The Creator Economy minor gives Syracuse University students the first formal academic pathway into an industry still writing its own rules. Slated to begin in Fall 2026, the minor reflects the University’s commitment to preparing students for dynamic opportunities in an expanding sector of the economy, where creative entrepreneurs produce and monetize content across digital platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Substack.
Syracuse’s minor is distinguished by the integration of coursework from two of the country’s leading schools: the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the top-ranked Martin J. Whitman School of Management, which co-lead the Center for the Creator Economy. The minor also draws in electives from other schools and colleges across the University, including a Name, Image and Likeness class from the Falk College of Sport, and Music Industry Marketing and Media from the College of Visual and Performing Arts.
“The creator economy is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world, and Syracuse University is uniquely positioned to prepare students to lead in it. This minor brings together two of the country’s premier schools in communications and business to give students the skills, strategy and confidence to build something that lasts,” said Chancellor J. Michael Haynie. “That is exactly the kind of bold, interdisciplinary thinking that defines what we do here.”
Curriculum
The minor requires 18 credits, built around three required courses and a menu of electives:
- Introduction to the Creator Economy (Newhouse) — A survey of media industries and platforms, with an emphasis on the intersection of creators with brands, entertainment, sports, gaming, news, and music
- Business Toolkit for Creators (Whitman) — The business tools creators need, including monetization, strategic partnerships, and customer acquisition
- Entrepreneurship (choose one) — A hands-on course where students build their own creator startup: either Launchpad (Whitman) or New Media Venture Launch (Newhouse)
Students then choose three additional courses from a menu of electives matched to their career goals, with topics including entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises, electronic retailing and marketing, social media for communicators, and sports content for social platforms.
How to Declare
For questions about the minor and how to declare, contact either:
- Your home college academic adviser
- Minor coordinator Aileen Gallagher, Newhouse associate dean for academic affairs, at aegallag@syr.edu
Students must pass either introductory course (detailed above) before declaring the minor. Once you’ve passed, follow these steps:
- Submit the form to your home college academic adviser
- Go to eForms to obtain the Declaration of Minor Form
- Complete the form
- Obtain a signature from the minor coordinator (Newhouse associate dean Aileen Gallagher — aegallag@syr.edu)
- Sign and save the completed document as a PDF