UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State has launched a new master’s degree aimed at helping business professionals lead innovation at their companies at a time of increasing competition, globalization and rapid technological advances.
Penn State is accepting applications for the master of professional studies in corporate innovation and entrepreneurship, a 33-credit degree offered exclusively online through Penn State World Campus and the internationally ranked Smeal College of Business.
The first courses will be offered in January, the start of the University’s spring 2018 semester.
“Innovation requires broad knowledge of engineering, marketing and sales, business strategy and technology,” said Shawn Clark, clinical professor at Smeal and director of the Farrell Center for Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Penn State. “The ability to understand your business, the environment and how to innovate appropriately given all the variables is essential.”
Leaders and aspiring leaders from companies of all sizes, from start-ups to blue-chip companies, will find the courses useful, Clark said.
“The curriculum is designed to give students the skills they need in the techniques, strategies and business fundamentals necessary to create, innovate and sustain new products and services in a variety of industries,” Clark said.
In the first core courses, students will learn the fundamentals of innovation and entrepreneurship, creating new business ventures, innovation and emerging trends, and strategies to implement the policies and procedures needed to lead innovation. Students who complete the courses may receive the graduate certificate in corporate innovation.
Working with an adviser, students will then select courses in either business administration or engineering leadership that complement their education and experience. They will also take electives on topics such as supply chain management, marketing and business analytics, accounting and more. In the last course, students will complete a project to apply what they have learned throughout the program.
Penn State Smeal is an internationally recognized leader of business education whose faculty members have extensive corporate, teaching and research experience.
Penn State has offered online learning through World Campus since 1998. Its graduate business portfolio is ranked in the top 10 by U.S. News and World Report.
“Students will have the opportunity to learn from top faculty members in this program,” said Karen Pollack, assistant vice provost for online and blended programs at Penn State World Campus. “This online degree gives working adults the access to a high-quality Penn State education they want to help advance their careers.”
Visit the Penn State World Campus website for more information about the new master’s degree.