Carolina Entrepreneurial Initiative
"turning ideas into enterprises"

Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship

The Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship and the Introduction to Entrepreneurship course are both designed for UNC graduate students, doctoral candidates, post-docs, faculty and staff to complement their studies in traditional disciplines with an exploration of how entrepreneurship is changing their fields and learn how to conceive, plan and execute new commercial and nonprofit ventures.

Introduction to Entrepreneurship Course

Introduction to Entrepreneurship is an open-enrollment course open to any UNC graduate student, doctoral candidate, post-doc or faculty or staff member, regardless of whether they intend to pursue the full certificate. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor. Students may choose an introductory course in one of three areas:

  • Artistic Entrepreneurship — creating for-profit and nonprofit ventures in any industry related to the arts, from music, film, gaming, performing arts, creative writing to graphic design, photography, and arts and crafts.
  • Scientific Entrepreneurship — entrepreneurship, technology transfer and venture creation related to any field of science.
  • Social Entrepreneurship — using social entrepreneurship to address social needs and launching new ventures with a social purpose.

Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship

The Graduate Certificate requires nine credit hours for completion, including the introductory course. It is offered in two sequences, Literacy and Enterprise Creation, based on students' interests and whether they intend to create a real business or nonprofit.

For more information, contact:
Margaret Swanson
Graduate Certificate Registrar
(919) 962-2753
Margaret_Swanson@unc.edu

 

 

Subscribe to e-newsletter

In the News
Certificate program yields first graduates
"The program helped me understand the process of thinking about markets and the commercialization strategy for a new idea, which is not something I learned in medical school."
Tom Egan
UNC professor of surgery and
Certificate recipient


"The chain of events for a commercialization process is very different from an investor's point of view than from a researcher's. Understanding this and what motivates both sides can help both parties interact in a much more efficient way."
Jason Doherty
Graduate student, Pathology
Graduate certificate recipient


"The graduate certificate program gave me unparalleled access to a world-class network of entrepreneurs…I learned the importance of developing a network, promoting an idea, putting the right team together, and - most importantly - maintaining a balance between realism and enthusiasm."

Tom Outlaw (center)
MBA '08
Winner, 2008 Carolina Challenge Social Entrepreneurship Award