Delivery
In-person, evening classes at the Dubois Center
M.S. in Entrepreneurship
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Not just theory. Real venture building.
Why study entrepreneurship at UNC Charlotte
Most programs teach you about building companies. This one helps you build one.
From day one, you’re in a cohort of fellow founders-in-progress, working alongside peers who share your drive to create something new. You’ll gain the frameworks, the funding knowledge and the founder mindset to take your idea seriously — and take it to market.
You’ll develop expertise in:
- Venture ideation and lean startup methodology
- Business model design and financial planning
- Entrepreneurial law and intellectual property
- Venture finance and investor readiness
- Design thinking and innovation
- Organizing and scaling new ventures
Her’e how the program is structured to support that experience.
See how this approach comes to life at UNC Charlotte
Entrepreneurship in action
See how UNC Charlotte connects students with founders, mentors and investors to turn ideas into real ventures.
The Difference is Charlotte
Charlotte isn’t just where this program is located. It’s where ideas get built.
The Charlotte region is one of the most dynamic startup ecosystems in the South and this program puts you at the center of it. You’ll connect with the founders, investors and operators shaping what’s next.
- Hundreds of startups across the Charlotte region
- $1.5B raised across 261 venture capital deals
- 60 companies on the Inc. 5000 list
This isn’t a program that reads about startup culture from a distance. It’s one that drops you into it.
Built for Founders: The CO-LAB Advantage
Students in the M.S. in Entrepreneurship gain access to UNC Charlotte’s CO-LAB at UNC Charlotte Center City — an innovation and entrepreneurship hub that cultivates collaboration, creativity and technological advancement.
Through CO-LAB, you’ll have access to:
- Incubator space to work on your venture alongside peers
- Entrepreneurial support organizations embedded in the university ecosystem
- Pitch events to pressure-test your idea and get in front of real audiences
- Corporate partners who can open doors to customers, collaborators and capital
- Venture capital groups and angel investors actively looking for the next great idea
This is where the classroom and the startup world meet.
Where can this degree take me?
Career Outcomes
An M.S. in Entrepreneurship doesn’t put you on a single track. It puts you in the driver’s seat.
Launch your own venture
This is what the program is built for. You’ll graduate with a tested business model, real investor exposure and a network of mentors and peers who can help you grow it.
Lead innovation inside a company
Not every entrepreneur starts from scratch. Corporations increasingly want people who think like founders, and this degree signals exactly that.
Step into high-growth business roles
The skills you build here — strategic thinking, financial fluency, design thinking, lean methodology — translate directly into roles in product management, business development and consulting.
Work inside the startup ecosystem
Venture capital firms, accelerators and startup studios need people who understand how early-stage companies are built.
Whatever path you take, Charlotte gives you a head start. You won’t just graduate with a degree — you’ll graduate with a network, a venture and a city full of people ready to bet on what you build next.
Designed for aspiring founders and innovation-minded professionals
Is your idea still just an idea?
This program is built for people who are ready to stop planning and start building.
- Do you have an idea you can’t stop thinking about?
- Are you ready to test it, build it and put it in front of real investors?
- Do you want a graduate degree that produces a venture, not just a diploma?
If you answered yes, you’re exactly who this program was designed for.
Students in the M.S. in Entrepreneurship come from all kinds of backgrounds — recent graduates who want to start a company instead of join one, working professionals ready to make their next move and career changers who are done sitting on an idea. What they share isn’t a résumé. It’s a drive to build.
You don’t need an MBA. You don’t need an existing business. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You need ambition, a willingness to do the work and the readiness to surround yourself with people who will push you to go further than you would on your own.
Ready to move from idea to action? Let’s talk.
Take the next step and start your application.
How You’ll Build Your Venture
Program Structure
The M.S. in Entrepreneurship is a 1-year, cohort-based program designed to help you move from idea to execution. You'll complete 30 credit hours across two semesters, developing and refining a venture through hands-on coursework, mentorship and real-world engagement with founders, investors and corporate partners.
Semester 1: Explore, Test and Validate
- Lean startup methodology and customer discovery
- Design thinking and innovation
- Entrepreneurial mindset and strategy
- Practicum experience with mentor guidance
- Initial pitch development
Semester 2: Build, Fund and Launch
- Venture finance and funding strategies
- Business models and business planning
- Legal and organizational foundations
- Advanced practicum with mentor support
- Pitching to investors and stakeholders
Note: The official catalog entry with the complete curriculum for this program will be available summer 2026.
Tuition + Financial Planning
Investing in your graduate education is an important decision. Tuition for the M.S. in Entrepreneurship is based on the number of credit hours taken. Visit Niner Central for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information.
Tuition Overview
- Competitive tuition for in-state and out-of-state students
- Pay by credit hour (30 total credit hours)
- Evening program designed for working professionals
Funding Opportunities
- Scholarships may be available
- Employer tuition support (varies by organization)
Financial Planning Resources
- Access to tools and guidance to help you evaluate costs and plan ahead
Admission Requirements
Ready to apply? Here’s what you’ll need:
- Online application + general requirements for admission to the Graduate School
- Statement of purpose — tell us about your venture idea and what you’ve already done to pursue it
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (minimum 3.0 GPA)
- Unofficial transcripts of all college coursework
- International applicants: TOEFL or IELTS scores (if English is not your native language and you haven’t earned a post-secondary degree from a U.S. institution)
No GMAT/GRE scores required. No transfer credit accepted.
Application Deadlines
The M.S. in Entrepreneurship program begins in in Summer Session 2 and concludes in the following Summer Session 1.
- Priority Consideration: March 1
- Financial Consideration: June 15
The application process is managed by the UNC Charlotte Graduate School. Applications will continue to be reviewed on an ongoing basis as space permits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have a business idea before applying?
No. You don’t need a fully developed idea, just an interest in building something and the motivation to explore and develop it during the program. You’ll begin developing and testing ideas from day one.
Do I need a business background?
No. Students come from a wide range of academic backgrounds. What matters is your drive to build something and your willingness to do the work.
How is this program different from a traditional business degree?
This program is designed around building and launching ventures, not just studying business concepts. You’ll learn through hands-on experience, mentorship and real-world engagement with founders, investors and the Charlotte startup ecosystem.
Will I graduate with a real venture?
That’s the goal. The program is structured to help you move from idea to early execution, with dedicated practicum experiences and opportunities to present your venture to investors before you graduate.
Is transfer credit accepted?
No. The cohort model is designed as an integrated experience, and all 30 credit hours are completed within the program.
Apply early. Spots are limited and the cohort fills fast.
Still exploring? Connect with our team and find out if this is the right move for you.
contact us
Have more questions?
Ready for a one-on-one conversation?
Contact Ethan Chiang, Associate Dean of Graduate Programs at the Belk College of Business.