Minors at AKSOB
All LAU students are eligible to apply for one or more of the minors listed below.
The flowchart below outlines the procedures students must follow to meet the eligibility requirements and complete their chosen minor(s).
Minor in Data Analytics
To qualify for the Minor in data Analytics, students will need to complete 18 credits total distributed as follows:
Core Requirements (6 credits)
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|---|---|---|
|
BDA211 |
Introduction to Applied Data Analytics |
3 |
|
Students must choose one of the below courses: |
||
|
BDA311 |
Data Driven Design Thinking |
3 |
|
BDA401 |
Methodologies and Model Building in Data Analytics |
3 |
Elective courses (12 credits)
Four electives are to be chosen from the following:
Department of Information Technology and Operations Management |
||
|---|---|---|
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|
ITM232 |
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Analytics |
3 |
|
ITM302 |
Data and Information Management |
3 |
|
ITM402 |
Business Intelligence |
3 |
|
ITM403 |
Information Technology Project Management |
3 |
|
MGT401 |
Project Management |
3 |
|
MKT488 |
Topics in Marketing: Market/Consumer Analytics |
3 |
Department of Communication Arts |
||
|---|---|---|
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|
JSC222 |
Digital Media Design |
3 |
|
JSC224 |
Social Media |
3 |
|
JSC314 |
Data and Society |
3 |
|
JSC434 |
Data Journalism |
3 |
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics |
||
|---|---|---|
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|
BIF244 |
Introduction to Script Programming |
3 |
|
BIF524 |
Data Mining |
3 |
|
CSC375 |
Database Management Systems |
3 |
|
CSC498 |
Topics in Computer Science: Data Visualization |
3 |
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering |
||
|---|---|---|
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|
COE418 |
Database Systems |
3 |
|
COE543 |
Intelligent Data Processing and Applications |
3 |
|
COE544 |
Intelligent Engineering Algorithms |
|
Minor in Hospitality and Tourism
Minor in Hospitality and Tourism:
To qualify for the Minor in Hospitality and Tourism Management, students will need to complete 18 credits total distributed as follows:
Core Requirements (18 credits)
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|---|---|---|
|
HOM 202 |
Hospitality and Tourism Management |
3 |
|
HOM 203 |
Food and Beverage Concept Development |
3 |
|
HOM 205 |
Lodging Management and Operations |
3 |
|
HOM 217 |
Housekeeping Management and Operations |
1 |
|
HOM 231 |
Wine, Spirits and Cigars |
1 |
|
HOM 239 |
Business Etiquette and Protocol |
1 |
|
HOM 250 |
Food Preparation I |
3 |
|
HOM 321 |
Tourism Economic and Cultural Impact |
3 |
Minor in Business
To qualify for the Minor in Business, students will need to complete 18 credits total described as follows:
Economics Students: Students pursuing a BS in Economics are required to complete three core courses that are common with the BS in Business Program. To qualify for the Minor in Business, Economics students will need to complete additional 3 courses (or 9 credits) in Business as outlined below.
Required Business Courses (9 credits)
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|---|---|---|
|
ACC203 |
Financial Accounting |
3 |
|
FIN301 |
Managerial Finance |
3 |
|
MKT201 |
Introduction to Marketing |
3 |
Other Business Courses (9 credits) from the following list of possible courses, with at least one upper level course
| Course Number | Cr. |
|---|---|
|
ACC204 or ACC3— |
3 |
|
BUS2— or BUS3— |
3 |
|
FIN3— |
3 |
|
ITM2—or ITM3— |
3 |
|
MGT3— |
3 |
|
MKT3— |
3 |
|
OPM3— |
3 |
Hospitality Students: Students pursuing a BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management are required to complete Six core courses that are common with the BS in Business Program. To qualify for the Minor in Business, Hospitality and Tourism students will need to take additional 2 courses (or 6 credits) in Business as outlined below:
Required Business Courses (18 credits)
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|---|---|---|
|
ACC203 |
Financial Accounting |
3 |
|
BUS213 |
Business Law & Ethics |
3 |
|
FIN301 |
Managerial Finance |
3 |
|
MKT201 |
Introduction to Marketing |
3 |
|
QBA201 |
Business Statistics |
3 |
|
MGT441 |
Human Resources Management |
3 |
Other Business Courses (9 credits) from the following list of possible courses, with at least one upper level course
| Course Number | Cr. |
|---|---|
|
ACC204 or ACC3— |
3 |
|
BUS3— |
3 |
|
FIN3— |
3 |
|
ITM2—or ITM3— |
3 |
|
MGT3— |
3 |
|
MKT3— |
3 |
|
OPM3— |
3 |
Minor in Economics
Why Minor in Economics?
If you wish to get an excellent foundation in economic theories and the dynamics of the world market, and to be able to mix this knowledge with your primary field, then you should consider the minor in economics.
The minor is academically attractive to students in many majors such as engineering, computer science, mathematics, political science, history and pharmacy. It increases students’ chances of employment in many areas where their primary fields of study interact with economics.
The curriculum also provides ideal preparation for graduate work in Economics for those coming from quantitative scientific fields (e.g. physics, math, computer science, engineering) or for graduate work in multidisciplinary fields related to undergraduate studies in different fields such as Financial Engineering, Construction and Engineering Management and Economics, Pharmaco-economics, Health Economics and Political Economy.
Minor Course Requirements
To obtain the Minor in Economics, students will complete 18 credits.
Business Students: Students pursuing BS in Business, are required to complete two core courses that are common with the BS in Economic Program. To qualify for the Minor in Economics, Business students will need to complete additional 4 courses (or 12 credits) in Economics courses as outlined below.
Required Economics Courses (12 credits)
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|---|---|---|
|
ECO201 |
Microeconomics |
3 |
|
ECO202 |
Macroeconomics |
3 |
|
ECO305 |
Intermediate Microeconomics |
3 |
|
ECO306 |
Intermediate Macroeconomics |
3 |
Other Economics Courses (6 credits) from the following list of possible courses
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|---|---|---|
|
ECO304 |
Mathematical Methods for Economics |
3 |
|
ECO311 |
Economic Development |
3 |
|
ECO320 |
Environmental, Resource and Energy Economics |
3 |
|
ECO332 |
Introductory Econometrics |
4 |
|
ECO333 |
Comparative Economics Systems |
3 |
|
ECO335 |
International Economics |
3 |
|
ECO342 |
Labor and Human Resource Economics |
3 |
|
ECO344 |
Economics, Ethics and Philosophy |
3 |
|
ECO346 |
Foundations of Political Economy |
3 |
|
ECO420 |
Monetary Theory and Policy |
3 |
|
ECO422 |
Public Finance |
3 |
|
ECO402 |
Special Topics in Economics |
3 |
Hospitality Students: Students pursuing BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management have to complete a total of 15 credits above their Social Science requirements. They are required to take either ECO201 or ECO202.
Required Social Science Course (3 credits)
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|---|---|---|
|
ECO201 or ECO202 |
Microeconomics or Macroeconomics |
3 |
| Required Economics Courses (9 credits) | ||
|
ECO201 or ECO202 |
Microeconomics or Macroeconomics |
3 |
|
ECO305 |
Intermediate Microeconomics |
3 |
|
ECO306 |
Intermediate Macroeconomics |
3 |
Other Economics Courses (6 credits) from the following list of possible courses
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|---|---|---|
|
ECO304 |
Mathematical Methods for Economics |
3 |
|
ECO311 |
Economic Development |
3 |
|
ECO320 |
Environmental, Resource and Energy Economics |
3 |
|
ECO332 |
Introductory Econometrics |
4 |
|
ECO333 |
Comparative Economics Systems |
3 |
|
ECO335 |
International Economics |
3 |
|
ECO342 |
Labor and Human Resource Economics |
3 |
|
ECO344 |
Economics, Ethics and Philosophy |
3 |
|
ECO346 |
Foundations of Political Economy |
3 |
|
ECO420 |
Monetary Theory and Policy |
3 |
|
ECO422 |
Public Finance |
3 |
|
ECO402 |
Special Topics in Economics |
3 |
Minor in Digital Marketing
Why Minor in Digital Marketing?
The Minor in Digital Marketing at the Lebanese American University (LAU) empowers students from diverse academic backgrounds to thrive in today’s fast-paced digital economy.
Designed to complement majors in business, communication, media, and technology, the program offers a dynamic blend of theoretical insight and hands-on experience. Students will master essential tools and strategies in content creation, social media, SEO, analytics, and digital advertising, gaining industry-recognized certifications along the way.
With Lebanon and the MENA region experiencing rapid digital growth, this minor addresses a critical skills gap and enhances career readiness. Through interdisciplinary learning and potential partnerships with digital agencies and startups, LAU positions its graduates to lead innovative marketing efforts across sectors.
The program reflects LAU’s commitment to future-focused education and regional economic advancement.
Minor Course Requirements
For a Minor in Digital Marketing, students must complete a minimum of 18 credits, distributed as follows:
- Non-business students: 9 core credits (MKT 201 – Introduction to Marketing, MKT 312 –Digital Marketing, MKT 332 – Social Media Marketing) + 9 elective credits
- Business students: 6 core credits (MKT 312 – Digital Marketing, MKT 332 – Social Media Marketing) + 9 elective credits
- Business Marketing Students: 3 core credits (MKT 332 - Social Media Marketing) + 6 elective credits
Core Requirements
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|---|---|---|
| MKT 201 | Introduction to Marketing | 3 |
| MKT 312 | Digital Marketing | 3 |
| MKT 332 | Social Media Marketing | 3 |
ELECTIVE COURSES (9 CREDITS)
Plus, choose 9 elective credits from the following:
Department of Communication
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|---|---|---|
| COM226 | Principles of Advertising | 3 |
| COM430 | Writing for Advertising and PR | 3 |
| JSC222 | Digital Media Design | 3 |
| JSC224 | Social Media | 3 |
| TVF303 | Mastering Social Media: From Branding to Presence | 3 |
| TVF403 | Streaming and Digital Broadcasting | 3 |
Department of Management Studies
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|---|---|---|
| FEM312 | Digital Entrepreneurship | 3 |
Foundation Program – School of Architecture and Design (SArD)
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|---|---|---|
| FND251 | Digital Media | 3 |
Department of Graphic Design
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|---|---|---|
| GRDE313 | Advertising Design | 3 |
| GRDE340 | Branding |
Department of Information Technology Management
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|---|---|---|
| ITM303 | Digital Transformation for Business | 3 |
Department of Marketing
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|---|---|---|
| MKT307 | Digital Consumer Behavior | 3 |
| MKT313 | Digital Marketing Analytics | 3 |
| MKT314 | E-Commerce Marketing | 3 |
| MKT315 | Search Engine Optimization and Marketing | 3 |
| MKT330 | Artificial Intelligence in Marketing | 3 |
| MKT334 | Influencer Marketing and Content Creation | 3 |
- A business student needs to complete 15 credits to declare a Minor in Digital Marketing (as MKT201 is a core course for all business students).
- To fulfill the requirements of a minor, a student must complete at least nine additional elective credits related to the minor from outside their program of study.
Minor in Fashion Marketing
Why Minor in Fashion Marketing?
The Minor in Fashion Marketing at Lebanese American University (LAU) addresses the growing demand for specialized marketing skills within the dynamic global and regional fashion industry. This minor equips students from multiple disciplines—including business, fashion design, media, and communication—with the strategic, creative, and analytical tools needed to build and promote fashion brands effectively. It caters to those seeking to commercialize creative talents or pursue careers and entrepreneurial ventures in fashion marketing and luxury brand management.
The program offers a robust foundation in marketing principles tailored specifically to fashion, emphasizing brand positioning, consumer behavior, digital campaigns, retail strategy, and the cultural influence of fashion. Students are instructed in designing integrated marketing campaigns that incorporate storytelling, visual aesthetics, and digital engagement, while also considering ethical, environmental, and social dimensions such as sustainability and diversity. Through experiential learning and team projects, students acquire practical skills necessary to address real-world challenges and trends in fashion marketing.
Considering the limited availability of fashion marketing education in Lebanon and the MENA region, this minor plays a vital role in bridging a significant gap by preparing graduates who are ready to support the regional expansion of fashion brands and platforms. Moreover, it aligns with LAU’s collaborations with esteemed fashion entities, thereby enhancing students’ career opportunities in a highly competitive and culturally significant industry.
In summary, the Minor in Fashion Marketing combines academic excellence with industry relevance, empowering students to excel as innovative marketers and strategic leaders amidst the evolving landscape of fashion.
Minor Course Requirements
To obtain the Minor in Fashion Marketing, the student would have to complete a total of 18 credits distributed as follows:
The Minor in Fashion Marketing at the Lebanese American University (LAU) offers a unique opportunity for students to merge creative expression with strategic marketing expertise.
Building on LAU’s renowned BFA in Fashion Design in collaboration with Elie Saab, this program deepens the university’s role in the fashion ecosystem by preparing students to navigate the global fashion industry.
Designed for students in business, fashion design, media, and communication, the minor provides essential skills in branding, consumer behavior, digital campaigns, and retail strategy. It fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and enhances career readiness in both luxury and mass-market segments.
By aligning with Lebanon’s cultural heritage and fashion legacy, the program positions LAU as a regional leader in fashion education, empowering graduates to launch ventures, join global brands, or shape the future of fashion marketing.
Core Requirements (9 credits)
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|---|---|---|
| MKT 201 | Introduction to Marketing | 3 |
| MKT 304 | Consumer Behavior | 3 |
| MKT 325 | Fashion Marketing | 3 |
ELECTIVE COURSES (9 CREDITS)
Choose courses from the following:
Department of Art and Design (DA&D)
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|---|---|---|
| ART375 | Fashion Photography | 3 |
| FAS593 | Fashion Show | 3 |
| FAS491 | Fashion Entrepreneurship* | 3 |
| GRDE317 | Design Management | 3 |
| GRDE340 | Branding | 3 |
Department of Management Studies
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|---|---|---|
| FEM322 | Entrepreneurial Marketing* | 3 |
Department of Marketing
| Number | Course | Cr. |
|---|---|---|
| MKT 302 | Integrated Marketing Communications | 3 |
| MKT 310 | Retail Marketing Strategy | 3 |
| MKT 312 | Digital Marketing | 3 |
| MKT320 | Marketing for Entrepreneurs* | 3 |
| MKT322 | Fashion Buying & Trend Forecasting | 3 |
| MKT324 | Luxury & Fashion Branding | 3 |
| MKT326 | Psychology of Fashion & Luxury Goods | 3 |
| MKT331 | Event and Entertainment Marketing | 3 |
| MKT334 | Influencer Marketing & Content Creation | 3 |
For a Minor in Fashion Marketing, students must complete a minimum of 18 credits, distributed as follows:
- Non-business students: 9 credits core (MKT 201 – Introduction to Marketing, MKT 304 – Consumer Behavior, and MKT 325 – Fashion Marketing) + 9 elective credits
- Business students: 6 credits core (MKT 304 – Consumer Behavior and MKT 325 – Fashion Marketing) + 9elective credits
- Business Marketing Students: 3 credits core (MKT 325 – Fashion Marketing) + 6 elective credits
* Students should register for only one of these three courses, as they cover similar or equivalent content. The choice depends on the department or school in which the student is minoring in Fashion Marketing. This arrangement offers students greater flexibility in course options and scheduling.
Note:
- Business students must complete 15 credits to declare a Minor in Fashion Marketing (as MKT201 Contemporary Marketing is a core course for all business students).
- To fulfill the minor requirements, a student must complete at least nine additional elective credits related to the minor from outside their program of study.
Minor in AI in Business
This minor is offered by the Department of Information Technology and Operations Management.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the future of business. From transforming business models and streamlining operations to enhancing customer experiences and supporting strategic decision-making, AI has become a critical driver of innovation and competitive advantage across industries. As organizations increasingly integrate AI into their operations, they are seeking business professionals who can combine strong business knowledge with the ability to strategically apply AI to solve real-world challenges and create organizational value.
The growing importance of AI skills is reflected in the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, which identifies AI and big data as the fastest-growing skill areas for the 2025–2030 period, surpassing demand for competencies such as cybersecurity, technological literacy, leadership, and analytical thinking. This global trend underscores the rapid shift toward intelligent automation, data-driven decision-making, and AI-enabled business transformation, creating unprecedented career opportunities for graduates with expertise at the intersection of business and AI.
The AI for Business Minor is designed to prepare students for this evolving business landscape by equipping them with the knowledge and practical skills needed to integrate AI into core business functions, including finance, marketing, operations, strategic management, and decision support. Unlike programs that focus primarily on the technical development of AI algorithms, this minor emphasizes the strategic application of AI in business contexts, enabling students to leverage AI technologies to improve decision-making, automate business processes, generate customer insights, and foster innovation in products, services, and business models.
Students will also develop an understanding of responsible AI adoption, ethical governance, and effective collaboration with technical teams, preparing them to lead AI-driven initiatives while ensuring that AI technologies are implemented responsibly and sustainably. By combining business expertise with AI literacy and practical applications, graduates of the minor will be well positioned to lead digital transformation efforts and contribute to organizations that increasingly rely on intelligent technologies to achieve long-term success.
Target Audience
The minor is open to undergraduate students majoring in:
The minor is open to undergraduate students across all majors, programs, and schools at LAU
Other disciplines interested in Business and seeking future-ready digital skills
No prior programming background is required. The curriculum follows a progressive, applied learning approach suitable for business students.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the minor, students will be able to:
1. Explain core AI concepts and their applications in business contexts.
2. Use AI and analytics tools to generate insights and support decision-making.
3. Analyze and evaluate AI-enabled business process transformation initiatives.
4. Apply principles of responsible and ethical AI use in organizational settings.
5. Communicate AI-based recommendations effectively to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Minor Course Requirements
To obtain a Minor in AI in Business, students must complete a minimum of 18 credits, distributed as follows:
Core Requirements (9 credits)
|
Course |
Title |
Credits |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
BDA214 |
AI for Business |
3 |
||
|
BDA401 |
Applied Machine Learning for Business |
3 |
||
|
BDA215 |
Responsible & Ethical AI in Organizations |
3 |
||
Elective Courses (6 credits)
Students may select up to 6 credits from the courses in the student’s discipline related to AI.
I. ITOM Electives
|
Course |
Title |
Credits |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
BDA312 |
AI-Driven Process Automation |
3 |
|
|
ITM402 |
AI-enabled Business Intelligence |
3 |
|
|
BDA403 |
NLP & Conversational AI in Business |
3 |
|
|
ITM398B |
AI-enabled Web Design and Development |
3 |
|
II. Business Electives
|
Course |
Title |
Credits |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
FIN401M |
Seminar: Finance Frontiers: Innovations in Machine Learning and Blockchain |
3 |
|
|
MGT450Q |
Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Management |
3 |
|
|
MKT330 |
Artificial Intelligence in Marketing |
3 |
|
|
ACC214 |
Managerial Accounting and AI Decision Support |
3 |
|
III. School of Arts and Sciences – Bioinformatics Electives
|
Course |
Title |
Credits |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
BIF515 |
Machine Learning |
3 |
|
IV. School of Arts and Sciences – Computer Science Electives
|
Course |
Title |
Credits |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
CSC462 |
Fundamentals of Deep Learning |
3 |
|
|
CSC463 |
Introduction to Data Science |
3 |
|
V. School of Engineering- Computer Engineering Electives
|
Course
|
Title |
Credits |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
COE546 |
Machine Learning |
3 |
|
|
COE547 |
Deep Learning |
3 |
|
|
COE548 |
Large Language Models |
3 |
|
VI. School of Engineering- Industrial Engineering Electives
|
Course
|
Title |
Credits |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
INE599P |
Data Analytics using R Language |
3 |
|
VII. School of Engineering- Mechanical Engineering Electives
|
Course |
Title |
Credits |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
MEE532 |
Advanced Manufacturing and AI |
3 |
|
Minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Why Minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship?
The Minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship equips undergraduate students with the knowledge, mindset, and practical skills to identify opportunities, develop innovative solutions, and create sustainable value. Combining academic rigor with experiential learning, the program enables students to transform ideas into viable ventures through hands-on projects, business model development, and real-world applications.
Open to students from all disciplines, the minor complements undergraduate studies by fostering creativity, critical thinking, and entrepreneurial problem-solving. Students learn how to recognize market opportunities, validate ideas, develop business models, and understand the financial and strategic considerations involved in launching and growing new ventures.
Graduates are prepared to lead innovation across startups, family businesses, corporations, and social enterprises while strengthening their career readiness and laying a foundation for graduate study. Aligned with AACSB’s Innovation, Engagement and Impact framework, the program emphasizes academic excellence, experiential learning, industry engagement, and meaningful societal impact.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completing the Minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, students will be able to:
- Identify and evaluate innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities.
- Design, test, and refine innovative business models.
- Apply entrepreneurial finance and venture valuation tools to early-stage ventures.
- Demonstrate ethical decision-making and responsible leadership in entrepreneurial settings.
- Communicate business ideas effectively to diverse audiences.
Minor Requirements
To earn a Minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, students must complete a minimum of 18 credits, distributed as follows.
Core Requirements (9 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FEM312 | Digital Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| MGT411 | Innovation and Entrepreneurship & Start-up Lab | 3 |
| FEM333 | Entrepreneurial Finance and Venture Valuation | 3 |
Elective Requirements (9 credits)
Students must complete three elective courses from the following list.
Department of Management Studies
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FEM301 | Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management | 3 |
| FEM322 | Entrepreneurial Marketing | 3 |
| FEM410 | Corporate Governance | 3 |
| FEM324 | Social Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| FEM411 | Family Governance, Succession Planning and Sustainability | 3 |
| FEM488 | Special Topics: Frontiers in Entrepreneurship | 3 |
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GNE340 | Engineering Entrepreneurship | 3 |
School of Arts and Sciences
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LAS302 | Inquiry for Innovation | 3 |