The Foster School offers a range of academic opportunities for prospective Foster students and non-business majors to begin their business education. Follow the links below to learn more about our programs and opportunities open to all UW students.
Business Minor
Open to all non-business undergraduate students, the Foster School’s Business Minor offers students the opportunity to build a diverse set of career and life skills. Students completing the Business Minor will learn from excellent Foster faculty members in courses related to financial literacy, accounting, management, entrepreneurship, marketing, sales, and information systems. Coursework for the Business Minor will be delivered largely online with in-person events periodically.
The Business Minor consists of 5 core courses and 1-2 approved electives for a minimum of 27 credits.
- A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA is required in courses applied to the minor.
- A minimum of 15 credits must be at the 300- and/or 400-level.
- A minimum of 15 credits applied to the minor must be completed in residence at the UW-Seattle.
Core Courses:
FIN 205: Personal Financial Literacy (4 CR)
ACCTG 219: Essentials of Accounting (4 CR); or ACCTG 225: Fundamentals of Managerial Accounting (5 CR)
MGMT 305: Essentials of Management and Entrepreneurship (5 CR)
MKTG 305: Essentials of Marketing and Sales (5 CR)
I S 305: Essentials of Business Finance and Information Systems (5 CR; prerequisites: FIN 205, ACCTG 219 or 225)
Elective Courses:
ECON 200: Introduction to Microeconomics (5 CR)
ENTRE 370: Introduction to Entrepreneurship (4 CR)
ENTRE 440: Business Plan Practicum (2 CR)
ENTRE 443: Environmental Innovation Practicum (2 CR)
ENTRE 445: Health Innovation Challenge Practicum (2 CR)
I BUS 490: Foster Exploration Seminar (*study abroad course by application only)
IND E 250: Fundamentals of Engineering Economy (4 CR)
MKTG 315: The Business of Personal Branding and Athletics (4 CR)
MKTG 370: Retailing (4 CR; prerequisite: MKTG 305)
MKTG 445/MGMT 445: Multicultural Marketing and Business Development (4 CR; prerequisite: MKTG 305)
MKTG 456: Advertising (4 CR; prerequisite: MKTG 305)
MGMT 400: Corporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (4 CR; prerequisite MGMT 305)
MGMT 401: Leadership Development (4 CR)
MGMT 402: Negotiations (4 CR)
MGMT 403: Developing High Performing Individuals, Teams, and Organizations (4 CR)
MGMT 404: Organization Development and Change (4 CR)
R E 250*: Introduction to Real Estate (3 CR)
* Note: RE 250 is worth 3 credits. If you choose to take ACCTG 219 for your accounting requirement, selecting this course as your elective will leave you short of the 27-credit minimum, and you will need to take an additional elective to meet the requirement. The 27 credit minimum cannot be waived.
Please see Course Forecast drop-down menu for more information on when courses are likely to be offered.
The below table indicates when to expect courses to be offered for the 2025-2026 academic year. Please note this schedule is just a prediction and is subject to change.
Business Minor Core Courses
| Autumn 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCTG 219 | ACCTG 219 | ACCTG 219 | |
| FIN 205 | FIN 205 | FIN 205 | FIN 205 |
| I S 305 | I S 305 | I S 305 | |
| MGMT 305 | MGMT 305 | MGMT 305 | |
| MKTG 305 | MKTG 305 | MKTG 305 |
Business Minor Elective Courses
| Autumn 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENTRE 370 | ENTRE 370 | ENTRE 370 | I BUS 491 (application only) |
| ENTRE 443 | ENTRE 440 | ENTRE 440 | ECON 200* |
| ENTRE 445 | MKTG 445/MGMT 445 | MKTG 370 | R E 250* |
| MKTG 315 | MGMT 400 | MKTG 315 | |
| ECON 200* | MGMT 401 | MGMT 456 | |
| R E 250* | ECON 200* | MGMT 403 | |
| IND E 250* | MGMT 404 | ||
| IND E 250* | |||
| ECON 200* |
* Please consult the appropriate department for all courses outside of Foster School of Business (ECON, RE, IND E)
To declare the Business Minor, students must have a declared major and at least 45 credits completed. The Business Minor is an open minor and can be declared with your major advisor.
Students will register on their own for business minor coursework.
Foster does not overload courses, we will not provide add codes for any courses.
You do not need to be declared in the minor to register for the coursework.
You must meet course prerequisites to register; we will not allow students to take course prerequisites concurrently.
Registration for Business Minor courses opens for students as follows:
Period 1
FIN 205, ACCTG 219, MKTG 305, I S 305, MGMT 305, ECON 200
Period 2
MGMT 401, MGMT 402, MGMT 403, MGMT 404, MKTG/MGMT 445, RE 250
2 Weeks Before First Day of the Quarter
ENTRE 370, ENTRE 440, ENTRE 443, ENTRE 445, MKTG 315, MKTG 370, MKTG 456, MGMT 400
If you have questions about the Business Minor, Foster School advising offers the following resources:
- Check the Business Minor website for general information.
- Review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section of the website as MOST questions we receive are answered there and we update it regularly!
- If your question isn’t answered there, email us at [email protected].
- If needed, we will arrange an appointment after our email exchange.
Students who wish to try out business coursework before committing to the Business Minor or who do not have enough space in their schedule to complete the full minor have the option of completing the Business for Life digital badge.
Digital badges are verifiable micro-credentials that can be shared on social media such as LinkedIn and used in e-portfolios or digital resumes. To earn the Foster School Business for Life badge, students need to take FIN 205 or ACCTG 219, plus two of any additional Business Minor core courses (MGMT 305, MKTG 305, or I S 305).
Upon completion of the required 3 Business courses, submit the Badge Completion Request Form. The Foster School will award students the digital badge at the end of each quarter which students can share on LinkedIn.
Students can earn a Sports Business Badge, an enhanced Foster Business for Life Badge specifically for students interested in careers in athletics. To complete the Sports Business Badge, students need to complete MKTG 315: The Business of Personal Branding and Athletics class in addition to the requirements for the Business for Life Badge. MKTG 315 was designed in conjunction with UW Athletics and explores the intersection of athletics and business. Students will cover key name, image and likeness topics such as personal brand development and strategy, business and entrepreneurship, and opportunity evaluation.
Upon completion of the required 3 Business for Life courses and the Sports Business course, submit the Business for Life Badge Completion form and designate the Sports Business Badge. The Foster School will award students the digital badge at the end of each quarter which students can share on LinkedIn.
The course I need is full and I need help registering.
We do not overload any Foster courses (even if instructors give permission and even if it’s your last quarter at UW).
I am looking to late-add a course into my schedule and need an add code.
Foster does not provide add codes or allow registration into business courses after the fifth day of the quarter.
Can any of the core courses (ACCTG 219, FIN 205, MGMT 305, I S 305, MKTG 305) count toward the business major if I were later admitted to Foster?
No. None of the Business Minor core courses will fulfill degree requirements for the Business Major. If you are planning to apply to the Foster School major, we do not recommend taking any of these core courses.
Can ACCTG 219 replace ACCTG 215 and 225 for applying to the Foster School’s business major?
No, ACCTG 219 will only fulfill requirements for the Business Minor, Entrepreneurship Minor, and the Professional Sales Certificate; it does not fulfill the pre-application requirement to apply to the business major.
What does it mean if another UW course “overlaps” with a minor course? Can I use that instead?
No. While overlapping courses share content, they are not the same as an equivalent course. Equivalent courses must be approved through [email protected] via syllabus review.
For example, FIN 205 overlaps with B BUS 110, T BGEN 250, and TMATH 109, but none of those courses can be used in place of FIN 205.
Which courses are offered online versus in-person?
All the core courses will be offered online, and all of the elective courses will be offered in person.
What is the structure of the online courses?
The online core courses will have synchronous meetings each week combined with recorded video content.
Are the core courses offered every quarter?
ACCTG 219, FIN 205, I S 305, MGMT 305 and MKTG 305 are typically offered Autumn, Winter, and Spring.
If I have already taken MKTG 301, do I still need to take MKTG 305?
If you have taken MKTG 301 Summer 2021 or earlier, MKTG 301 can fulfill the MKTG 305 core requirement by exception. Please contact the Business Minor advisor.
I took ENTRE 372 Winter 2023 or earlier. Can I use it as an elective for the minor?
Yes.
I am in the Sales Program and have taken MKTG 301 and MKTG 335, do I still need to take MKTG 305?
No, students who have completed MKTG 301 and MKTG 335 cannot receive credit for MKTG 305.
Do the online courses in the minor count as residence credit?
Yes, distance learning courses offered by a student’s home campus count as residence credit.
Do any of the minor courses fulfill general education requirements?
Yes, I S 305 and ACCTG 219 fulfill Qualitative and Symbolic Reasoning (QSR), and FIN 205 fulfills Individuals and Societies (I & S).
Can I use transfer credits from other institutions to fulfill requirements for the business minor?
Yes, approved equivalents from other institutions can be used to fulfill business minor requirements. To get a course approved, start by emailing [email protected].
Can I use Foster’s Career Services if I am declared in the business minor?
Foster Career Coaching is only available to students admitted to the business major, but many of the Foster Career Services events are open to all students including the annual Business Career Fair each October. You can find all events on Handshake.
Can I get credit for an internship and use it to meet the elective requirements of the minor?
No, internship credit does not fulfill elective credit for the business minor.
Can I use study abroad credits to fulfill requirements for the business minor?
The only study abroad credits that can be applied to the Business minor are from the Foster Exploration Seminars, which are application-based, short-term study abroad programs. These Exploration Seminars may be used to fulfill the I BUS 490 elective option.
Is there a minimum GPA to earn in the business minor?
Students need a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in all courses applied to the business minor.
Can I take courses for the minor S/NS?
No, all courses for the minor must be completed on the numerical grading basis.
What other ways can I engage with the Foster School of Business?
Many of the Foster School student clubs and organizations are open to all students: https://foster.uw.edu/academics/degree-programs/undergraduate-programs/student-organizations/.
Select Foster School Exploration Seminar study abroad programs are open to all students: https://foster.uw.edu/exploration-seminars/.
If I am in the Foster school of Business major, can I declare the Business Minor or receive the Business for Life badge?
No, these programs are for students who are not admitted to the Business major.
Contact us
Email: [email protected]
The creation of the Foster School’s Business for Life Badge & Minor Program was made possible by the generous support of BECU.
Entrepreneurship Minor
The Foster School’s competitive Entrepreneurship Minor is for non-business students who want in-person, cross-disciplinary experiential learning. Whether you want to be an entrepreneur or not, you will learn how to solve problems related to developing products or services, as well as launching a business, and growing as a leader within a team. These skills serve students after graduation, whether they create a startup or work as an intrapreneur inside a larger company.
Apply Now
Winter admission
October 25
Spring admission
January 25
Fall admission
April 25
The other track includes taking one accounting course (ACCT 219 – open specifically for non-business majors) and ECON 200 as prerequisites. Completing the minor using this track requires taking one additional entrepreneurship course.
Total 29-31 credits
- ENTRE 370 Intro to Entrepreneurship (4)
ENTRE 472 Creating a Company I (4)
ENTRE 473 Creating a Company II (4) - ENTRE Electives (4 cr. required for students who take ACCTG 215 & 225; 8 cr. required for students who take ACCTG 219)
-
- ENTRE 422 Innovation Strategy (4)
- ENTRE 432 Software Entrepreneurship (4)
- ENTRE 372 Grand Challenges in Entrepreneurship (4)
- ENTRE 440 Business Plan Practicum (2)
- ENTRE 443 Environmental Innovation Practicum (2)
- ENTRE 445 Health Innovation Challenge Practicum (2)
- ENTRE 455 Entrepreneurial Marketing (4)
- ENTRE 459 Venture Investing (4)
- ENTRE 490 Special Topics in Entrepreneurship (check with ENTRE minor advisor for approval)
**ENTRE 457 Entrepreneurial Finance is NOT available for minor students
-
KEY COURSE TIMEFRAMES
| Autumn 2024 | Winter 2025 | Spring 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENTRE 472 Creating a Company I | ENTRE 473 Creating a Company II | ENTRE 473 Creating a Company II | |
| ENTRE 443 Environmental Innovation Practicum | ENTRE 472 Creating a Company I | ENTRE 455 Entrepreneurship Marketing | |
| ENTRE 445 Health Innovation Practicum | ENTRE 440 Business Plan Practicum | ENTRE 422 Innovation Strategy | |
| ENTRE 459 Venture Investing | ENTRE 372 Grand Challenges in Entrepreneurship | ENTRE 490 Small Business Entrepreneurship | |
| ENTRE 455 Entre Marketing | ENTRE 432 Software Entrepreneurship |
*Required accounting courses, ECON 200 Microeconomics, and Entre 370 Intro to Entrepreneurship are available each quarter during the academic year.
- A minimum of 45 credits completed
- A declared major (only non-business majors are eligible)
- A minimum of a 2.0 cumulative and prerequisite GPA
- Prerequisite Courses
- ECON 200 Microeconomics (5)
- ACCTG 215 Financial Accounting (5) & ACCTG 225 Managerial Accounting (5)
OR - ACCTG 219 Essentials of Accounting (4)
-
- Meet with your assigned adviser to confirm that the entrepreneurship minor coursework fits within your academic plan. On the application you will submit the email address of your assigned adviser, they will be prompted to confirm that you’ve met with them and they agree that you’re able to complete the coursework. You must submit their direct email address (ex. [email protected]), you cannot submit a departmental email (ex. [email protected]).
- Prepare to write one essay (3000 character maximum) describing why you are interested in the Entrepreneurship Minor. This is an opportunity to highlight what interests you about the entrepreneurship courses offered at the Foster School. Applicants should also write about any prior experience with entrepreneurship, including but not limited to, turning ideas into actionable outcomes, creating new ventures, or ideating within existing businesses.
- Complete the online application.
* Online application opens on the 5th of the month ahead of each deadline. (ex. April 5 ahead of April 25 spring quarter deadline).
SUGAR + SPOON
This startup was created and developed as part of the group exercise that is essential to the ENTRE 472 Creating a Company I experience. The founders met in the class and were excited to try and create a safe-to-eat cookie dough. Sugar + Spoon (add hyperlink: https://sugarspoondough.com/<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://sugarspoondough.com/__;!!K-Hz7m0Vt54!m8J4DwijgddjNrzToWmiwZvrs7SrWbfLs4491i0AK5-K2iVFdRLy5zClFfpNYSSKcRzlRxcfQXHhwQ$>) went on to launch multiple food trucks and even a pop-up location, as well as an online store to sell their goods. Sugar + Spoon completed the Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship’s Jones + Foster Accelerator as part of the 2018-19 cohort. They have been profiled in the Seattle Times, Seattle Eater, Seattle Met, Seattled Refined, and on KING 5 News. Sugar + Spoon is still an active company today.
CACTUS KEFIR
This startup was also created and developed as part the ENTRE 472 Creating a Company I experience. The startup team included students studying computer science, electrical engineering, marketing and entrepreneurship. After completing the second section of this 2-part course, Cactus Kefir had developed their product, tested the market, participated in Farmer’s Markets, and even made sales. Cactus Kefir was named a finalist in the 2024 Dempsey Startup Competition and advanced to the Sweet 16 Round (out of a pool of 136 teams).
For more examples of how impactful these courses are for undergraduate students at UW, please contacted Alex Eli, manager of undergraduate programs at the Buerk Center, by e-mail at eliad.uw.edu or by scheduling office hours with him by visiting startup.uw.edu.
Application and Admission FAQs
Can I apply to the minor with the prerequisites in progress?
Yes, you can apply to the minor with prerequisites in progress. We do need at least one graded prerequisite on your transcript. You also need to pass the prerequisites in order to stay in the minor if admitted.
What grades do I need in the prerequisite courses? Is there a minimum GPA?
Students need a 2.0 minimum cumulative prerequisite GPA as well as an overall minimum GPA of 2.0.
Can I use transfer credits from other institutions for the prerequisite courses?
Yes. We have no preference on where prerequisite courses are taken. Courses taken in state at a community college can be reviewed on the Equivalency Guide.
Can I take a prerequisite class for the minor as S/NS?
No. If you have already taken a class as S/NS, you will need to petition the Registrar’s office and request to have it converted back into a grade.
What if I took Macroeconomics instead of Microeconomics? Would that be accepted for the Economics prerequisite?
No, students must take Microeconomics to be admitted to the minor.
What if I am a Lavin student?
Lavin students do not need to apply to the minor, but still need to complete all the prerequisite coursework and meet the minimum requirements. You also must be in good standing in the Lavin program.
Declaring the Minor FAQs
How do I declare the minor?
As part of the application to the minor, you will be required to get approval from your major advisor. Your major advisor’s signature confirms their approval to add the minor and that you can finish the minor alongside your major within the University of Washington’s Satisfactory Progress policies. Once admitted to the minor, the Entre Minor advisor will declare the minor for you. If you are a Lavin student, you should contact the Buerk Center to declare the minor.
How do I drop the minor?
You can submit a new Change of Major/Minor form with your major advisor. Email [email protected] to let us know you plan to drop the minor.
Curriculum
How many credits is the Entrepreneurship minor?
29-31 credits (6-7 courses) depending on the track you choose. Track one is 31 credits for students who choose to take ACCTG 215: Financial Accounting and ACCTG 225: Managerial Accounting as their Accounting prerequisite. Track two is 29 credits for students who choose to only take ACCTG 219: Essentials of Accounting as their Accounting prerequisite.
Why is accounting a prerequisite for the minor?
Every entrepreneur needs to know where your money comes from, where it goes, and how to use the numbers to tell the financial story of the start-up.
What is the difference in course content between taking ACCTG 215 & 225 and just taking ACCTG 219?
In ACCTG 215, you will practice the art of creating balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements from underlying transactions. In ACCTG 225, you will learn to analyze and evaluate accounting information as part of the managerial process of planning, decision making and control. In ACCTG 219, you will learn accounting essentials that include a hybrid of information from both 215 and 225.
How long will it take me to complete the minor?
Students should plan on 4-5 quarters to complete the minor requirements including the application prerequisite courses (Microeconomics and Accounting). Following the application prerequisite courses, there is a 3 quarter sequence of required courses: ENTRE 370-Intro to Entrepreneurship, ENTRE 472- Creating a Company I, and ENTRE 473- Creating a Company II. The remaining electives required for the minor can be taken in the same quarter as one of the other ENTRE classes.
Sample:
| Quarter 1 | Quarter 2 | Quarter 3 | Quarter 4 | Quarter 5 |
| ECON 200 | ACCTG 219 | ENTRE 370 | ENTRE 472 | ENTRE 473 |
| ENTRE ELECTIVE | ENTRE ELECTIVE | |||
| Apply to Minor |
OR
| Quarter 1 | Quarter 2 | Quarter 3 | Quarter 4 | Quarter 5 |
| ECON 200 | ACCTG 225 | ENTRE 370 | ENTRE 472 | ENTRE 473 |
| ACCTG 215 | ENTRE ELECTIVE | ENTRE ELECTIVE | ||
| Apply to Minor |
Registration
When can I register for ENTRE classes once accepted into the minor?
Upon admission to the minor, students can register for ENTRE minor courses at the beginning of Period II registration.
ENTRE 455-Entrepreneurial Marketing has MKTG 301 listed as a prerequisite; can I take this course if I haven’t taken Marketing?
Yes, we waive this prerequisite for students in the minor. The Entre minor advisor can enroll you in ENTRE 455, bypassing the system requirements.
Can I get credit for an internship and use it to meet the elective requirement of the minor?
No, you should plan on completing one of the listed ENTRE elective course options. If you have a special circumstance, you may contact the Entre minor advisor to discuss.
Resources
Can I use Foster’s Career Services if I have been accepted into the minor?
Unfortunately, no. Foster Career Services are restricted to students admitted to the major. However, you can go to the University of Washington Career Center in Mary Gates Hall and receive many of the same resources. There is a UW Startup Job Fair in spring quarter each year to which Entre Minor students are invited. It’s a great way to find opportunities to work with earl-stage companies.
Are there opportunities outside of coursework to get involved for Entre minor students?
Yes! The Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship offers many resources and opportunities for engagement including entrepreneurship competitions, entrepreneur events, resources for startups, and programs specifically for undergraduate students. Check out their website or contact ([email protected]) to learn more. You can also join the Startup UW student organization.
Other questions
Contact [email protected]
Contact us
Send an email to [email protected] for questions about the application process and logistics
Send an email to [email protected] for questions on how to leverage the minor for even more entrepreneurial opportunities.
Learn more about the Foster School’s Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship.
SALES CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Obtain the knowledge and real-world experience necessary to be successful in sales. This nationally ranked program teaches students how to sell, manage and lead.
More Opportunities
Lavin Entrepreneurship Program combines hands-on learning and coursework to give students the experience, skills, and know-how to succeed in their future business ventures. Students apply to the program as freshmen. The Lavin Program is offered by the Arthur W. Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship at the Foster School.
Foster Leadership Academy is a non-academic certification program partnering with UW Athletics that is focused on Authentic Leadership. Upon completion, each student will receive a certificate, a professional Foster branded gift, and a valuable experience for your resume.
Visit the Foster opportunities for all students website for more experiential opportunities, events, and ways to get involved in the Foster community.