students present at entrepreneurship event

Certificate in Entrepreneurship

Expand the Reach of Your Graduate Degree With the Certificate in Entrepreneurship

Apply your knowledge in a new venture

Entrepreneurship plays a vital role in global economic growth and bringing new technologies and services to society. Whether you plan to lead or be part of a team, you’ll learn to imagine opportunities and take action to create value through new ventures.

You can earn the Certificate in Entrepreneurship while enrolled in any degree-granting graduate program at UW–Madison. The curriculum covers financial, legal, and marketing considerations as well as organizational structure and strategies for growth. Start by taking two business courses then customize your program with options across campus that address your interests and career goals.

Certificate Declare/Withdraw

Grad Students (doctoral and masters)

Use MyGradPortal (accessible through MyUW) to declare, change, or withdraw certificates.

Professional Students (Law, Vet, Pharm, Med, etc.)

Use the following forms to declare or withdraw certificates.

Withdrawal Form

Declaration Form

Completion form

Grad and professional students should submit the Completion Form the semester certificate coursework is completed, which may be the semester of graduation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The focus of the Certificate in Entrepreneurship is on working in new ventures and the business considerations for a startup organization. The Certificate in Strategic Innovation focuses on research, innovation, and product development in existing organizations.

Both certificates emphasize the business context; both can be used to probe sustainability and social-mission goals. Students may earn both certificates by completing unique business courses for each.

There is no additional tuition charge to earn any of the certificates.

Business students pay a tuition surcharge to support the WSB services. Please use the career services for your degree-granting program.

There is no advance registration process.

If you decide not to pursue the certificate, please complete the Withdrawal Form.

Program Overview

The Certificate in Entrepreneurship provides flexibility to customize your certificate based on your interests and career goals. In addition to earning 12 credits, you are encouraged to participate in entrepreneurship competitions and student organizations to expand your experience.

The required foundation course, MHR 722, has no prerequisites and is open to all graduate students in a degree-seeking program at UW–Madison. In addition to MHR 722, you must earn at least 3 credits from the Advanced Entrepreneurship Courses list below and up to six credits of additional advanced entrepreneurship or elective coursework.

Note: You may not use the same advanced Wisconsin School of Business course to acquire two certificates (i.e.,  MHR 715 – Strategic Management of Innovation, MHR 722 – Entrepreneurial Management, and MHR 741 – Technology Entrepreneurship cannot be counted for more than one certificate).

Note: Courses may not be taken pass/fail. 

For examples of how you might customize your certificate, review some sample portfolios.

Required Foundation Course (3 credits)

Advanced Entrepreneurship Courses (at least 3 credits)

Elective Coursework

Up to 6 credits of electives can be counted toward the required 12 certificate credits.

  • ACCT IS 300/ACCT IS 700 Accounting Principles/Financial Accounting
  • GEN BUS 310 Fundamentals of Accounting and Finance for Non-Business Majors
  • GEN BUS 311 Fundamentals of Management and Marketing for Non-Business Majors
  • MHR/INTEGART 632 Introduction to Arts Entrepreneurship
  • MHR/INTEGART 636 Entrepreneurship in Arts & Cultural Organizations
  • MHR 704 Managing Behavior in Organizations
  • MHR 705 Human Resource Management
  • MHR 723 Business Strategy
  • MHR 977 Emerging Entrepreneurship Theory and Research
  • MKT 300/MKT 700 Marketing Management
  • MKT 737 New Product Innovation
  • MKT 755 Marketing in the Digital Age
  • RMI 650 Sustainability, Environmental & Social Risk Management

  • LAW 751 Patent Law
  • LAW 752 Copyright Law
  • LAW 753 Introduction to Intellectual Property Law
  • LAW 817 Business Organizations I
  • LAW 854 Clinical Program: Law & Entrepreneurship

  • AAE/MHR 540 Intellectual Property Rights, Innovation, and Technology
  • AAE 706 Applied Risk Analysis
  • LSC 435: Brand Strategy for the Sciences
  • LSC 625: Risk Communication
  • LSC 902: Public Opinion of Life Science Issues

  • EPD 619 Fostering and Leading Innovation
  • ME 549 Product Design

  • LIS 603 Research and Assessment for Information Professionals
  • LIS 732 Strategic Information Services

  • CSCS 455 Entrepreneurialism and Society