Technology Entrepreneurship Adv. Cert. | Saunders College of Business

Technology and entrepreneurship go hand-in-hand in developing some of today's most dynamic business ideas, innovative operations, and new ventures.

Overview for Technology Entrepreneurship Adv. Cert.

Today's entrepreneur faces a highly competitive and constantly changing marketplace driven by continuous innovation in technology, business models, execution, and strategy. In order to succeed, the new entrepreneur must develop an understanding of these dynamics and how this interplay creates value for a new venture.

RIT: Where Technology and Entrepreneurship Intersect

The advanced certificate in technology entrepreneurship features three required courses plus one elective. In its entirety, the curriculum provides the skills and knowledge an entrepreneur needs to successfully navigate the process of starting a new venture and managing technological innovation.

What is a Graduate Certificate?

A graduate certificate, also called an advanced certificate, is a selection of up to five graduate-level courses in a particular area of study. It can serve as a stand-alone credential that provides expertise in a specific topic that enhances your professional knowledge base, or it can serve as the entry point to a master's degree. Some students complete an advanced certificate and apply those credit hours later toward a master's degree.

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Curriculum for 2024-2025 for Technology Entrepreneurship Adv. Cert.

Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements

View Printable Curriculum

Technology Entrepreneurship, advanced certificate, typical course sequence

Course		Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
FINC-605	Financing New Ventures A focus on financial issues affecting an entrepreneur. The course emphasizes, identifies, and follows the wealth creation cycle. The wealth creation cycle begins with an idea for a good, product or service, progresses to an initial company startup, passes through successive stages of growth, considers alternative approaches to resource financing, and ends with harvesting the wealth created through an initial public offering, merger or sale. Identification and valuation of business opportunities, how and from whom entrepreneurs raise funds, how financial contracts are structured to both manage risk and align incentives, and alternative approaches by which entrepreneurs identify exit strategies are reviewed. Lecture 3 (Fall).	3
MGMT-720	Entrepreneurship and Technology Entrepreneurship This course studies the process of creating new ventures with an emphasis on understanding the role of the entrepreneur in identifying opportunities, seeking capital and other resources, and managing the formation and growth of a new venture. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).	3
Choose one of the following:		3
MGMT-730	Technology Entrepreneurship This course addresses the unique challenges for the entrepreneur in management of value capture through innovation, and the importance of technology-based innovation for the establishment and growth of the new venture in global products and services industries. The course integrates four major themes: (1) Appropriability and Entrepreneurial Innovation (2) the relationships between innovation, value creation, and value capture amongst customers, stakeholders, and the marketplace, (3) the role of technology in creating global competitive advance in both product-based and services-based industries, and (4) developing and monitoring the operational framework for the delivery of new value in products and services. (Prerequisites: MGMT-720 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring).
MGMT-735	Management of Innovation This course addresses the management of innovation, sustainable technology, and the importance of technology-based innovation for the growth of the global products and services industries. The course integrates three major themes: (1) leading-edge concepts in innovation, (2) the role of technology in creating global competitive advance in both product-based and services-based industries, and (3) the responsibility of businesses related to sustainability. The importance of digital technology as an enabler of innovative services is covered throughout the course. (completion of four graduate business courses) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).
Choose one of the following:		3
MGMT-610	Global Entrepreneurship Global entrepreneurs need to utilize both domestic and overseas resources, explore transnational opportunities, and leverage worldwide networks at early stages of the development. This course is designed to address the unique challenges of this global challenge, as well as the richer opportunities faced by the “born globals.” Students will learn how to discover, evaluate, and enact opportunities across national borders in order to create goods and services that serve various company goals. Students will also be informed of the competitive strategies normally adopted by international entrepreneurs in other major economies such as EU, China, and India. Lecture 3 (Spring).
MGMT-765	Applied Venture Creation This graduate course enables students to learn the entrepreneurial (value creation) process by advancing a business idea. The course provides weekly seminars focusing on customer discovery and business model development and weekly coaching mentoring sessions with an established entrepreneur/early stage marketer. The project is team based. Students may enter the course with a business concept or be integrated into an existing team in the course. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).
MGMT-799	Independent Study Management The student will work independently under the supervision of a faculty adviser. *Note: Instructor approval Ind Study 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).
	Incubator/lab time via MGMT-799 (Independent Study Management)
Total Semester Credit Hours		12

Admissions and Financial Aid

This program is available on-campus only.

Offered	Admit Term(s)	Application Deadline	STEM Designated
Part‑time	Fall or Spring	Rolling	No

Part-time study is 1‑8 semester credit hours. RIT will not issue a student visa for advanced certificates.

Application Details

To be considered for admission to the Technology Entrepreneurship Adv. Cert. program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

Complete an online graduate application.
Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college with course work in mathematical, science, engineering, and computing subject areas. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is recommended.
Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
Letters of recommendation are optional.
Entrance exam requirements: None
Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic), if required. Details are below.

English Language Test Scores

International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.

TOEFL	IELTS	PTE Academic
88	6.5	60

International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.

How to Apply Start or Manage Your Application

Cost and Financial Aid

An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method. View the general cost of attendance or estimate the cost of your graduate degree.

A combination of sources can help fund your graduate degree. Learn how to fund your degree

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