Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CERT)

Entrepreneurship and Innovation is designed to expose, engage, and support students in thinking and experiencing the processes, challenges, and opportunities associated with the interdisciplinary nature of beginning a new venture. 

The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Certificate will develop essential skills that foster an entrepreneurial mindset leading to creative problem-solving in a wide variety of contexts.
This program places a strong emphasis on looking at problems through the lens of an entrepreneur, whether starting a new venture, working in an existing company, or commercializing a passion. Students will learn to discover and engage with customers and stakeholders to build viable and feasible solutions to the world's most challenging issues.
 
  • Learn to use innovation and creativity to solve problems.
  • Learn to use the latest tools and techniques to engage with the market to find better solutions.
  • Learn to monetize and commercialize ideas, skills, and passions.

  • Open to any major
  • No course pre-requisites
  • Choose electives to fit your major

Program Requirements

Major Common Core

This course is designed to develop a students personal creativity and help a student identify the process of organizational innovation. The course is comprised of a combination of short lecture, in-class discussion of readings and videos, writing assignments, an elevator pitch and group activities.

Prerequisites: none

This course focuses primarily on pre-startup venture activities starting with the idea generation phase. Students will learn to use customer feedback to develop innovative solutions leading to new business model concepts. This course will utilize the latest venture development tools and techniques that assist entrepreneurs in creating value for a diverse group of customers. Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to engage with business professionals and entrepreneurs. All students are welcome and encouraged to enroll.

Prerequisites: none

This course focuses on startup and post-startup venture activities. Students who have achieved proof of concept with a venture idea will find this course helpful. Students will learn to evolve a business model concept into a sustainable, scalable venture in a variety of business sectors. Topics discussed include business operations, analysis, entrepreneurial finance, growth, and exit strategies. Students will also learn to present their venture ideas to interested stakeholders. The course will allow students to have the opportunity to engage with business professionals and entrepreneurs.

Prerequisites: none

This course focuses on connecting students to real-world entrepreneurs so that students can analyze current entrepreneurial issues.

Prerequisites: none

General Electives

Choose 6 Credit(s). Select courses related to interests advised by the entrepreneurship certificate advisor.

4-Year Plan

First Year

Fall - 9 Credits

This course is designed to develop a students personal creativity and help a student identify the process of organizational innovation. The course is comprised of a combination of short lecture, in-class discussion of readings and videos, writing assignments, an elevator pitch and group activities.

Prerequisites: none

This course focuses primarily on pre-startup venture activities starting with the idea generation phase. Students will learn to use customer feedback to develop innovative solutions leading to new business model concepts. This course will utilize the latest venture development tools and techniques that assist entrepreneurs in creating value for a diverse group of customers. Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to engage with business professionals and entrepreneurs. All students are welcome and encouraged to enroll.

Prerequisites: none

General Elective Course * 3 credits

Spring - 7 Credits

This course focuses on startup and post-startup venture activities. Students who have achieved proof of concept with a venture idea will find this course helpful. Students will learn to evolve a business model concept into a sustainable, scalable venture in a variety of business sectors. Topics discussed include business operations, analysis, entrepreneurial finance, growth, and exit strategies. Students will also learn to present their venture ideas to interested stakeholders. The course will allow students to have the opportunity to engage with business professionals and entrepreneurs.

Prerequisites: none

This course focuses on connecting students to real-world entrepreneurs so that students can analyze current entrepreneurial issues.

Prerequisites: none

General Elective Course * 3 credits