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 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 regularly offered online and select courses may occasionally be offered at two locations in Iowa: Cedar Rapids at the Tippie College of Business Cedar Rapids Center and Des Moines at the John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center (JMPEC); see program locations on the Tippie College of Business website.
The Certificate in Innovation requires the following coursework.
| 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 |
| MBA:8320 | Strategic Business Growth | 3 |
| MGMT:9220 | Maximizing Team Performance | 3 |
If ENTR:9100 Entrepreneurship and Innovation is waived, students replace this course with another approved course from the list above.
ENTR:9500 Managing the Growth Business (prior to summer 2023) and MBA:8320 Strategic Business Growth (available fall 2023 and beyond) is the same course and only one will count toward certificate requirements.
Certificate/Graduate Degrees
Students can pursue a professional Certificate in Innovation concurrently with their graduate degree. 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. Separate application to each degree program is required. Applicants must be admitted to both programs before they may be admitted to the combined degree program.
Admission decisions are based on completed application materials, including quality and quantity of work experience and undergraduate or graduate academic performance. View Graduate Certificates Admissions on the Tippie College of Business website for specific guidelines.
Applicants whose first language is not English must score at least 100 (internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or must have a successful admission interview. In place of TOEFL, the program accepts International English Testing System (IELTS) scores. For information about registering for TOEFL or IELTS and reporting scores to the university, see the English language requirement on the Tippie College of Business Iowa MBA Admissions website.
Students are admitted during the summer, fall, or spring. Applications are accepted throughout the year.