Academic Minors
Business minor students at the Robert H. Smith School of Business learn to lead fearlessly through academic and real-world opportunities. This innovative minor program develops the skills you'll need to thrive in a global economy and to stand out in a fiercely competitive job market. Expand your network by connecting with current and former Smith minor students, and gain a new perspective by learning alongside students from every college on campus.
Business Analytics
Applications open in December 2024.
The availability of massive amounts of data has created the need for business analytics professionals who can analyze such data and obtain the insight needed for informed decision-making. This allows an organization to gain a competitive edge in today’s dynamic business environment. The minor integrates technology with statistical and quantitative modeling techniques to provide students with the foundation needed for data-driven decision-making, as well as for graduate study in the field of business analytics. Students with these skills are in high demand in a variety of industries and sectors including marketing, finance, information systems, operations, health care and energy.
Equipped with a solid technical foundation in data analysis and model-driven management decision-making, graduates of the minor will be prepared for successful careers in this growing field.
Faculty Director
Kazim Ruhi
Student Qualifications
The Smith Business Analytics minor is a 15-credit academic program. Students interested in applying to the Smith minors must meet the following criteria:
- Current UMD College Park undergraduate (all majors) with four remaining semesters once admitted.
- Completed a minimum of 45 credits at the university level, with a minimum of 12 credits at the University of Maryland.
- Achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Flexibility to complete 15 total credits in two minor categories (a) Core [required courses] and (b) Electives [choice of two total courses].
Application Process
The business analytics minor at Smith opens applications each spring. Students who wish to add the minor should do so at least four semesters before graduation. Those applying to the program will provide general information, answer essay questions, and submit the contact information of a University of Maryland, College Park faculty member to provide a recommendation.
- To apply students must complete the minor online application form.
- Faculty or TA Reference: Students should provide ONE EMAIL ADDRESS ONLY for a faculty or graduate-level teaching assistant from UMD (past or present) who can speak to their experiences as students in the classroom. References DO NOT need to provide a letter or complete any forms. The admissions committee will reach out to references on an as-needed basis if they have questions about a student.
- Course Plan: Upload a four-semester course plan into your online application.
Students are welcome to apply for more than one Smith minor program and will be asked to indicate their preferred program on the application.
The business analytics minor is a total of 15 credits including three required courses and two approved electives. A grade of C- or better is required in all minor courses. Consult Testudo for course restrictions.
Students may use a maximum of six credits (or two courses) to satisfy the requirements of any major listed on university records with any minor. Additionally, courses completed in one minor may not be used to satisfy the requirements of another minor.
Pre-requisite Courses: BMGT110, BMGT230 (or equivalent), MATH120 (or equivalent). BMGT110 is not required prior to application but must be completed in order to graduate with the minor.
Computational Finance
Applications open in December 2024.
The Computational Finance minor includes a total of 15 credits and is available to Computer Science majors with 60 credits. The Minor in Computational Finance will provide students with proficiency in applying analytical models and machine learning methods to solve challenging financial tasks. The Minor will introduce students to tasks and real-world datasets used across the financial industry. The Minor will equip students with the skills needed for positions in the financial industry (banking and investment) or with financial regulators (SEC, FINRA, Fannie Mae, etc.) or to explore innovative opportunities in the Financial Technology (FinTech) industry.
The notation will comprise fifteen credits (five courses) that can be completed over four semesters.
Program Learning Outcomes:
- Proficiency in manipulating financial datasets.
- The application of analytical models and machine learning algorithms to challenging financial problems.
- A capstone project with academic and industry mentors that will include significant modeling and analysis against a real-world financial dataset.
Faculty Directors
Albert “Pete” Kyle
Student Qualifications
The Smith Computational Finance Minor is a two-year academic minor program. Students interested in applying to the program must meet the following criteria:
- Current UMD College Park Computer Science undergraduate with 60 credits
- Achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Proficiency in Python including Pandas, Numpy, Scipy, and Matplotlib.
- Strong quantitative skills and familiarity with calculus and matrix algebra (ie, MATH240 and MATH241).
- Completed STAT400. Knowledge of probability, statistics, and econometric modeling
- [Recommended] Completed CMSC320 or DATA320 or enrolled concurrently with BUFN400.
- Demonstrated knowledge of financial terminology and concepts. The terminology handbook will be provided before BUFN400.
- Flexibility in course plan to complete 15 total credits by expected graduation date.
Application Process
The Computational Finance minor applications open each December through February. Students will be notified of their final admission status before registration for the following fall semester and will be asked to submit an acceptance form to confirm their decision to add the program.
- To apply, students must complete the minor online application form. The application asks students to provide general academic information and answer essay questions.
- Provide a faculty or TA reference: Students should provide ONE EMAIL ADDRESS ONLY for a faculty or graduate-level teaching assistant from UMD (past or present) who can speak to their experiences as students in the classroom. References DO NOT need to provide a letter or complete any forms. The admissions committee will reach out to references on an as-needed basis if they have questions about a student.
Students are welcome to apply for more than one Smith minor program and will be asked to indicate their preferred program on the application.
The Computational Finance (CF) minor is a total of 15 credits including three required courses and two approved electives. A grade of C- or better is required in all minor courses. Consult Testudo for course restrictions.
Computer Science majors may use 8-12 credits from the CF minor to satisfy the requirements of the CS upper-level elective concentration for the CS major. Additionally, courses completed in one minor may not be used to satisfy the requirements of another minor.
Note: Finance majors should work with their Smith academic advisor. CS majors should work with their CS academic advisor.
Pre-requisite Courses: Students must have completed or will be taking CMSC250 and CMSC351 in the fall semester of the minor program start.
Recommended Courses: MATH240 or MATH241, CMSC320.
Co-requisite: Completion of Python Bootcamp in the summer before the program starts.
General Business
Declare the General Business Minor
The Smith general business minor is an inclusive multidisciplinary academic minor. This newly redesigned online and asynchronous program offers students unique knowledge and a wide range of skills that can be used to gain a competitive edge in their career search and enterprise creation.
Note: The general business minor is not open to declared business majors.
Faculty Director
Nicole M. Coomber
Admission Process
The Smith General Business Minor program admits eligible students on a rolling basis. To declare the minor, students must complete an online form. Eligible students will be notified of their status within 30 days of form submission. Newly enrolled minor students should plan to begin courses in the following semester if the minor is declared after the current semester's schedule adjustment period.
Student Qualifications
The Smith General Business Minor is an academic program designed for UMD College Park undergraduates. To declare this minor, students must meet the following criteria:
- Be a current UMD College Park undergraduate (any major) with at least one academic year (two semesters) remaining.
- Have completed a minimum of 12 credits at the University of Maryland.
- Have achieved a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Be able to complete 15 total credits of required coursework.
Students are encouraged to apply to multiple Smith minor programs and will be asked to indicate their preferred program on the application.
The general business minor is a total of 15 credits including four required courses and one approved elective. A grade of C- or better is required in all minor courses. Consult Testudo for course restrictions.
Students may use a maximum of six credits (or two courses) to satisfy the requirements of any major listed on university records with any minor. Additionally, courses completed in one minor may not be used to satisfy the requirements of another minor.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Applications open in December 2024.
The Innovation Entrepreneurship minor is a total of 15 credits, including three required courses, and two elective majors from a prescribed list. A grade of C- or better is required in all minor courses. Consult Testudo for course restrictions.
Faculty Director
Brent Goldfarb
Admission Process
The innovation & entrepreneurship minor program admits new students each spring. Online applications are available from December to February. Those applying to the program will provide general information, answer essay questions, and submit the contact information of a University of Maryland, College Park faculty member to provide a recommendation. Upon review of applications, students will be notified of their final status prior to the registration period for the fall semester.
Student Qualifications
The innovation & entrepreneurship minor is an experiential academic minor program. Students interested in applying to the Smith minors must meet the following criteria:
- Current UMD College Park undergraduate (all majors) with at least 4 remaining semesters once admitted.
- Attained a minimum of 12 credits at the University of Maryland.
- Achieved a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Flexibility to complete 15 total credits in required coursework.
Application Requirements
- To apply students must complete the minor online application form.
- Faculty or TA Reference: Students should provide ONE EMAIL ADDRESS ONLY for a faculty or graduate-level teaching assistant from UMD (past or present) who can speak to their experiences as students in the classroom. References DO NOT need to provide a letter or complete any forms. The admissions committee will reach out to references on an as-needed basis if they have questions about a student.
- Course Plan: Upload a semester course plan into your online application.
Selection Criteria
Admission into the Smith School’s business minor program is competitive. To be selected for the program, students will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Overall/total cumulative GPA, and information from previous institutions may be used in evaluating your application
- Demonstrated commitment to growth and development through the study of business or innovation and entrepreneurship concepts.
Students are welcome to apply for more than one Smith minor program and will be asked to indicate their preferred program on the application.
The Innovation Entrepreneurship minor is a total of 15 credits including five required courses from a prescribed list. A grade of C- or better is required in all minor courses. Consult Testudo for course restrictions.
Students may use a maximum of six credits (or two courses) to satisfy the requirements of any major listed on university records with any minor. Additionally, courses completed in one minor may not be used to satisfy the requirements of another minor.
Program Staff
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Smith minor programs open to students of other University of Maryland campuses?
No. Admission to the Smith Minor Programs is limited to undergraduate students, enrolled at the College Park campus.
Can students who are admitted to a Smith minor transfer to the Robert H. Smith School of Business major program?
The Smith Business minor programs are not considered preparation for transfer into the Robert H. Smith School of Business major program. Students seeking to transfer into the Smith School major must apply via the official transfer process. Learn more.
Can I take Smith's minor courses without being enrolled in the minor?
No. Smith minor courses are restricted to fully admitted minor program students.
As a minor student, can I take any Smith School course offering?
Smith minor students can only enroll in courses within the Smith minor curriculum.
Will I have access to the Smith career services and other related services as a Smith minor student?
No. Smith's career center services and associated career fairs are a dedicated resource for the Smith School's major students.
How can I assess my chances of admission to the Smith minors?
Each year, the general business minor welcomes 250 students, the innovation & entrepreneurship minor welcomes 180 and the business analytics minor welcomes 65 students. If you have questions about admissions, please email us at smithminors@umd.edu. We recommend prospective students attend the information sessions offered prior to the application deadline.
Will I be admitted if I complete all the admission criteria and have at least a 2.0 overall grade point average?
Admission to Smith minors is a competitive holistic process for a limited number of spaces. Therefore a 2.0 overall grade point average does not guarantee admission to the minor programs.
How do I register for required business minor courses after I’m admitted?
Admitted students will be notified with enrollment instructions. Expect to enroll for coursework during the early registration period each semester.
What is the admissions timeline for business minors?
Applications are accepted until the set deadline in February of each spring. Students will be notified of admission decisions before spring early registration for fall classes.
The Smith School minor will be posted on a student's academic transcript, but not on the diploma. The following requirements must be met for the completion of the minor:
- The minor requires no fewer than 15 academic credits, with at least nine credits at the upper level (300- or 400-level courses)
- The student may use a maximum of six credits to satisfy the requirements of both a major and a minor
- Courses completed in one minor may not be used to satisfy the requirements in another minor
- No more than two of the required foundation courses (or six credits) may be taken at an institution other than the University of Maryland, College Park
- At least six upper-division credits applied to the minor must be taken at this university
- No course with an earned grade below "C-" may count towards a business minor
- In some cases, departments requiring majors to have supporting courses may wish to allow students to substitute an appropriate minor course for the supporting course requirement
As a UMD transfer student, are my grades and credits from previous institutions considered for minor program admission?
Yes. Grades from transferable coursework to the University of Maryland will be considered in the application review process. The minor admission committee will obtain applicant transcripts through the UMD Registrar’s Office.
Can I take any of the required Smith minor courses with the pass/fail or audit grading method?
No. All Smith minor program courses should be taken using the regular grading method.
Do I have to take all minor courses at the University of Maryland, College Park?
Yes. Students must earn all the minor’s program of study and experiential courses from the UMD campus. There will be no exceptions allowed for transfer courses to meet these requirements.
Can I take any required Smith minor courses at another college or university?
There is an allowance for transfer coursework of the foundation courses. A maximum of 6 credits will be allowed to transfer.
| Foundation Courses | Approved Alternative Smith Courses |
| BMGT 210 Accounting | BMGT 220 & 221 Principles of Accounting I & II |
| BMGT 345 Finance | BMGT 340 Business Finance |
| BMGT 355 Marketing | BMGT 350 Marketing Principles and Organization |
| BMGT395 Management | BMGT 364 Managing People and Organizations |
Please refer to the UMD Transfer Credit Services database. If courses from your previous institution transfer to the University of Maryland College Park, and if they are equivalent to approved alternative courses then you will be waved from the foundation course(s).