Minoring in Business
Enhance your major with a business minor. Whether you’re interested in entrepreneurship, economics, sustainability, real estate, healthcare innovation, engineering leadership, or business fundamentals, our undergraduate minors help you develop practical skills that complement your major and prepare you for a wide range of careers.
Why add a business minor?
Business skills are applicable far and wide. No matter your major or post-graduation plans, a business minor can give you an edge in today’s competitive marketplace—or even inspire a new direction. Your coursework and learning experiences will vary based on which program you choose; these are just some of the benefits of enhancing your degree with a minor.
Developing fluency in a shared business vocabulary
Effective business communication requires a shared vocabulary and a strong understanding of markets and the economy. These skills ensure clear dialogue and informed decisions, driving success across industries.
Stepping stone to ownership or entrepreneurship
If you plan to launch a business or pursue a position with a startup, a business minor is an ideal way to gain necessary skills and knowledge.
Boosting decision-making skills and efficiency
A solid grasp of financial reporting and operational processes can help you make better decisions at all levels of business.
General business minors
Our three most popular minors are designed to boost business acumen, no matter one’s primary field of study. This includes options designed for future engineers and healthcare practitioners looking to build leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
Business minor
This flexible minor blends core business classes with electives in areas like statistics, finance, marketing, and management.
Open to all Cornell undergraduates except those enrolled in the Nolan School, the Dyson School, or Operations Research and Information Engineering.
Business minor for engineers
Build business and people skills to collaborate with colleagues across disciplines—and to help bring your engineering ideas to life.
Open to Cornell Engineering students and some majors in Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences and the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS).
Dyson business minor for life sciences
Prepare for leadership roles at the intersection of science and business. You’ll gain marketable skills through a simulation capstone.
Open to select majors in Arts and Sciences, Cornell Engineering, Cornell Human Ecology, and in CALS.
Specialized business minors
Dive deeper into the topics and issues that matter to you. Whether you’re interested in pursuing an exciting career in the fast-paced food and beverage industry, have a passion for real estate and urban living design, or want to use your degree to do business for good on the international stage, we have an option for you. Specialized minors are open to all Cornell undergraduates except students enrolled at the Dyson School.
Applied Economics
Gain a solid foundation in economics and build practical skills with a mix of core courses and industry-specific electives.
Entrepreneurship
Learn to think like a founder and develop a creative mindset. Get firsthand experience with studio courses and an innovative practicum.
International Markets and Development
Address pressing questions facing emerging economies around the world. You’ll have the option to research or study abroad.
Food and Agricultural Business
Discover more about food production and distribution in the United States and abroad, from dairy farms to the supermarket.
Real Estate
The Cornell Real Estate Minor prepares students for careers in investment, development, and finance, with global exposure through core courses, electives, and real-world experiences in hospitality, residential, and commercial real estate.
Sustainable Business and Economic Policy
Analyze the connections between the economy and the environment. Electives cover topics from green energy to social enterprise.
*The Cornell real estate minor is open to all Cornell undergraduates. Are you a Nolan School student interested in pursuing the real estate minor? Learn more about the minor.
Learn from faculty across SC Johnson College
Our business minors program is taught by distinguished faculty who are experienced professionals and scholars that bring real-world insights and academic expertise to the classroom. They are dedicated to helping students develop practical hands-on skills and a deep understanding of business concepts. Led by Denise Ramzy, the director of the minors program, these faculty members provide a carefully designed curriculum that offers students a unique advantage, going beyond the typical business minor.
Denise Ramzy
Senior Lecturer and Director of the Business Minors Program
“Business education is critical to success in almost every arena. Many learn informally through experience and often failure, but a business minor offers a formal head start that will open doors professionally; help you think analytically and strategically; and benefit you personally when it comes to your own finances and negotiations. We welcome you to the SC Johnson College community, which includes stellar faculty from the three schools — the Dyson School, Nolan School, and Johnson School.”
As program director, Ramzy works with faculty, staff, alumni, and partners to maintain a relevant curriculum and offer resources and opportunities beyond the traditional minor.
General business minors faculty
The following faculty members teach within our general business minors: Business Minor, Business Minor for Engineers, Dyson Business Minor for Life Sciences.
Specialty business minors faculty
The following faculty members teach within our specialty business minors: Applied Economics, Entrepreneurship, Food and Agricultural Business, International Markets and Development, Sustainable Business and Economic Policy.
Advising and student support
The Business Minors Program team is available to help you explore options, understand requirements, and navigate the declaration process. Whether you’re comparing minors, evaluating eligibility, or planning your coursework, our team can help you identify the option that best aligns with your interests and goals.
Students can connect with the program team for advising, guidance and support throughout their minor experience.
Jenny VanAtta
Business Minors Manager
As program manager, VanAtta works closely with the faculty director and various staff and faculty across campus to manage the day-to-day coordination of the minors program, and to provide a fulfilling experience for students while connecting them to the SC Johnson College of Business community. VanAtta is the first point of contact for students who are interested in pursuing a business minor. Students may reach out to the minors office at minors@business.cornell.edu or set up a brief advising appointment.
Ready to get started?
Once you’ve identified the best business minor option for you, it’s time to officially declare your intent. To get started, we encourage you to review our FAQs and policies. If you have questions about requirements or need assistance, the business minors team is here to help.