The institute supports academic courses that are part of DePaul's nationally ranked entrepreneurship programs. Our programs include a master's in entrepreneurship, an MBA with a concentration in entrepreneurship and an undergraduate entrepreneurship major and minors for business and non-business students.
Women in Entrepreneurial and Organizational Leadership (MGT 385 / MGT 585): This course is an introduction to the challenges and opportunities facing women in leadership, in both entrepreneurial and corporate contexts. Students will: think critically about the challenges and opportunities facing women in leadership; articulate the value that women in leadership add to business and society, and develop leadership skills for advancing equity and pursuing leadership roles in entrepreneurial and organizational settings.
Chicago’s Women Business Leaders (HON 111): In this course, students will learn about Chicago's women business leaders — the experiences, strengths, and resources that have facilitated their professional and personal accomplishments. Women, especially women of color, are notably underrepresented in C-Suite and senior leadership positions. Moreover, for those who opt to start their own ventures, women-founded businesses receive only 2% of venture funding. COVID-19 further exacerbated gender disparities in business, with women leaving the workforce at significantly higher rates than their male counterparts. Despite these disparities, women in Chicago are creating and leading high-impact businesses that drive sustainability, equality, and economic growth. In this course, students will learn about the experiences of women leaders from a diverse array of backgrounds and Chicago neighborhoods. They will use these insights to better understand business in Chicago, through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through self-reflection, writing, and a group project, students will explore their own leadership identities, future career paths, and roles in creating a more equitable Chicago.