The professional Certificate in Innovation requires 12 s.h. of credit. Students must earn a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.75 in certificate coursework.

The certificate is open to individuals with a desire to build their innovation knowledge and skills. It is also open to current Iowa MBA Program students. Students in the Iowa MBA Program may complete the certificate as they work toward their degree; the certificate is designed to fit into the MBA curriculum allowing students to earn the MBA and the certificate without additional coursework.

This certificate provides students with skills that help them generate innovative solutions to problems, advance innovation within organizations, and develop new ventures. Innovation requires both an entrepreneurial mindset and an understanding of collaborative processes. Students learn to understand problems, identify new market opportunities, and develop solutions. They learn how organizations can become more agile and encourage innovation throughout the organization. Students also learn how to start and grow a new venture around an innovative idea. The certificate program of study leverages the strengths of the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship and the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurship Center (Iowa JPEC).

Certificate courses are offered online and select courses may occasionally be offered in Des Moines at the John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center (JMPEC).

Not all courses listed are regularly offered. Students should consult MyUI for course availability and/or discuss course offerings with their advisor.

The Certificate in Innovation requires the following coursework.

Course List

Course #	Title	Hours
All of these:
ENTR:9100	Entrepreneurship and Innovation	3
ENTR:9200	Entrepreneurial Finance	3
ENTR:9450	Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation	3
One of these:
ENTR:9300	Design Thinking	3
ENTR:9500	Managing the Growth Business	3
or MBA:8320	Strategic Business Growth
MGMT:9220	Maximizing Team Performance	3

If ENTR:9100 Entrepreneurship and Innovation is waived, it must be replaced with an approved course from the preceding list.

ENTR:9500 Managing the Growth Business (prior to summer 2023) and MBA:8320 Strategic Business Growth (available fall 2023 and beyond) are the same course. Only one of these courses will count toward certificate requirements.

Certificate/Graduate Degrees

Students can pursue this professional certificate concurrently with their graduate degree. A separate application to each degree program is required for students not already admitted to a Tippie College of Business graduate or professional program.

For students in graduate programs outside of the Tippie College of Business:

• With graduate program approval, students may count up to 9 s.h. from the professional certificate toward their graduate degree.
• With approval from the professional certificate program, students may count up to 3 s.h. from any graduate degree program toward their certificate.

Students should contact their degree program and the certificate program to work out combined program details.

Admission decisions are based upon completed application materials, including academic performance along with quality and quantity of work experience. For specific guidelines, see Certificate-Only Admissions on the Tippie College of Business website.

English language requirements are mandatory for applicants whose first language is not English. Information on these requirements and test options can be found on the Iowa MBA International Admissions website.

Admission decisions are made before registration begins for completed applications received by the priority application deadline. Admitted applicants who have met the priority application deadline may request registration for classes on the first registration date. See the Certificate-Only Admissions website for priority and final application deadlines.

Applications are accepted throughout the year; admission is for summer, fall, or spring entry.