • New Venture Financing (4 units)
  • Small and Family Business Management (3 units)
  • Digital Marketing (4 units)

Business Administration, BS

BS

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply core quantitative and/or qualitative analytical methods to improve and support effective business decision-making.
  • Produce business writing that meets professional standards.
  • Deliver a professional oral presentation.
  • Analyze an ethical issue and defend the decision based on this analysis.
  • Analyze whether firms are managed as socially and environmentally responsible businesses.

Requirements

Business Foundations

  • Complete the following Business Foundation courses:
  • Financial Accounting (3 units)
  • Managerial Accounting (3 units)
  • Microeconomic Principles and Applications (4 units)
  • Take one Macroeconomic Principles course. ECON 201 is offered at SMC and satisfies the SOCSCI and GIP core requirements, while ECON 102 is the equivalent course transferred from other colleges.
  • Macroeconomic Principles and Applications (3 units)
  • Macroeconomic Principles and Applications (4 units)
  • Take 1 Statistics course
  • Probability and Statistics (3 units)
  • OR
  • Intro Probability & Statistics (3 units)
  • OR
  • Probability & Statistics (4 units)
  • Take one lab that covers Excel fundamentals:
  • Excel Lab (1 units)

Business Core

  • Complete the following Business Core courses:
  • Operations Management (3 units)
  • Financial Management (4 units)
  • Business Communication (3 units)
  • Marketing (4 units)
  • Managing & Leading Organizations (4 units)
  • Business Law (4 units)
  • Business Ethics and Social Responsibility (4 units)

Capstone

  • Business Strategy (4 units)

Electives

  • Students take FOUR elective courses total:
  • Take TWO additional 300-level or 400-level or 500-level courses from ACCTG, BSAN, DATA, FIN, MGT, MKT, OPS, ORB; and/or ECON courses above 302. Each course must be at least 3 CUs.
  • Take TWO additional 300-level or 400-level or 500-level courses from ACCTG, BSAN, DATA, FIN, MGT, OPS, ORB; and/or ECON courses above 302. Each course must be at least 3 CUs.

What can you do with a degree in Entrepreneurship?

A degree in Entrepreneurship prepares you to start your own venture, grow a business, or bring new ideas into existing organizations
(*Some roles may require additional licensing or experience)

Image
Saint Mary's Entrepreneurship Students Chatting on Campus

Startup Founder / Co-Founder
Validate ideas, build teams, secure funding, and scale products or services

Small Business Owner / Manager
Run day-to-day operations, finances, marketing, and customer relationships

Product Manager (Early-Stage)
Translate market needs into MVPs, prioritize roadmaps, and drive launches

Venture Capital / Angel Analyst
Source deals, perform diligence and market sizing, and support portfolio growth

Growth / Digital Marketing Lead
Design acquisition funnels, run experiments, and optimize CAC/LTV

Business Development / Partnerships Manager
Create win-win partnerships, negotiate terms, and open new channels

Operations / Revenue Operations Manager
Build scalable processes, metrics, and systems across sales, marketing, and CS

Family Business Successor / Strategist
Modernize operations, professionalize governance, and manage succession

Social Entrepreneur / Nonprofit Founder
Launch mission-driven ventures that pair sustainable models with measurable impact

Saint Mary's Entrepreneurship Student in Classroom

HONE YOUR EXPERTISE WITH HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

As a student in our Entrepreneurship Program, you'll have the opportunity to learn directly from industry leaders while applying your skills in the real world through once-in-a-lifetime internships, life-changing semesters studying abroad, and engaging in-class projects.

AACSB Accredited Business School

Image
photo of saint mary's doctoral graduates
 
 
 
 
 
Among the Top 6% of Business Schools Worldwide

Being among the top 6% of business schools worldwide reflects more than just academic excellence—it embodies Saint Mary’s deep commitment to its Lasallian roots. AACSB accreditation ensures that undergraduate and graduate Gaels receive a rigorous, globally recognized education grounded in ethical leadership, innovation, and service to others. This distinction aligns with our mission to prepare future business leaders who are not only skilled professionals but also compassionate changemakers, dedicated to creating a positive impact in their communities and beyond.

Entrepreneurship Testimonial

J.C. SANTINI, '21

At Saint Mary's, I majored in Business Administration with an Entrepreneurship Concentration. In my 4 years, I learned how to think with a business-minded perspective and how to problem solve - gaining many of the technical skills necessary to excel as a professional. I am grateful to the professors who took a great amount of time to share their experiences and knowledge with me to ensure my education was world class.”

J.C. SANTINI, '21

Top 6%

Highest Earning Potential in the United States

​​Payscale - Salary Comparison, Salary Survey, Search Wages

Learn More About Our Entrepreneurship Program

Get to know our highly valued faculty and their academic specialties. Or, discover scholarship opportunities for your degree.