Offered through UMass Lowell's Manning School of Business, this 4-course online graduate certificate program assists the aspiring entrepreneur, inventor and mid-career professional in understanding and applying the process associated with starting a new business or creating new business opportunities within established organizations.
This program is specifically focused on the creation of technology-based ventures and is designed to assist professionals with undergraduate and career experience in science, engineering, technology or business fields in better understanding the venture creation process.
The program consists of two required courses - New Venture Creation and Innovation & Emerging Technology - and two electives, which the student selects in consultation with the Program Coordinator. Graduate students in the certificate program who are subsequently accepted into the UMass Lowell Master of Science in Innovation and Technological Entrepreneurship program may apply certificate courses with grades of 'B' or better to their UMass Lowell Master of Science in Innovation and Technological Entrepreneurship degree.
Required Courses
6 Credit hours, two 3 credit courses
- 64.640 New Venture Creation
- 64.650 Innovation & Emerging Technology - Available Summer 2013!
Elective Courses
Select two in consultation with Program Coordinator
- 61.640 Financing Innovation and Technology
- 62.630 Market Research for Entrepreneurs
- 64.655 Corporate Entrepreneurship - Available Summer 2013!
- 64.680 Practicum I New Venture Planning
- 66.640 Building and Managing Teams
- 66.630 New Product Development
- 66.635 Project Management
*Please note that not all elective courses are available online
Admissions Requirements
Undergraduate degree and related experience in science, engineering, technology or business (other areas will be considered in consultation with the program coordinator).
For More Information
For more information on this Graduate Certificate Program, call 978-934-2819 or email onlineprograms@uml.edu
Gainful Employment Disclosure Information
Completion rates, median loan debts and program costs are outlined for each certificate program.
Graduate Certificate Gainful Employment Disclosure Information
Course Descriptions
61.640 Financing Innovation and Technology
This course focuses on strategies for financing innovation and new technology ventures both within a firm and on a stand-alone basis. Topics covered will include: different types of business organizations; different sources of funding including internal sources and external sources such as angel investors, venture capitalists, etc.; short-term and long-term financial planning and forecasting; business valuation; term sheet negotiation and exit strategies including mergers and acquisitions and IPOs. Each aspect of the course will be covered within the context of a business plan and venture life-cycle. 3 credits.
62.630 Market Research for Entrepreneurs
In this course students will learn and apply various marketing research techniques that will enable them to make soundly based decisions about new products or services in either an existing firm or new venture. Some of the topics covered include: assessing customer needs, estimating market demand, deciding the features of a proposed product/service and the price that would be most attractive in its target market. The course will provide students with an overview of key marketing concepts, and understanding of the statistical methodology behind market research techniques and practical application of these techniques through cases and projects. 3 credits.
64.640 New Venture Creation
This course is designed for students who are interested in entrepreneurship. The focus is on entrepreneurship as generic activity. It explores the opportunities and challenges face by individuals who seek to start a new ventures and the probable career development paths that are available. For those who may be interested in starting or running a new business, the course will provide an essential foundation for this process, identify the skills and resources required, and explore the opportunities available to the young entrepreneur. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Matriculated MBA students, MBA Foundation Core, MSITE program, or PSM sub-plan, or permission of Grad Prog Coordinator
64.650 Innovation & Emerging Technology
This course examines technological innovation and its relationship to value-creation and business strategy. Emphasis is placed on emerging scientific and technical innovations and the opportunities and challenges they present to both existing businesses and new venture entrepreneurs. The overall goal of this course is to help you to understand, appreciate and learn to manage the technology innovation process. Students examine innovation strategies, planning models, evaluation models, licensing and the commercialization process required to launch new businesses around innovative products and technologies. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Pre-Req: MSITE program, or PSM sub-plan, or permission of Graduate Program Coordinators.
64.655 Corporate Entrepreneurship
This course focuses on entrepreneurship in established companies. Corporate Entrepreneurship (CE) is a process by which companies adopt a conscious strategy to encourage creativity, innovation, outside-the-box thinking, experimentation and risk taking. As a result, companies promoting and implementing CE strive for competitive advantages in rapidly changing global markets. The course will cover components of CE, developing & implementing CE strategies and managing CE. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Pre-Req: MSITE students or permission of Program Coordinator
64.680 Practicum I New Venture Planning
The first of two practicum courses focusing on technology commercialization, business planning and initial incubation of an early-stage business; and development of an investment proposal to launch a new business. Student teams will be working hands-on to explore, identify and analyze the path from Idea to Market for technology and research projects. They will evaluate selected technology and research projects for commercial applications; explore different options available to productize & introduce products to market; complete a new venture business plan where appropriate; and potentially launch or participate in launching a new business. Practicum I and II will be offered as continuous courses over two consecutive semesters. Each student team will be assigned to a faculty member who will guide them throughout the practicum experience. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Pre-Req: MSITE program, or PSM sub-plan, or permission of Graduate Program Coordinators.
66.630 New Product Development
This course will enable students to understand the complexities involved in new innovation and technology-based product development. Through examples and exercises, students will be exposed to such topics as creative problem solving, customers/suppliers/partners involvements and inputs processes, integration among all functions, building and managing cross functional teams, rapid prototyping and development, creating a learning organization and measurements. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Pre-Req: MSITE students or permission of Program Coordinator
66.635 Project Management
This course will focus on managing innovation and technology projects and the critical role that a project manager plays in successful execution. Topics included in the course are: project planning, deliverables, managing quality, change management, documentation, communication, risks management, project team and human resource management approaches and creating and managing expectations. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Pre-Req: MSITE students or permission of Program Coordinator
66.640 Building and Managing Teams
One critical determinant of success in an on-going corporate venture or launch of a new product, service or company is the performance of teams. This course examines the key roles of leader and follower in the development of project teams in both start startups and existing companies. It will address issues relating to team composition, team member capabilities, and team dynamics as teams develop and change over time. Emphasis is placed on acquiring the interpersonal, communication and collaboration skills necessary for effective team performance. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Matriculated MBA students, MBA Foundation Core, MSITE program, or PSM sub-plan, or Grad. Coordinator permission
Apply Into the Program
Apply Online or complete and submit the Graduate Certificate Application form (pdf).
For further details visit UMass Lowell's Graduate Admissions.
Register for Courses
Approximately 2 months prior to the start of each semester, Online and Continuing Education posts the new
course schedule to the website. Once you've decided which course(s) you would like to take, returning
students can register using ISIS self-service, while new
students must use the New Student Registration Form.
Note: If you previously completed an academic program through UMass
Lowell
but haven't already applied and been accepted into this program, please use the New
Student Registration Form to register.
Questions? Contact Us!
Email our Student Support Center for assistance, or call for advising at (800) 480-3190 and press 3 to speak with an advisor. See links at the bottom of this page for technical assistance with your online course.
Certificate Completion
Once you have completed all the courses in this graduate certificate program, please complete and either mail or fax the Graduate Certificate Clearance Form to the Registrar's Office.
Note: Graduate students are assessed a First Year Student Services Fee. Visit the Student Financial Services website for details.