Master of Science in Innovation and Entrepreneurship



The MS in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MSIE) is designed to prepare students for successful careers in innovation-related roles in established organizations, entrepreneurial finance, or in the creation of new ventures. In today’s fast paced business world, executives from leading companies recognize the need for employees who can evaluate opportunities and manage the process of innovation in positions such as strategic marketing, product marketing, business development, engineering, R&D and project management. The program emphasizes technology-based innovation, consistent with and complementing UT Dallas’ traditional strengths in science, engineering, computer science, and management disciplines.

The program provides a solid foundation in the management disciplines essential to innovation, with specific focus on the tools, techniques and skills required to develop and lead product, service and business model innovation. The MSIE degree is designed to complement baccalaureate or advanced degrees in business, economics, arts and humanities, engineering or scientific disciplines. Download MS in Innovation and Entrepreneurship brochure.

We live in an entrepreneurial world! Innovation is the engine that drives our global economy, accounting for more than 80 percent of net new job creation.  The global “innovation economy” of the future will require all of the traditional skills, such as accounting, finance, marketing, engineering, etc., but the most exciting opportunities will involve individuals and teams that can manage innovation to create exceptional value for their customers.  The MS in Innovation and Entrepreneurship Degree is designed to prepare students to hold exciting leadership positions at the forefront of this global innovation economy.

The Master of Science in Innovation and Entrepreneurship was designed in collaboration with experienced entrepreneurs and senior executives from major technology companies.  These executives observed:

“The MSIE program addresses a vacuum that exists in most businesses – few people have the experience and/or knowledge to successfully craft, sell and launch a new business area.”

“It fits well into our externally focused functions including business development, product management, marketing and sales, program management, and engineering management.”

In addition to a rigorous curriculum and an exceptional classroom experience, there are multiple opportunities for students to meet, learn from, and network with leading industry professionals, including entrepreneurs, investment professionals, and executives from major technology companies. Students are encouraged to compete in the annual UT Dallas Business Idea Competition, participate in the Entrepreneurship Club’s networking events and Distinguished Speaker Series, work as an intern in support of the start-up companies in UT Dallas’s Venture Development Center, and get involved in the community outreach programs of the award-winning Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

At UT Dallas, we really believe that “Innovation is Where the Action Is!”.

Come join us and experience the excitement!

Joseph C. Picken, PhD

Program Director


Email
(972) 883-4986
Office – JSOM 4.212

Madison F. Pedigo

Associate Director


Email
(972) 883-4481
Office – JSOM 2.411
  • Flexible 36 hour degree program
  • 18 hours of required core courses
  • 18 hours of electives, with a choice of concentration areas:
    • The New Venture concentration is focused on the processes of innovation and entrepreneurship in early stage ventures
    • The Innovation Within the Corporation concentration is focused on the development and introduction of new products, new technologies, and new business models within established organizations
  • Nationally recognized programs
  • Exceptional faculty; significant professional experience
  • Robust curriculum; experiential learning
  • Internships with UTD Venture Development Program
  • Projects with new ventures and established technology firms
  • Frequent interaction with industry and investment professionals
  • Outstanding  student programs, such as:
    • UTD Business Idea Competition
    • Distinguished  Speaker Series
    • Entrepreneurial Development Series
  • Flexible scheduling with classes in the evenings and many offered online

Prerequisites

Prerequisite knowledge in statistics is a requirement for the program. Candidates who have not taken equivalent courses will need to take OPRE 6301 to meet the statistics requirement. FIN 6301 is a prerequisite for both BPS 6310 and ENTP/FIN 6315. The FIN 6301 requirement will be waived if the student has satisfactorily completed an equivalent course with a grade of B or better.

Degree credit is not earned for program prerequisites. If required, OPRE 6301 and/or FIN 6301 may be included as additional electives in completing the degree program.

Degree Requirements

The MSIE degree requires a total of 36 credit hours. This includes 18 hours of basic core courses, which provide a solid foundation in the management disciplines essential to the successful innovation of new ideas, new products and new business models, including foundational courses in entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial finance.

The curriculum also provides two concentration areas, the first focused on the context of an entrepreneurial startup (the New Venture Concentration) and the second on the challenges of managing entrepreneurial innovation within the more structured environment of a mature organization (the Innovation Within the Corporation Concentration). The student must take a minimum of 12 hours within one of the designated concentration areas.

An additional six hours of electives may be chosen from among any of the concentration area courses not already taken, the other ENTP electives offered or, with permission, from any of the other SOM offerings in the ACCT, BPS, FIN, IMS, MIS, MKT, OPRE or OB areas.

Basic Core Courses (18 hours)

Each candidate must satisfactorily complete the 18 hour core consisting of the following courses:

  • ACCT 6305 Accounting for Managers
  • OB 6301 Organizational Behavior
  • BPS 6310 Strategic Management
  • MKT 6301 Introduction to Marketing
  • ENTP 6370 Entrepreneurship
  • ENTP/FIN 6315 Entrepreneurial Finance

As a reminder, FIN 6301 is a prerequisite for both BPS 6310 and ENTP/FIN 6315 (see discussion in the Prerequisites section above).

New Venture Concentration (12 hours)

Innovation Within the Corporation Concentration (12 hours)
  • ENTP 6387 Forecasting Industry and Technology Futures
  • ENTP 6390 Business Model Innovation
  • ENTP 6380 Entrepreneurial Marketing
  • ENTP 6385 Entrepreneurial Business Strategies
  • ENTP 6378 Managing the Emerging Enterprise
  • ENTP 6387 Forecasting Industry and Technology Futures
  • ENTP 6390 Business Model Innovation
  • ENTP 6375 Technology and New Product Development
  • ENTP 6388 Managing Innovation Within the Corporation
  • ENTP 6398 The Entrepreneurial Experience

Elective Courses (6 hours)

Students are required to complete a sufficient number of elective hours to earn a minimum of 36 hours toward the MS degree. These courses may be chosen from among: (a) the courses listed in the concentration areas above; or, (b) the additional entrepreneurship courses listed below:

  • ENTP/FIN 6316 Private Equity
  • ENTP 6382 Professional Selling
  • ENTP 6392 Entrepreneurship in the Social Sector
  • ENTP 6395 Topics in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  • OB 6321 Principles of Leadership

With faculty permission, a student may substitute up to two electives from other SOM graduate offerings in the ACCT, BPS, ENTP, FIN, IMS, MIS, MKT, OPRE, or OB areas.

Dual MS in Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Professional MBA Degrees

  • Total of 63 credit hours for two degrees after prerequisites are met (10 hours beyond the regular PMBA requirement of 53 credit hours)
  • Students complete the MSIE first, then complete the Professional MBA curriculum
  • Two degrees are awarded after completion of both degree programs
  • Example curriculum available on request

Dual MS in Innovation and Entrepreneurship and MS in Marketing Management

  • Total of 54 credit hours required for two degrees after prerequisites are met (18 hours beyond the regular MSIE curriculum)
  • Example curriculum available on request

Dual MS in Innovation and Entrepreneurship and MS in Finance

  • Pursue New Venture Focus in MSIE and Financial Analyst Concentration in MS Finance.
  • Total of 54 credit hours required for two degrees after prerequisites are met (18 hours beyond the regular MSIE curriculum)
  • Example curriculum available on request

Dual MS in Innovation and Entrepreneurship and MS in IT Management

  • Total of 54 credit hours required for two degrees after prerequisites are met (18 hours beyond the regular MSIE curriculum)
  • Example curriculum available on request

Other dual degree combinations

  • Other dual degree combinations may be possible and may require varying amounts of credit hours. Please work with the appropriate Program Directors and Graduate Advising in advance regarding other dual degree plans