Program Description

The Master of Science in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MSIE) degree program prepares students for careers in new venture development, entrepreneurial finance, angel or venture capital investment and innovation-related roles (such as strategic marketing, product marketing, business development and project management) in established organizations. Designed by top-tier faculty at The University of Texas at Dallas’ Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship within the Naveen Jindal School of Management, the program allows students to benefit from a unique, experience-based curriculum that features:

• Startup Launch Courses: these courses enable students to launch companies while receiving academic credit. Students with scalable concepts can apply for office space in the university’s Venture Development Center and receive customized mentorship experiences.
• Seed Fund Venture Analyst Course: where students conduct due diligence and make investment recommendations for the university’s exclusive venture fund – the UT Dallas Seed Fund.
• Entrepreneurial Experience Course: Students partner with personnel at major technology companies to analyze new market opportunities.
• Social Entrepreneurship Course: Students work with local nonprofits to improve key aspects of their businesses.
• Internship Course: Students have the opportunity to work in support of a startup company or corporation and get paid while gaining experience and receiving course credit.

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship master’s program allows students to choose between two focus areas: 1) the New Venture concentration or 2) the Innovation within the Corporation concentration. The program emphasizes technology-based innovation, consistent with, and complementary to, UT Dallas’ strengths in science, engineering, computer science and management disciplines.

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship master’s program was ranked No. 10 in Princeton Review’s Top Schools for Entrepreneurship in 2020 and recognized as the 2014 National Model Master’s Program by the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE). The program was also recognized in 2014 with an Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurial Teaching and Pedagogical Innovation by the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC).

Benefits

The Master’s in Innovation and Entrepreneurship program focuses on your personal, professional journey. Whether you want to leverage your new skills to catalyze your current career or use them to launch your own successful business, our degree program will teach you how to design and launch the future you want.

Other benefits include:

• World-Class Faculty: The program is led by faculty of the Naveen Jindal School of Management who are widely cited experts in their respective fields, many of whom also have professional industry experience as entrepreneurs and venture capitalists
• Comprehensive Curriculum: Courses in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship program will introduce students to new ideas, technologies and competencies while also teaching them the knowledge they’ll need to thrive in competitive, ever-changing industries.
• Program Flexibility: The program offers concentrations in “New Venture or “Innovation within the Corporation” as well as numerous electives, plus evening and online course options designed for working professionals.
• Innovative Opportunities: Students get access to a vast range of programming like accelerator, pitch competitions, and speaker events (encompassing panels, workshops, fireside chats, and guest talks) that support the entrepreneurial spirit of our students.
• Double Degree Pathways: The double degree option allows students to share coursework between two degrees and take advantage of potential time and tuition benefits.
• Facilities: The School of Management building provides students with more than 300,000 square feet of classroom, computer labs and study areas including specialized labs for financial trading, business communications, accounting and sales. The Blackstone LaunchPad is a 5,000 square feet co-working facility where students can maker connections, attend workshops, and host meetings. The Venture Development Center is the University incubator with over 20,000 square-feet of state-of-the-art dedicated office, lab, and meeting space, as well as shared business services and equipment.
• Location: Situated in the greater Dallas region — recently rated by LinkedIn News as one of the Top 5 “Fastest Growing Cities for Entrepreneurs” — UT Dallas provides students with easy access to employers and internship opportunities, not to mention a large and supportive alumni population.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship master’s program have gone on to pursue professional careers in a wide range of global firms, established companies and innovation-driven startups.

Marketable Skills

Review the marketable skills for this academic program.

Application Deadlines and Requirements

Please take note of all application deadlines and visit the Apply Now webpage to begin the application process. See the Innovation and Entrepreneurship program’s website for additional information.

Applicants to the Innovation and Entrepreneurship master’s program should have:

• A bachelor’s degree from an institution in the United States, or its equivalent (all majors are considered).
• A grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in both core and aggregate courses.
• Test Scores: A GRE/GMAT test score is not required, and students have the option to submit a test score if desired. A GRE/GMAT test score will only be used for admission purposes if one is provided by the applicant.
• Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must submit at least one letter of recommendation from an individual able to judge the candidate’s potential for success in the master’s degree program. The letter can be academic or professional.
• Admissions Essay: Applicants must submit an essay outlining their academic interests and professional goals.
• A resume.
• International applicants must submit a TOEFL score of at least 80 on the internet-based test.  Scores must be less than two years old. See the Graduate Catalog for additional information regarding English proficiency requirements for international applicants.