McGuire Center Programs
Entrepreneurship and innovation start here.
The McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship offers learning and resources to cover every angle of great entrepreneurship, for all levels and types of University of Arizona students. From undergrads in other majors to Eller undergrads, Eller MBA students and doctoral students, and community members, those in McGuire Center programs emerge equipped to thrive and to lead.
#8
ranked undergraduate program among public programs (#16 overall)
U.S. News & World Report (2020)
#5
ranked graduate program among public programs (#12 overall)
U.S. News & World Report (2020)
#17
national ranking for public MBA entrepreneurship program (#1 in Arizona)
Bloomberg Businessweek (2018)
Undergraduate Programs
Entrepreneurship Major
Undergraduate Eller students can engage in a challenging and exciting year-long academic program learning the principles of entrepreneurship and taking on the process of bringing it to life from early-stage idea to launch-ready venture. Doing so, they can earn a major in entrepreneurship to enhance their first Eller major.
Social Innovation Certificate
This certificate offers Eller undergrads the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skill sets in real-world environments. Through experiential learning with nonprofit organizations and small businesses, students engage with the local community, connect theory to practice and emerge more prepared than ever for the job market.
Eller Entrepreneurship and Innovation Capstone
This capstone course gives Eller seniors the chance to creatively and confidently tackle unstructured problems in entrepreneurial, corporate, government and nonprofit environments.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor
Open to qualifying UA undergraduates in any non-business major program, this minor equips students with the practical skills, innovative mindset and real-world experiences to compete more strongly wherever their career path takes them.
Certificate in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Development
UA students of any major can apply to participate in the McGuire New Venture Development program during their senior year, earning a Certificate in Entrepreneurship.
Master's Programs and Courses
Master of Science in Entrepreneurship
Develop a foundation in the principles and practices of entrepreneurship and innovation with the skills and tools you need to lead as an entrepreneur, whether in your own startup or a corporate setting.
MBA Entrepreneurship Concentration
The New Venture Development Program is a challenging and engaging year-long experience open to UA undergrads and grads, and it fulfills the experiential learning requirement of Eller MBA programs. MBA students may participate in the program as part of their MBA entrepreneurship concentration or as a two-course elective.
Doctoral Minor
Available for UA doctoral students pursuing degrees outside Eller, this minor teaches a valuable entrepreneurial skill set, including new strategies for supporting and growing research agendas and activities.
New Venture Development Certificate
UA students of any major can apply to participate in the McGuire New Venture Development program during their senior year, earning a Certificate in Entrepreneurship.
The best thing the McGuire Center did was challenge me to think differently from day one. The summer assignments launched me right into the mindset of an entrepreneur. They are about seeing the world, observing challenges and finding solutions.
Yale Jesser '15 BSBA (Marketing and Entrepreneurship), Co-founder, CrateCrops
Professional Education
Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership
Teaching innovative approaches to the business of nonprofits, this program is taught jointly by Eller faculty and community nonprofit leaders. The certificate helps participants build the business skills and mindset needed to meet today’s challenges and changing contexts.
Nonprofit Professional Workshops
These half-day standalone workshops are presented by Eller faculty as well as leaders in the Tucson nonprofit community, with the aim of helping participants build valuable business skills to enhance their work in the nonprofit sector.
McGuire Mexico Scholars
This women’s economic empowerment initiative, launched recently, gives underemployed women in Sonora, Mexico the chance to cultivate leadership skills and an entrepreneurial mindset through an eight-part workshop series.
Certificate in Small Business
This educational program for minority-owned small business owners consists of six business classes covering management, marketing, sales, accounting, finance and even legal issues. The classes are taught in both English and Spanish.
Eller Executive Education
Work with our internationally recognized faculty in a top-ranked, non-degree executive development program at Eller. We’ll consult with you to identify current and future organizational challenges, then collaboratively develop customized solutions.
Heritage Food Startup Series
The Heritage Food Startup Series is for food entrepreneurs interested in incorporating heritage foods into their business, and for foodies and farmers wondering how to develop their heritage food idea and launch their business.