Master of Science in Innovation and Technological Entrepreneurship MSITE

From a competitive perspective, the shift from a manufacturing base to a technology-innovation and knowledge-based economy requires new skills among organizational employees. In conversations with executive staff in major companies in the region we have been told repeatedly that the region’s engineers and scientists need to be entrepreneurial. As competition and costs rise, research and development efforts must clearly contribute to business growth and the company bottom line.  Thus, companies are looking for technical professionals who can generate new ideas and new businesses. 

The goal of the Master of Science in Innovation and Technological Entrepreneurship (MSITE) is to provide engineers, business majors and scientists with the skills and knowledge required to drive innovation in today’s collaborative, global workforce. Using a combination of class work, case work and real-world project activity, students will:

• Understand and leverage the business opportunities accompanying technology innovation within established companies and through the launch of new ventures.
• Develop an understanding of technology innovation and entrepreneurship from both an academic and applied perspective.
• Learn how to appropriately value and finance technology innovations and new ventures.
• Develop the market research and sales skills necessary to position technology innovations to create competitive advantage.
• Develop the management skills required to identify, launch and execute innovative products, services and new ventures.
• Develop an applied understanding of the regulatory and property law issues accompanying the innovation and entrepreneurship processes.
• Develop the project management and interdisciplinary team skills required to manage in an open collaboration environment.
  

A graduate of the MSITE  program should be  prepared to manage innovation in established firms or to launch new technology-oriented ventures. 

Program of Study

The MSITE consists of ten courses (30 credits), including 4 core courses (12 credits), 4 elective courses (12 credits, 6 of which must be in Engineering and/or Science) and a 2 course (6 credit) practicum. Each student will participate in the development and delivery of a team capstone project (through the 2 course practicum) which will be reviewed by an external professional panel. Complete course descriptions are available in this document, MSITComplete course descriptions are available in this document (pdf).

The program is outlined below. 

For the latest course information please visit the UMass Lowell on-line Graduate Academic Catalog.

Program Core
12 Credits
4 courses 

64.650 - Innovation & Emerging Technology
62.630 - Market Research for Entrepreneurs
61.640 - Financing Innovation & Tech.  Ventures
66.630 - New Product Development

Program Electives
12 Credits
4 Courses
(2 Eng. Or Sci.)

66.635 - Project Management or
22.576 - Engineering Project Management
64.655 - Corporate Entrepreneurship
66.640 - Managing Entrepreneurial Teams
26.590 - Intellectual Property
26.537  - Business Law for Engineers

* Special Topics
Additional electives with department approval

Program Capstone
6 Credits
2 Courses
64.680  - Practicum  I  New Venture Planning
64.681  - Practicum II  New Venture Implementation  

Part-Time and Full-Time Study

Students are admitted on either a part-time or full-time basis. Courses meet during the evening hours beginning at 6 p.m., with additional online and blended course options.

Part-time students are expected to graduate within five years. For an MBA student, the full-time course load is nine credits. Degree requirements usually are completed in two years for students attending full-time.

Admissions Process

For more information on the MSITE admissions process, please visit the MSITE  Prospective Student page.