This fall, the Marilyn Davies College of Business is launching Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in Entrepreneurship & Family Business and in Business Intelligence.
These two programs have been years in the making. The process of getting new degrees cleared requires significant faculty buy-in, extensive internal review, and approval from both the Texas Higher Education Board and the UH System Board of Regents.
The new programs represent not just new academic offerings, but University of Houston-Downtown’s commitment to preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving business world.
Management faculty designed the Entrepreneurship & Family Business degree with a clear mission: Empower small and family‑owned businesses with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive.
Unlike other Entrepreneurship programs, UHD’s new degree is intentionally grounded in the realities of small business ownership.
Approximately 90% of small businesses fail, often because owners lack foundational knowledge in accounting, marketing, and finance. The program’s structure reflects the practical challenges these business owners face. Students begin with Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship before moving into the four other core courses: Business Validation, Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, Fundamentals of Small Business Management, and Business Plan Development.
Many professors contributed to the creation of these courses, and Assistant Professor Fatemeh Askarzadeh, Ph.D., has played a central role in shaping the curriculum.
By fall 2027, the Management Department expects to start integrating hands‑on consulting projects with local businesses. Students may conduct market analyses, build business plans, or help owners understand cash‑flow projections. “We see the businesses surrounding campus as a lab for our students,” Management Chair Julio Canedo, Ph.D., said.
And although the program focuses on local businesses, it doesn’t ignore global forces. Canedo pointed out that even small enterprises are affected by international events—from fluctuating gas prices to supply chain disruptions. Students will learn to navigate an increasingly unpredictable economic landscape by analyzing trends, anticipating risks, and making data‑driven decisions.
Learn more about the BBA in Entrepreneurship & Family Business by clicking here.
And if you missed it last week, you can read about the other new BBA in Business Intelligence.