Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CERT)

Summary

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. 

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Degree

Certificate

Major Credits

16

Total Credits

16

Locations

Mankato

Career Cluster

Business, Management, and Administration

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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

The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual 4-Year plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.

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

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

Policies

Admissions

Certificate is open to all. Students who are Non-business majors or those not seeking a degree may take up to 24 credits in the College of Business.

Graduation Requirements

Students must earn a minimium 2.0 GPA in all classes in the certificate.