First, a quick reality-check (so you don’t waste time)

When people search entrepreneurship minor msu, they’re not always talking about the same university. “MSU” is used by multiple schools, and a lot of students click the first result and then feel confused.

Here’s the easiest way to confirm you’re looking at the right program:

You’ll see it called Minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation
You’ll see it connected to the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
You’ll see the minor requires 15 credits + 2 experiences
The two core classes are ESHP 190 and CAS 114 / AL 114 (Michigan State University)

If that matches what you’re seeing, you’re in the right place—and this guide will make everything much clearer.

What the entrepreneurship minor msu really is

Most minors are “take X classes and you’re done.” The entrepreneurship minor msu is different because it’s built around doing things, not just learning terms.

Yes—you’ll take classes. But the bigger value is:

learning how to spot opportunities,
testing ideas fast,
building confidence to pitch and communicate,
and finishing with proof of work (not just a line on your transcript).

Officially, the minor is open to undergrads from any major, and it’s designed to build an entrepreneurial mindset whether you want to start a business or bring innovation into your future career.

Requirements (what you must complete)

Let me break the entrepreneurship minor msu requirements in the simplest way:

1) Total credits: 15

You complete 15 credit hours.

2) Two required core courses (6 credits total)

These are the foundation:

CAS 114 / AL 114: Creativity and Innovative Entrepreneurship
ESHP 190: Introduction to Entrepreneurship

3) Electives: 9 credits

You choose 9 credits from an approved elective list.

4) Two “Experiences” (hands-on)

On top of classes, you also complete two entrepreneurship/innovation experiences, and you can’t repeat the same one twice.

5) Important detail most people miss: “Unique credits”

At least 6 of your 15 credits must be unique to the minor (meaning they can’t also be used to meet requirements for your major/college/university requirements).

Real-life tip: Before you register, open your degree progress page and mark which classes are already “double-counting.” If too many courses overlap, you might end up short on the unique-credit rule near graduation (and that’s a stressful fix).

6) Minimum grade expectation

You’re expected to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA in the minor courses.

What you’ll actually learn in the core classes (and how to get maximum value)

ESHP 190 (don’t treat it like a “basic intro”)

This course focuses on the entrepreneurial experience, mindset, and venture creation process.

How to make it worth it (what I’d do):

Pick ONE simple problem from your real life (campus life, work, family business, anything).
Use the class to build a starter idea around it.
Keep a running doc called “Proof” where you save:
- survey screenshots,
- interview notes,
- early pricing tests,
- and feedback quotes.

That “Proof” doc becomes your portfolio later.

CAS 114 / AL 114 (where your creativity becomes practical)

This class covers creative processes, problem-solving, and innovation thinking, with activities around observation, experimentation, and networking.

Real-life tip: Don’t just “do the assignment.” Build a habit:

Once a week, write down 10 things that annoy you (small problems count).
Then pick one and ask: “Who else has this problem and what would they pay to fix it?”
That’s literally how a lot of real startups start—small, annoying problems.

Choosing electives (this is where you can make the minor feel custom-built)

The elective list is broad on purpose. You can pull classes from business, media, engineering, arts, sustainability, and more.

Here’s the smart way to pick electives: choose a “track” based on what you want to become.

Track A: If you want to build a startup (classic founder path)

Pick electives that help you design, test, and launch:

ESHP 170: Business Model Design and Prototyping
ESHP 230: The Entrepreneurial Mindset
ESHP 380: Planning, Modeling and Adaptive Execution
MKT 355: Entrepreneurial Marketing

Real-life example:
If your idea is a tutoring service, ESHP/MKT electives help you figure out: who exactly you serve, what makes you different, and how to get your first 20 customers without burning money.

Track B: If you want product/design roles (UX, product management, innovation teams)

Choose classes that teach human-centered thinking and product building:

MI 450: Creating Human-Centered Technology (includes building a portfolio piece)
GD 295: Design Thinking for Entrepreneurs
MKT 420: New Product Design and Development

Real-life tip: Employers love portfolios. If a class produces a “thing” (prototype, case study, product plan), prioritize it.

Track C: If you want the business side (finance, law, operations)

This track is underrated because it makes you dangerous (in a good way):

FI 444: Entrepreneurial Finance
GBL 467: Emerging Enterprise Law
MGT 352: Entrepreneurship: New Venture Process

Real-life example:
If you plan to start something later, finance + law knowledge helps you avoid common early mistakes: bad pricing, messy ownership splits, and unclear contracts.

Track D: If you want to build in a niche (media, hospitality, sustainability, arts)

The minor is flexible enough to support “non-obvious” entrepreneur paths, like creative businesses or social ventures. The elective list includes options across different colleges.

My advice: Pick electives that match the world you want to operate in, because your network (classmates, guest speakers, mentors) will match that too.

The Experiences requirement (this is the part that makes the minor stand out)

In the entrepreneurship minor msu, you must complete two experiences, and these are meant to be hands-on entrepreneurial projects.

The experiences listed include options like:

2DAY Venture
Discovery Program
SpartaHack
Pitch Competition
plus options like Ethics & Entrepreneurship and Personal Branding

Experience #1 idea (beginner-friendly): 2DAY Venture

2DAY Venture is described as a team-based event held twice a semester where students explore turning an idea into reality—even if they don’t have their own idea.

What most students don’t realize:
You don’t just “attend.” If you want it to count for the minor, there’s a checklist process (record your experience, enroll in a course space, attend, then submit a reflection paper).

For 2DAY Venture, the required reflection is at least 500 words, and it needs specific elements like: what you worked on, your contribution, what you learned, how it applies to your career/major, feedback you received, and photos.

Real-life tip to make your reflection 10x easier:
During the event, keep a notes app open and write:

3 mentor comments you received
2 things your team argued about (and how you resolved it)
1 moment you felt stuck and what you did next
That becomes instant reflection material.

Experience #2 idea: Pitch Competition (even if you’re nervous)

Pitch competitions force clarity. Even if you don’t win, you gain:

public speaking reps,
feedback from judges/mentors,
and a story you can use in interviews.

Real-life tip: Don’t pitch a “perfect startup.” Pitch a small, testable idea. Judges can smell fantasy. They respect students who test in the real world.

How to turn the entrepreneurship minor msu into a real portfolio (not just “credits”)

Here’s what makes your minor feel powerful when you graduate:

Build a “4-piece portfolio”

By the time you finish, aim for 4 concrete items:

A validated problem statement (who has the problem + proof it’s real)
A basic business model (what you sell, to whom, how you deliver)
A traction artifact (even small—10 preorders, 50 email waitlist signups, 3 paid customers, etc.)
A pitch deck or case study (simple: problem → solution → why now → what you learned)

If you do that, you can walk into interviews confidently and say:
“I didn’t just study entrepreneurship—I tested an idea, worked in teams, and learned how to execute.”

Programs and spaces that can level you up (use what’s already there)

A lot of students do the minor but never tap into the ecosystem around it. Don’t make that mistake.

Burgess Institute + Venture Creation support

The Burgess Institute describes its approach as education-first, focused on entrepreneurial mindset, real-world experience, and community.

They also run venture creation programming designed to help students explore and build with structure and support.

Momentum Pre-Accelerator (for more advanced teams)

MOMENTUM is described as a competitive six-week summer pre-accelerator, including coaching, mentorship, a growth curriculum, and a capital infusion.

Real-life tip: Even if you’re not ready now, read the eligibility section early so you know what to work toward.

Spaces you should actually visit

Entrepreneurship Lab (a flexible entrepreneurship space in the Minskoff Pavilion)
Venture Kitchen (a licensed commercial kitchen space in the MSU Union with business coaching and licensing support)

If your idea involves food, wellness products, or anything needing a kitchen workflow, Venture Kitchen is one of those “hidden gem” resources students forget exists.

Scholarships (yes, there are opportunities)

The Burgess Institute lists scholarship programs, including:

Schaberg Entrepreneurship Scholars
a Digital Entrepreneurship Scholarship that prefers students enrolled in the minor (eligibility includes being an undergrad in good standing and involved in venture creation)

Real-life tip: Scholarship applications usually reward students who can clearly explain:

what they’re building,
what they’ve tested,
and what they’ll do next.
So keep your portfolio pieces organized from day one.

Declaring the minor (and who to talk to)

The minor page includes a direct way to declare and also suggests meeting with the program’s academic advisor; it specifically mentions scheduling with Lillian Brooks and using code 0094 for the minor.

My advice: Don’t wait until your last year. Meet early and bring:

your major plan,
your expected graduation term,
and 2–3 elective ideas you’re excited about.
That meeting becomes a strategy session instead of a paperwork session.

FAQ: entrepreneurship minor msu

1) How many credits is the entrepreneurship minor msu?

It’s 15 credits, plus two experiences.

2) What are the two required classes?

ESHP 190 and CAS 114 / AL 114 are the required core courses.

3) Do I need to be a business major to do the minor?

No—officially it’s open to undergraduates from any major/home college.

4) What does “unique credits” mean, and why does it matter?

At least 6 credits must be unique to the minor, meaning they can’t also count toward other degree requirements.

5) What counts as an “experience”?

The experiences are hands-on entrepreneurship projects (examples listed include 2DAY Venture, Discovery Program, SpartaHack, and Pitch Competition).

6) If I do 2DAY Venture, what do I submit for it to count?

There’s a checklist process, and you submit a reflection paper (minimum 500 words) that includes specific items like your role, what you learned, feedback received, and photos.

7) Is there a GPA requirement for the minor?

The registrar listing states a 2.0 GPA must be maintained in courses completed for the minor.