Graduate Certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship

• Develop an entrepreneurial mindset. Learn to recognize opportunities, evaluate ideas, and explore approaches to creating value in organizations and new ventures.
• Build creative problem-solving skills. Apply design thinking principles to better understand challenges, identify opportunities, and develop innovative solutions.
• Understand business operations. Explore how operations and supply chain strategies support organizational effectiveness and business success.
• Advance your professional skills. Develop knowledge applicable to entrepreneurship, business development, innovation, organizational improvement, and leadership.
• Learn on your schedule. Complete coursework online through flexible, asynchronous eight-week classes designed for busy adults.

What You'll Study

The Graduate Certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship consists of three graduate-level courses totaling 9 credit hours. Unlike a general certificate in entrepreneurship, this program pairs core entrepreneurial coursework with design thinking and operations strategy, so you learn not only how to develop an idea, but how to bring it to life and run it effectively.

• MSM 501 – Entrepreneurship (3 credits): Explore entrepreneurial thinking, opportunity identification, and the development of business ideas.
• LDR 648 – Introduction to Design Thinking (3 credits): Learn human-centered approaches to creative problem-solving, innovation, and solution development.
• MSM 550 – Operations and Supply Chain Strategy (3 credits): Examine strategic approaches to operations, supply chains, and organizational effectiveness.

This certificate may be a strong fit for:

• Aspiring entrepreneurs interested in starting or growing a business.
• Professionals seeking to lead innovation within their organizations.
• Business professionals interested in product or service development.
• Individuals considering careers in business development, consulting, or organizational strategy.
• Professionals from nonbusiness backgrounds seeking graduate-level business knowledge.

A Flexible Pathway to Graduate Education

The Graduate Certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship is available as a standalone credential for individuals who want to build specialized expertise without immediately pursuing a full master's degree.

The certificate's courses also align with the Innovation & Entrepreneurship specialization within Marian University's M.S. in Strategic Management, providing a potential pathway for students interested in continuing their graduate education.