This is a brand new version of our previous "Innovation: The Digital Entrepreneur" Program. The Technology Entrepreneurship minor is expected to be available to students beginning Fall 2026. For questions about this program, please reach out to tac.advising@usc.edu

Technology Entrepreneurship

The Tech Entrepreneurship minor prepares students to design, prototype, and launch technology-driven products and ventures. Unlike traditional entrepreneurship programs that emphasize management or commercialization, this minor focuses on the hands-on technical skills, tools, and development processes used by modern startups. Students progress through a structured pathway that guides them from ideation to product design, validation, and venture creation.

Along the way, they gain experience with the tools and practices used in today’s tech ecosystem—including productivity platforms, wireframing and prototyping software, iterative design methods, and evidence-based venture testing. The minor supports a wide range of venture types and equips students with the technological foundation necessary to build and scale new technology-based startups.

Skills

High-tech product ideation and management
Development processes
Customer development
Digital marketing
Business models

Careers

Project manager
Consultant
Marketer
Business analyst

Requirements

All minors at USC need 16 units that only meet minor requirements and do not meet any other major, minor, or GE requirement.
All courses completed for your minor or specialization must be completed for a letter grade.
You must earn a 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA in the courses completed for your minor or specialization.
All specializations in TAC require 4 unique units that only meet specialization requirements and do not meet any other major, minor, or specialization requirements.

Minor (17-18 units)

Core requirements (11 units):

BUAD-301 “Technology Entrepreneurship” (3 units)
TAC-466 “Building the High Tech Startup” (4 units)
TAC-476 “Technologies for Interactive Marketing” (4 units)
[prerequisite: BUAD-301] prerequisite waivers can be approved for this course.

Elective (at least 6 units):

TAC-100 "Enhanced Productivity with AI"
TAC 125 "From Hackers to CEOs: Introduction to Information Security"
TAC 216 Applied Python
TAC 228 Computer-Aided Modeling for 3D Product Design
TAC 249 Introduction to Data Analytics
TAC 259 Basics of Artificial Intelligence [prerequisite: TAC-216]
TAC 308 Computer-Aided Design for Bio-Mechanical Systems
TAC-310 “Design for User Experience” (4 units)
TAC 348 "Making Smart Devices: Introduction to Electronics/Wearables" [prerequisite: TAC-115 or 116, TAC-165, CSCI-102, or equivalent coding course]
TAC-470 “Information Technology Practicum” (*1-4 units)

Substitutions:

The following courses are also pre-approved electives for the minor. If you enroll in one of the following courses, please email our academic advisors so that they can update your STARS report. Substitution courses are not automatically applied to your minor requirements, so you will need to ask our academic advisors to make the change for you.

Specialization (11 units)

Core requirements (8 units):

TAC-466 “Building the High Tech Startup” (4 units)
TAC-476 “Technologies for Interactive Marketing” (4 units)

Elective (at least 4 units):

TAC-100 "Enhanced Productivity with AI"
TAC 125 "From Hackers to CEOs: Introduction to Information Security"
TAC 216 Applied Python
TAC 228 Computer-Aided Modeling for 3D Product Design
TAC 249 Introduction to Data Analytics
TAC 259 Basics of Artificial Intelligence [prerequisite: TAC-216]
TAC 308 Computer-Aided Design for Bio-Mechanical Systems
TAC-310 “Design for User Experience” (4 units)
TAC 348 "Making Smart Devices: Introduction to Electronics/Wearables" [prerequisite: TAC-115 or 116, TAC-165, CSCI-102, or equivalent coding course]
TAC-470 “Information Technology Practicum” (*1-4 units)

Sample Course Plan

Use the chart below to plan your course schedule to complete your minor. Pay careful attention to prerequisites. Make sure you consult with your major advisor about how best to incorporate the requirements for your minor with your major and general education requirements.

Please contact our academic advisors with questions about course sequencing, departmental clearance and course substitutions.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

"The most valuable courses I took in college were in the ITP department. As a future dentist, skills in digital marketing and entrepreneurship are critical to a successful practice. The ITP department provided me with practical skills that apply to all fields. Each class I took built on the previous one. Skills I learned in User Experience/Design built a foundation for creating effective marketing content."

-Luis Vidaurri, B.S. Human Biology

Class of 2019

What our students and alumni say

Next steps

How can I add this program?

Apply online

Current USC students can use our online application to declare a minor or specialization. Your application will be processed within 4 to 9 business days, and you will be notified at your official USC email address of your admission to the program of your choice.

Complete your application >

Contact us with questions

If you have a question about the program, you're welcome to write to us or schedule an advisement appointment. We can help you navigate our program requirements and resources and refer you to other offices as needed.

Contact our advisors >