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Strategic Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Certificate in
Strategic Innovation
and Entrepreneurship

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Create the Future of Business
Innovation is considered a cornerstone for how companies create value for both customers and their shareholders. Entrepreneurs are the drivers of new ideas, products and services. In this 12-credit-hour online program, you learn how to assess growth decisions and options using a variety of qualitative frameworks, understand and apply principles and skills relevant to innovating new products and services, and identify, describe and analyze a business opportunity. If you’re enrolled in our MBA programs, you can use your MBA electives to earn this graduate certificate at the same time.

Calendar August, January or May Start

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Complete Two Required Courses

Introduction to Business Strategy

GRBA 808

Improve the student's ability to think strategically and understand the formulation and implementation of business strategy. Use the industry analysis framework to identify, interpret, and evaluate the sources of a firm’s competitive advantage. Make sense of corporate complexity and market uncertainty to derive a competitive firm strategy; why firms choose to compete in certain businesses; which business strategies are successful in which environments; and how firms can change in response to dynamic environments. Readings and lectures illustrate strategic management theories and frameworks while case discussions and projects provide opportunities for application.

Advanced Business Strategy

GRBA 853

Development and implementation of corporate strategies and policies. Interrelationships between the external and internal environments of the organization (including functional areas) are stressed through identification, analysis and implementation of solutions to strategic situations facing varying types of organizations. Policy cases, live cases/industry analyses and an executive-level simulation game. Bridging the gap between management theory and practice.

Choose Two Elective Courses

Identifying and Exploring Entrepreneurial Opportunities

MNGT 821

Crosslisted with: ENTR 821

Focuses on the management of new firms, including small businesses designed to be lifestyle ventures and firms destined to grow. Exposure to variety of growth opportunities including franchising, organic growth and expansion of smaller businesses or units within larger firms. Teaches how to manage a new business and exploit an entrepreneurial opportunity and manage resources to sustain the firm once the business is running. Learn through a variety of hands-on methods designed to enhance their critical thinking and practical business skills. Case study analysis and exposure to thought leadership in the field are part of the core learning methods.

Managing Rapid Growth and Change in Organizations

MNGT 822

Crosslisted with: ENTR 822

Addresses financial, human resource, operations and marketing issues that face entrepreneurs whose businesses are confronted with significant growth. In addition, will learn change management concepts that are targeted towards managing an organization in extremely turbulent times. Prepares students to work in fast-growth firms, whether they are interested in starting their own business or joining an already established fast-growth firm. Helpful for students interested in fast-growth industries such as life science and high technology.

Business Plan Development and Decision Making

MNGT 823

Crosslisted with: ENTR 823

Takes an in-depth look at the business planning process. By the end of the class, students produce their own business plans. Learn through their own business plan writing, through in-depth cases studies, by engaging in role plays and by interacting with business executives. Business plans are a critical part of any organization, thus, preparing students to develop business plans for a variety of new concepts and ideas, whether inside an established firm or as part of the start-up new venture. Students will be asked to enter their business plans into the business planning competitions in which the University participates.

Corporate Strategy and Entrepreneurship

MNGT 840

Understand, analyze and problem solve around the array of decisions that, entrepreneurs, managers and CEOs consider when determining where and how to grow. Learn and apply qualitative decision frameworks that enable more thorough decision analysis to your own company or a company that you work for, cases studies and your own personal growth path.

Admission

Because we review applications on a continual basis, you can start earning the certificate when it works best for you, whether that’s spring, fall or summer.

To apply, you will need to pay a $50 application fee and submit the following:

  • Academic transcripts
  • Professional résumé
  • Letter of Interest
  • Three references names and contact information
  • TOEFL or IELTS exam (required for international students) or minimum English proficiency: TOEFL paper 550, TOEFL internet 79, IELTS 6.5.

Note that under the Admission Objective section, you should select “Non-Degree, Graduate Certificate Objective” and then select your desired certificate.

Registration codes for the certificate courses will be sent out from the Business Graduate Programs office approximately 30 days prior to the term start date.


Applying for Multiple Certificates

The College of Business is pleased to provide multiple graduate certificate options. Please note, however, that students pursuing multiple graduate certificates may not apply the same course to more than one certificate. Below is a list of courses used by more than one certificate. If you have questions about this policy, please reach out to the Business Graduate Programs office at businessgrad@unl.edu.

  • Business Analytics and Marketing Analytics share GRBA 851
  • Business Analytics and Supply Chain Analytics share GRBA 851
  • Supply Chain Management and Supply Chain Analytics share GRBA 815
  • Marketing Analytics and Strategic Marketing share GRBA 813
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Prerequisites

Before applying, ensure you have met the prerequisite of a bachelor’s degree.

There are no other specific course requirements for admission to the certificate program.

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Calendar

May Start

Apply by April 1

Calendar

August Start

Apply by July 1

Calendar

January Start

Apply by November 1

Affordability

Since certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid, we know cost is key. At a flat rate of $675 per credit hour, our program is one of the most affordable in the Big Ten.


Tuition and Fees

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Provide your information and we'll send you what you need to know about earning your graduate certificate at Nebraska.

If you have immediate questions, contact our Business Graduate Programs Office at businessgrad2@unl.edu or 402-472-2338.

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Contact

Business Graduate Programs

businessgrad2@unl.edu
402-472-2338
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