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.