Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Undergraduate Certificate)
Entrepreneurs and innovators are critical to the long-term health and prosperity of our economy and society. The certificate is designed for students from any background or area of study passionate about understanding and being active participants in the process of starting or nurturing startup ventures, including founders, co-founders, team members and those providing support services. The certificate will benefit current and future for-profit and nonprofit professionals in business, arts and entertainment, communication and information technology, manufacturing, engineering, science and technology, health care, community and economic development, and other fields. This multidisciplinary program, offered through a collaboration of several schools and colleges, provides an opportunity for students from diverse academic disciplines and areas of interest to learn from each other and exposes students to entrepreneurial action in a variety of settings. The use of an integrative curriculum framework and tool kit across all core and elective courses, experiential learning opportunities built into each of these courses, and consistent interactions with and among students, instructors, coaches, mentors, entrepreneurs, innovators and others engaged in the entrepreneurial environment, provides each student a unique pathway to deeper learning, mastery and higher levels of confidence in applying the specialized knowledge and skills required to develop and launch new venture.
Through this certificate program, students will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the stages of the new venture creation process, from discovering, creating and refining ideas, to building, testing and evaluating a value proposition and viable business model, to launching, sustaining and growing this new venture by acquiring and managing financial and human resources.
- Learn how lead, manage, and work effectively within teams to achieve success, and to create a positive and ethical work culture.
- Develop a personal network within the entrepreneurial ecosystem with a special emphasis on Detroit and the state of Michigan.
- Tailor their program of study to their unique talents and interests as they explore what it takes to translate ideas into reality, and plan the next steps on their journey of discovery, experimentation and action.
Students who participate in the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Certificate program are eligible to apply for support from the Belinsky Entrepreneurial Learning Laboratory (BELL). The BELL assists sustainable, investment-ready student startups and supports the development of commercialization pathways for WSU intellectual property by providing mentors and subject matter experts, direct support and limited funding to assist in the process of attracting additional funding in the form of revenue growth, grants, loans or direct investment. Direct support will be provided by BELL Fellows, and certificate program students are eligible to apply for these fellowships. Contact the program director for further information.
Students wishing to pursue the Undergraduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation should meet with the program director and the undergraduate advisor for the school or college providing oversight of their undergraduate degree program and major.
Candidates must complete 15 credits in course work satisfying the requirements cited below. All course work must be completed in accordance with the academic procedures of the University governing undergraduate scholarship and degrees; see Academic Regulations stipulated by the school of college which provides oversight of your undergraduate degree program and major.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | 6 | |
Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Innovation | ||
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Capstone (*Students must complete 12 approved credits before enrolling in EI 6000 Capstone Course. Students must contact the Program Director at least one month prior to registering for this course so that the details of the Capstone Project can be determined.) | ||
Elective Courses | 9 | |
Design Process | ||
Ethnographic Research Methods for Designers | ||
Product Design Engineering | ||
Advanced Studio/Batch Production | ||
Anthropology of Business | ||
Globalization: Theories, Practices, Implications | ||
Anthropological Methods | ||
Shop 'Til You Drop: Consumer Society and Culture | ||
Innovation & Entrepreneurship I | ||
Innovation & Entrepreneurship II | ||
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Lab | ||
Management and Leadership for Entrepreneurs | ||
Special Topics in Entrepreneurship and Innovation | ||
Directed Study in Entrepreneurship and Innovation | ||
Startup Funding and Profitability | ||
Entrepreneurs' Ecosystem | ||
Creativity | ||
Product Engineering | ||
Engineering Design I: Project Management | ||
Engineering Economy | ||
Engineering Design II | ||
Integrated Product Development | ||
Product Lifecycle Management and Sustainable Design | ||
Project Management | ||
Manufacturing Strategies | ||
Marketing New Ventures | ||
Inbound Information Technology | ||
Total Credits | 15 |
EI 1000 Entrepreneurial Explorations Cr. 1
Seminar series designed to expose students to entrepreneurship and innovation through exercises and interaction with experienced entrepreneurs and innovators. Offered Every Term.
EI 5000 Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Innovation Cr. 3
Introduces the integrative new venture development framework, processes and tools applied throughout the program, and explores opportunities, resources available and the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. You will work with a team of peers over the course of the term to apply core concepts around the entrepreneurial mindset, business model creation, customer validation, marketing, and delivering a pitch. This class provides an experiential and hands-on experiment in entrepreneurship that pushes students beyond the theoretical and intellectualization of starting a business. No credit after MGT 5650. Offered Every Term.
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.
EI 5400 Management and Leadership for Entrepreneurs Cr. 3
Topics include: the essential attributes of a successful entrepreneur and innovation; development of effective networks and personal relationships; working with and blending the strengths and talents of others, group and team dynamics; effective leadership and management; the everyday challenges of creating, owning and running a new venture, and exploring the differences which arise due to the type and size of the new venture. Offered Yearly.
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.
EI 5900 Special Topics in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Cr. 3
Topics to be announced in the schedule of classes. Offered Yearly.
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.
Repeatable for 6 Credits
EI 5950 Directed Study in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Cr. 3
Offered Every Term.
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.
EI 6000 Entrepreneurship and Innovation Capstone Cr. 3
Combines seminars with a project-intensive learning experience situated in the Detroit entrepreneurial ecosystem. Integrate and apply accumulated learning experiences from previous courses to the creation of a viable new venture and reach a decision whether or not to proceed, pivot, or terminate a new venture, and plan how to take these next steps. Offered Every Term.
Prerequisites: EI 5000 and 3 of (EI 5200, EI 5400, EI 5600, EI 5900, EI 5950, FPC 5010, or FPC 5660)
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.