Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The Graduate Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship equips professionals with the skills to think creatively and strategically when launching new ventures or driving innovation within existing organizations. Through a blend of foundational knowledge, real-world application, and specialized electives, students gain hands-on experience in evaluating opportunities, building business models, and implementing innovation in organizational settings.

This 12-credit certificate is open to current NC State graduate students and eligible non-degree-seeking students.

This certificate program is best for early to mid career professionals and recent graduates who want to:

• Evaluate business opportunities and new ideas to build viable business models and commercialize them
• Effectively communicate the value and structure of their business models
• Foster a culture of creativity and innovation within teams or organizations
• Gain hands-on experience developing real-world commercialization plans for new ideas

Eligibility

• Graduate students at NC State (must be in good standing) submit an application to the certificate program that will be reviewed and approved by the coordinator. 
• Students not attending NC State must have completed a baccalaureate degree. 
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate and graduate work combined is required for admission to the program. 
• Those with less than a 3.0 may be admitted provisionally. Provisionally admitted students must initially take the required certificate course and earn a grade of B (3.0) or better.

Plan of Study

• Students must complete the 12 required credit hours with a 3.0 GPA. In addition, students must score satisfactorily in the project completed for MBA 579.
• In addition to maintaining the 3.0 cumulative GPA in the certificate courses, students are expected to attain at least a B- in each course.  Additionally, they need to score at least a B- in the project submitted in MBA 579.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship are equipped to lead change and drive growth, whether within an existing organization or a startup venture. Many pursue roles such as Innovation Engineer, Director of Innovation, or Business Operations Specialist, helping their companies adapt to evolving markets, develop new products, or optimize internal processes. This credential signals a readiness to solve complex challenges with a creative, forward-facing mindset.

Professionals already working in business, finance, engineering, or operations can use this certificate to level up their careers and step into strategic leadership positions. Project managers, financial analysts, and systems engineers benefit from formal training in entrepreneurial thinking and innovation strategy, which are increasingly valued in corporate environments where agility and vision are key to long-term success. The certificate offers a competitive edge for those aiming to move into executive-level roles or cross-functional innovation teams.

For aspiring entrepreneurs and career changers, the certificate offers foundational skills to launch new ventures or transition into startup ecosystems. Graduates may go on to become founders, startup consultants, or innovation leads at incubators and accelerators. Those in education, such as career and technical education teachers, can integrate entrepreneurship into their classrooms or professional development programs, helping prepare the next generation of innovators. This certificate opens doors across sectors for those ready to lead with creativity, resilience, and impact.