Two business professionals in a meeting

Master's in
Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Program summary

Learn to strategically manage corporate innovation; develop new products, services, and business models for companies; and launch startups. With multiple concentrations to choose from, you can customize this online degree program to suit your individual and organization needs and support your goals.

Application deadline

Apply by April 15 to start May 13

Credits and costs

33 Credits $1,017 per credit

Nationally Recognized

US News and World Report graduate business badge
Select graduate business programs are highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

As a Penn State Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIENT) Graduate, You Can:

  • understand how companies innovate and apply design thinking
  • launch new business ventures by applying the principles of an entrepreneurial mindset
  • establish corporate cultures, practices, and processes to support innovation
  • track and capitalize on business and technology trends for competitive advantage
  • lead, influence, and work effectively on product development teams
  • possess marketable skills in ideation, critical thinking, problem-solving, benchmarking, and assessment

Experience a Unique and Flexible Online Curriculum

This program is AACSB Accredited

Learn when it's right for you thanks to flexible, asynchronous online courses. Meet your deadlines by doing work individually, and with project teams, when it’s most convenient for you. You can also attend optional synchronous online sessions for real-time engagement and learning. All course lectures and discussions are recorded so you can access them at any time.

    Set Your Own Pace

    Take one or two classes per semester based on what your life will allow. Need a semester off? No problem. Need to speed up or slow down your education? You can do that with the CIENT online master’s program.

    Start When You’re Ready

    There are three intakes per year, so you can begin the program in the fall, spring, or summer, according to your own schedule and needs.

    Looking to earn your degree as quickly as possible?
    If you take two courses per semester, it's possible to complete this degree in just two years.

    Looking to fit your degree around a busy life?
    Alternately, you can take your time and complete courses at your own pace. Many students take just one course per semester.

    Stand Out from Others by Customizing Your Education

    Develop tightly focused, career-ready skills tailored to your personal strengths and unique goals. The CIENT online master’s program allows you to customize your learning by choosing from more than 12 concentrations. Few top-tier online programs offer this level of flexibility. Each concentration gives you three courses to dive deeper into a focus area.

    View our courses to learn more about each concentration.

    Meet Business Professionals Who Share Your Interests and Passions

    Come together with students who are like-minded and excited about innovation, entrepreneurship, and business development. This degree provides access to mature students who are experienced business professionals intent on expanding their skills for leading innovation and launching new ventures. You will have many opportunities to work in teams and collaborate on projects with the potential to initiate and transform business.

    Focus on Projects that Are Relevant and Meaningful to You

    The capstone course for this degree focuses on entrepreneurial business planning and strategy execution. This capstone experience allows students to integrate, synthesize, and apply what they have learned while working on a project of individual interest.

    Students may choose to write a real-world business plan, develop a business case for pursuing a new product or business venture, or assess how to align a company’s business strategy to future trends in the marketplace. A sampling of final project topics may inspire you:

    • procurement process enhancement business case
    • business plan for a unique wellness center
    • strategic alignment of an insurance company to promote innovation
    • enhancing front-end innovation to enhance corporate safety
    • next-generation quality assurance practices
    • using innovation to detect chemical threats
    • business plan for a unique management consulting firm
    • innovations in digital entertainment streaming
    • transitioning to loan banking-as-a-service
    • business plan for launching executive training in corporate innovation
    • creation of a business innovation platform utilizing artificial intelligence

    Study with a Trusted Leader in Online Education

    Penn State has more than 100 years of experience in distance education and more than two decades of experience in online education. Our online learning environment offers you the same quality education our resident students experience in a face-to-face setting.

    Benefit from Partnering with Smeal College of Business

    You'll benefit from the Penn State Smeal College of Business' commitment to being your partner in lifelong learning. Smeal offers programs, support, and resources for every career stage and life circumstance that will prepare you not only for your next great opportunity but also for the one after that. You'll receive: 

    • personal advising
    • access to global immersion trips
    • specialized career coaching upon graduation
    • additional networking opportunities
    • exclusive access to a virtual hub for those interested in venture creation

    Global Immersion Program Opportunity

    Students will have the opportunity to participate in an optional Global Immersion trip. For one week, you will join fellow Penn Staters from the Smeal College of Business to visit a pivotal global business region in order to develop a critical awareness of international business practices and diverse cultures.

    Information for Military and Veterans

    Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse? Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, or application instructions.

    Courses

    The 33-credit Master's in Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIENT) is a highly customizable interdisciplinary program that allows you to earn graduate certificates while pursuing your master’s degree online.

    As a Penn State World Campus student, you can schedule courses in order to complete the program at your own pace. Your courses are primarily asynchronous — meaning you are not required to attend online classes at a specific time. Most courses, however, will include a voluntary synchronous component to allow you the opportunity to interact with professors and peers virtually weekly or bi-weekly.

    Your education will blend self-study with peer-to-peer interaction over an online learning network. You'll complete weekly assignments, readings, discussions, and occasional group work, as well as exams and other activities designed to enhance your learning outcomes, all at times that are most convenient for you.

    The program is structured into four distinct areas:

    1. Required courses
    2. Final capstone course
    3. Primary concentration
    4. Secondary concentration

    At least 18 credits must be at the 500 or 800 level, with at least 6 at the 500 level. Depending on course availability, you can complete the program in as little as five semesters of study, or spread out the courses to suit your personal responsibilities and work commitments.

    Core Courses (12 credits)

    Upon request, a Graduate Certificate in Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship will be awarded to students who complete ENTR 502, ENTR 810, ENTR 820, and MBADM 531 and submit a graduate certificate application.

    • 3
      credits

      Focuses on the process of launching a new venture, in a corporate setting or as a new start-up, including identifying a problem or market opportunity, developing business models, forming a team, financing, analyzing markets, assessing the competitive environment, and planning to acquire leadership talent.

    • 3
      credits

      Surveys emerging trends and disruptors in technology and industry that create new markets and influence decision-making, product development, business models, and business practices associated with innovation.

    • 3
      credits

      Explores the methods used to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in a corporate setting, with a special emphasis on how organizations foster creativity, innovation, and new venture creation.

    • 3
      credits

      Understanding, exploring, and applying innovation-related concepts, principles, and practices to corporate environments involved with new venture creation and other contexts.

    Capstone Experience (3 credits)

    • 3
      credits

      This course is designed to allow students to integrate, synthesize, and apply what they have learned in prior courses, and gain further insight into two major drivers of business success, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

      • Prerequisites

        ENTR 502, ENTR 810, ENTR 820

    Primary Concentration (9 credits)

    Students in the CIENT program have the flexibility to choose a concentration in either business management foundations or engineering innovation foundations.

    Business Management Foundation (select 9 credits)

    Elective courses for those who aspire to a more business-facing role.

    • 3
      credits

      Focuses on the development and application of business architecture as a holistic discipline that produces a common understanding of the organization that is used to align strategic objectives and tactical initiatives.

    • 3
      credits

      Emphasizes identity issues that are critical to understanding individual and collective processes in organizational life.

    • 3
      credits

      Integrating multiple functional business areas to resolve global business problems and improve organizational performance.

    • 3
      credits

      Accounting rules, practices, and applications that characterize the accounting presentations that for-profit organizations provide to the public.

    • 3
      credits

      Overview of human behavior in organizations, and implications for managing and leading individuals, teams, and organizations.

    • 3
      credits

      Application of techniques available to aid managers in sound financial decision making.

    • 3
      credits

      Examines strategic issues in marketing, including analysis, planning, and implementation; gain hands-on experience in taking control of an enterprise operation involving marketing, production, and financial decision-making at both the strategic and tactical levels.

    Engineering Innovation Foundations (9 credits)

    Elective courses for those who aspire to a more technical leadership role.

    • 3
      credits

      Traditional and contemporary leadership theory is analyzed to determine effective strategies for leading projects and innovation within an engineering context.

    • 3
      credits

      Explores cultural differences and impact on business practices and team dynamics working on virtual project teams with global partner universities.

    • 3
      credits

      Develop competencies for leading new product/process development or participating in corporate spinouts using entrepreneurial skills within a corporation.

    Secondary Concentration (9 credits) 

    The secondary concentration allows you to drill down into a specialty area to consider how the principles of corporate innovation may be applied. To ensure student success, some secondary concentrations have prerequisite course and/or work experience requirements in order to gain entrance. These requirements have been established to ensure students have the necessary foundational knowledge prior to entering the concentration. Please refer to the concentration selections below for further details.

    Completion of a secondary concentration may lead to an additional graduate certificate. Some graduate certificates will require you to take an extra course outside of the 33 credits needed for the master's degree.

    Accounting Foundations (select 9 credits)

    If MBADM 811 is completed in the primary concentration, ACCTG 812, 813, and 814 must be completed for the secondary concentration.

    • 3
      credits

      Accounting rules, practices, and applications that characterize the accounting presentations that for-profit organizations provide to the public.

    • 3
      credits

      Introduction to U.S. federal income tax, covering the basics of taxation of individuals, corporations, flow-through entities, and property transactions.

      • Prerequisite

        MBADM 811

    • 3
      credits

      Principles of the risk-based approach to the audit of financial statements, with special focus on financial information systems.

      • Prerequisite

        MBADM 811

    • 3
      credits

      Examination of the internal organizational accounting procedures that establish accountability within organizations.

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    Business Analytics (9 credits)

    Because key concepts build from one course to the next, please plan to start with BAN 830, follow with 840, and finish with 550. Prerequisite includes previous work experience and/or academic background with statistics. Please contact the program for further information at [email protected].

    • 3
      credits

      Explores the use of descriptive analytics concepts, tools, and techniques throughout a wide range of business scenarios and problems.

    • 3
      credits

      Explores the use of predictive analytics tools and techniques throughout a wide range of business scenarios and problems; includes a subset of methods such as neural networks, machine learning, social media analytics, and more.

    • 3
      credits

      Development of methods for prescriptive analytics with a focus on business supply side decisions and risk mitigation.

      • Prerequisite

        BAN 840

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    Business Architecture (9 credits)

    Three credits for this requirement must be selected from a pre-determined list maintained by the program. Please contact the program for course options at [email protected].

    • 3
      credits

      Focuses on the development and application of business architecture as a holistic discipline that produces a common understanding of the organization that is used to align strategic objectives and tactical initiatives.

    • 3
      credits

      Explores the use and effectiveness of architectural modeling to describe an organization and examines model-based products as tools to support, influence, and enable organization planning and decision-making.

      • Prerequisite

        BA 809

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    Business Sustainability Strategy (9 credits)

    • 3
      credits

      An overview of the economic, social, and environmental drivers of the transformation to sustainable business models and practices; identification of best practices and frameworks for assessing organizational engagement with sustainability; development of a strategic sustainability plan.

    • 3
      credits

      Addresses the managerial challenge of strategy implementation, particularly by examining the organizational elements that must be drawn into line to support a strategy, as well as the immense difficulties of changing an organization. Relies on two overarching frameworks: a model of organizational alignment and a model for managing the change process.

    • 3
      credits

      Introduction to new business models and sustainable design principles for reinventing products and services to drive business value while reducing environmental and social impact, sourcing raw materials and working effectively with suppliers to safeguard labor and human rights and protect and restore natural resources, and managing total cost and risk. Special focus on circular economy strategies and closed loop supply chains.

    Diversity and Inclusion as Strategy (9 credits)

    Three (3) credits must come from MGMT 845. Students can choose how to fulfill the remaining six (6) credits with the courses in this section. 

    • 3
      credits

      Emphasizes how leading across differences and diversity is a core leadership competency in organizations today.

    • 3
      credits

      Enhances the student's ability to deal with the complexities of ethical decision making in today's dynamic business environment by clarifying and applying personal values.

    • 2
      credits

      This course starts with the reality that the United States is less influential in global trade, finance, economics, and business than it was in previous decades.

    • 1
      credit

      Designed around a visit to another economic region. Students visit both local and multinational businesses to understand how a business gets established and run in another country; students also meet with industry and government officials to get their perspectives on the economic policies of the country.

      • Note

        Additional fee applies for travel

    • 3
      credits

      Addresses the managerial challenge of strategy implementation, particularly by examining the organizational elements that must be drawn into line to support a strategy, as well as the immense difficulties of changing an organization. Relies on two overarching frameworks: a model of organizational alignment and a model for managing the change process.

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    General Management (select 9 credits)

    Students pursuing the General Management concentration may select from a list of online courses in consultation with their academic adviser. For an updated list of courses, please contact [email protected].

    Back to Top

    Management Consulting (9 credits)

    Three credits for this requirements must be selected from a pre-determined list maintained by the program. Please contact the program for course options at [email protected].

    • 3
      credits

      Provides an understanding of key issues, concepts, and methodologies associated with business transformation and management consulting; helps students identify and define organization problems, highlight pain points, map workflows, explore business models, investigate strategic alignment, develop recommendations, present business cases, and deliver prototype solutions.

    • 3
      credits

      Explores the methods and tools commonly used in the practice of management consulting and is intended for students interested in working in this field or working in organizations that hire management consultants.

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    Marketing Analytics (select 9 credits)

    Prerequisite includes previous work experience and/or academic background in marketing fundamentals. Please contact the program for further information at [email protected].

    • 3
      credits

      Principles of applied marketing analytics, including marketing data sources, data quality, software, and fundamentals of statistics. Special focus on translating data into meaningful business insights and strategy.

    • 3
      credits

      Introduction to data analytics for evaluating digital marketing communication, including assessment of mobile, website, and online shopper experiences; evaluation of digital campaigns, social media monitoring, and media mix modeling.

    • 3
      credits

      Examination of data analytics to strategically drive targeting, acquiring, developing relationships with, and retaining customers.

      • Prerequisite

        MKTG 811

    • 3
      credits

      Review of analytics addressing key marketing challenges, including brand positioning and differentiation, pricing and product strategy, brand equity, and customer satisfaction.

      • Prerequisite

        MKTG 811

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    Negotiation and Influence (9 credits)

    • 3
      credits

      Delivers an overview of the difference between traditional (distributive) bargaining and interest-based (or integrative) negotiations; learn to identify their own and others' interests, to create and claim value, and to craft constructive agreements for all parties.

    • 3
      credits

      Introduces the theory and practice of negotiation in a variety of settings, with specific emphasis on multiparty context; the course will allow students to develop these skills experientially and to understand negotiation in useful analytical frameworks.

      • Prerequisite

        BA 805

    • 3
      credits

      Aims to provide students with a toolkit that will allow them to diagnose individual and organizational source of power and influence as well as an array of tactics by which power and influence are wielded.

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    Real Estate Law and Valuation (9 credits)

    • 1
      credit

      Provides an overview of real estate evaluation and risk analysis, property rights and regulations, and financial real estate evaluation.

    • 2
      credits

      Covers principles, strategies, and techniques of negotiation with multiple parties involved in commercial real estate transactions, along with how to create financially viable agreements.

    • 3
      credits

      Explores economic theories of valuation applied to real estate as a guide to business decisions. Also covers understanding of real estate value, how to measure it, and its application to the real estate marketplace.

    • 3
      credits

      Analyzes contemporary law applicable to various types of ownership interests and rights, methods of transferring ownership, and use of real property. 

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    Strategic Leadership (9 credits)

    • 3
      credits

      Presents a senior executive perspective on the key opportunities and challenges faced by business leaders; includes discussions on the changing context for setting strategy and leading organizations in an evolving business environment.

    • 3
      credits

      Emphasizes identity issues that are critical to understanding individual and collective processes in organizational life.

    • 3
      credits

      Addresses the managerial challenge of strategy implementation, particularly by examining the organizational elements that must be drawn into line to support a strategy, as well as the immense difficulties of changing an organization. Relies on two overarching frameworks: a model of organizational alignment and a model for managing the change process.

    Back to Top

    Supply Chain Management (select 9 credits)

    Three (3) credits must come from SCM 800. Students can choose how to fulfill the remaining six (6) credits with the courses in this section. 

    • 3
      credits

      Introduction to the core concepts of the strategic supply chain management framework, including process orientation, a systems viewpoint, intra-frim coordination, and extended enterprise collaboration.

    • 3
      credits

      Performance metrics used in supply chain management, both within the enterprise and across the extended enterprise.

      • Prerequisite or concurrent

        SCM 800

    • 3
      credits

      Selecting, evaluating, and determining the nature of relationships with suppliers from the buyer's perspective within the context of industry and market knowledge. Additionally, understanding ethical conduct in business organizations.

      • Prerequisite

        SCM 800

    • 3
      credits

      Best principles and practices for production management as well as tools and models for demand forecasting and inventory management, particularly as it relates to the fulfillment of demand for finished goods.

      • Prerequisite

        SCM 800

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    Supply Chain Risk Management (select 9 credits)

    • 3
      credits

      Studies foundations of cybersecurity and the threats it aims to prevent.

    • 3
      credits

      This course examines the fundamental elements of crisis, disaster, risk, and emergency management.

      IST 803 should be taken prior to IST 564.

    • 3
      credits

      Introduction to the core concepts of the strategic supply chain management framework, including process orientation, a systems viewpoint, intra-frim coordination, and extended enterprise collaboration.

    • 3
      credits

      Explores how to identify, assess, and implement strategies and tactics for managing supply chain risk by building and maintaining resiliency in the supply chain.

      • Prerequisite

        SCM 800

    Elective courses and/or concentrations may change or be added to address evolving trends in the industry, current student feedback, and/or fluctuations in demand. For the most updated list of approved electives, please contact our program office directly at [email protected].

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    Optional Global Immersion Experience

    This learning experience is designed to enhance your ability to communicate cross-culturally, adapt to evolving business environments, and manage some of the key risks and benefits of operating on a global scale. The Global Immersion trip may include visits to corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities, as well as meetings with executives and government officials to learn about international business from those experiencing it firsthand in the country you are visiting.

    The Global Immersion trip and corresponding course(s) will be offered each spring. Please note that course work is required both before and after the trip. Online students may pursue the Global Immersion experience/courses in one of two ways:

    • Option 1: Take BA 836 for 1 credit in a spring semester. The 1-credit course will include the trip and associated pre/post-work. BA 836 would be an additional credit on top of the 33 required to graduate.
    • Option 2: Take BA 836 for 1 credit AND BA 835 for 2 credits during spring semester. Together, the 3 credits will involve more extensive course work in this subject area and will include the trip. The 3 combined credits for BA 835 and 836 may replace one 3-credit program elective course with approval. Please contact the program office with any questions.

    We aim to have enough students across programs to allow students to choose from 3–4 locations each spring. Past trips for the full-time and executive students have included Johannesburg, South Africa; Shanghai, China; Prague, Czech Republic; and Santiago, Chile. The trip choices will be made by the program faculty directors based on global business climate and corporate and alumni relationships that will allow for the most fruitful experience. Please contact the program office for more details, including fee structure, upcoming dates, and locations. Please note that students pay course tuition as well as an additional trip fee to participate in the Global Immersion experience.

    Course Availability

    If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

    Costs and Financial Aid

    Graduate Tuition

    Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

    2023–24 Academic Year Rates

    Tuition rates for the fall 2023, spring 2024, and summer 2024 semesters.

    How many credits do you plan to take per semester? Cost
    11 or fewer $1,017 per credit
    12 or more $12,203 per semester

    2024–25 Academic Year Rates

    Tuition rates for the fall 2024, spring 2025, and summer 2025 semesters.

    How many credits do you plan to take per semester? Cost
    11 or fewer $1,027 per credit
    12 or more $12,325 per semester

    Financial Aid and Military Benefits

    Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.

    How to Apply

    Deadlines and Important Dates

    Your degree application, including receipt of all transcripts, should be received by the following deadlines to be considered complete.

    • Summer DeadlineApply by April 15 to start May 13
    • Fall DeadlineApply by July 20 to start August 26
    • Spring DeadlineApply by November 15, 2024, to start January 13, 2025

    Space is limited and you are encouraged to apply early. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all seats are filled.

    Admissions Help

    If you have questions about the admissions process, contact our admissions counselors.

    Admission Requirements 

    For admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.

    Applicants likewise should have completed about three years of post-undergraduate, professional work experience. Managerial or team leadership experience is preferred, but not required. Less experienced candidates will be considered at the discretion of the program director.

    What You Need

    Applications are submitted electronically and include a nonrefundable application fee. Applicants who are in the military qualify for an application fee waiver. Contact us to request the military fee waiver code. You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:

    Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Penn State alumni do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State but must list Penn State as part of your academic history. If you are admitted, you will be asked to send an additional official transcript. You will receive instructions at that time.

    GRE/GMAT scores are not required and will not be accepted.

    English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.

    Program-Specific Questions/Materials

    Vita or Résumé — A  listing of your professional experience and education

    Statement of Purpose — A 2–3 page essay articulating career and educational goals

    Additional Information — May be requested by the program

    Start Your Application

    You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.

    Begin the Graduate School application

    • Choose "Degree Admission" as the enrollment type
    • Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus
    • Choose "Master of Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIENT)" as the degree

    Checking Your Status

    You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form.

    Technical Requirements 

    Review the general technical requirements for this program.

    Ready to Learn More?

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    Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State master's degree?

    Apply by April 15 to start May 13. How to Apply

    Start or Advance Your Career

    Two women reviewing documents together

    You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.


    Job Titles Related to This Degree

    The following roles are often held by people with this type of degree:

    • Business Development Director
    • Business Development Manager
    • Chief Innovation Officer
    • Product Development Director
    • Research and Development Director

    Employment Outlook for Occupational Fields Related to This Degree

    Estimates of employment growth and total employment are provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and are subject to change. While these occupations are often pursued by graduates with this degree, individual outcomes may vary depending on a variety of factors. Penn State World Campus cannot guarantee employment in a given occupation.

    Natural Sciences Managers

    5.9%
    employment growth (10 years)
    82,570
    total employment

    Architectural and Engineering Managers

    2.3%
    employment growth (10 years)
    197,180
    total employment

    Chief Executives

    -7.3%
    employment growth (10 years)
    199,240
    total employment

    Career Services to Set You Up for Success

    Student having a virtual meeting on a laptop with a career counselor

    From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.

    • Opportunities to connect with employers
    • Career counselor/coach support
    • Occupation and salary information
    • Internships
    • Graduate school resources 

    Earn an Additional Credential

    A figure walking on a path that includes a certificate part of the way through their progress

    Show mastery of specific subjects before your degree is complete. Thanks to shared courses across programs, students can complete a graduate certificate or second master’s degree concurrently in less time than if they pursue them separately.

    Programs Related to This Degree

    Maximize your ROI by earning multiple credentials along the way to your master’s degree. To learn more about Graduate School guidelines and schedules, contact an adviser by emailing [email protected].

    Gain the expertise to align your organization's higher-level strategic objectives with tactical enterprise-level projects and technology initiatives to improve overall effectiveness and efficiency. This program is recognized by the Business Architecture Guild.

    Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Business Architecture  

    Build a strong foundation across a wide range of business disciplines, including management, accounting, finance, leadership, and marketing. This interdisciplinary certificate is ideal for graduate professionals who lack any formal business training or education.

    Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Business Management Foundations  

    Learn sustainable business practices that can drive environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance while improving profitability, reducing cost and risk, and building competitive advantage. This program can prepare you to develop and implement a sustainability strategy for any size or type of organization.

    Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Business Sustainability Strategy  

    Build a strong foundation in the business, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills needed to develop groundbreaking products and services and manage high-performance teams. This online program is ideal for entrepreneurial-minded, creative thinkers who want to understand the principles of innovation and entrepreneurship in a corporate context or apply them in a startup.

    Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship  

    Supplement your technical engineering skills with courses focused on communication, ethics, entrepreneurial thinking, and professionalism. This online certificate program was designed for working engineering professionals who want to prepare for leadership positions.

    Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Engineering Leadership and Innovation Management  

    Gain the knowledge and skills required to succeed as an independent management consultant, member of a consulting firm, or in-house advisor in a corporate or public sector setting with this online graduate certificate program in management consulting.

    Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Management Consulting  

    Acquire the skills you need to gain support for your ideas, influence the outcome of negotiations, and successfully implement your solutions. This program can help you learn to identify personal interests and gives you the opportunity to practice strategies though multi-party negotiation scenarios.

    Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Negotiation and Influence  

    Explore the challenges that managers face when implementing corporate strategy and learn to shape organizational cultures that facilitate change with this online graduate certificate program in strategic leadership.

    Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Strategic Leadership  

    Learn to create a more secure supply chain using industry-proven strategies for managing interruptions as well as tactics for mitigating risks.

    Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Risk Management  

    Contact Us

    To learn more about the Master's in Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIENT), please contact:

    Penn State Smeal College of Business
    Professional Graduate Programs Office
    Phone: 814-865-5290
    Email: [email protected]

    For general questions about the application process, please contact:

    World Campus Admissions Counselors
    Phone: 814-863-5386
    Email: [email protected]

    Faculty

    • Shawn Clark

      • Degree
        Ph.D., Business Administration, Penn State
      • Degree
        Master of Organizational Behavior, Brigham Young University
      • Degree
        B.S., Brigham Young University

      Dr. Shawn Clark is director of the Farrell Center for Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship and a clinical professor of innovation and entrepreneurship in the Smeal College of Business. He teaches courses in corporate innovation, entrepreneurship, business planning, strategic management, enterprise modeling, project management, and business transformation consulting. His research focuses on business architecture modeling, corporate innovation, global prescience, enterprise transparency, and the strategic alignment of business and information technology.

    • Raghu Garud

      Degree
      Ph. D., Strategic Management and Organization, University of Minnesota

      Raghu Garud is the Farrell Chair in Innovation and Entrepreneurship and a professor of management and organization at Penn State. His research explores the emergence and adoption of novelty. Raghu was recognized by the Technology and Innovation Management Division of the Academy of Management as its distinguished scholar for 2020. In addition to many journal articles, Raghu has co-edited or co-authored several books.  

      He has served on the faculty at the Stern School of Business at New York University. Raghu also has been a Fellow of the Sydney Sussex College, the University of Cambridge, a visiting scholar at VU Amsterdam, the Copenhagen Business School, the University of Bologna, the University of St. Gallen, The Indian School of Business, and the Singapore Management University.

    • Jeanette Miller

      • Degree
        DBA, Business Administration, Georgia State University
      • Degree
        M.A., International Business (International Relations), Webster University
      • Degree
        B.A., Economics, University of Texas at Austin

      Dr. Jeanette Miller is associate director of the Farrell Center for Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship and an assistant clinical professor of entrepreneurship in the Smeal College of Business. She teaches courses in new venture creation, entrepreneurship, and managing startups. Her research focuses on social impact, student entrepreneurship, and measurement of impact investing on startups.

    Penn State Smeal Advantage

    More options, greater flexibility and a commitment to lifelong learning

    The desire for knowledge and professional growth spans a lifetime. That is why the Penn State Smeal College of Business offers a portfolio of professional graduate programs for all stages of your career. In partnership with Penn State World Campus, Smeal makes it easy to customize a learning plan to your unique career aspirations and busy schedule. Penn State Smeal offers you a lifetime of learning with more concentrations and one of the most integrated, flexible offerings of online and residential programs in the United States.

    Penn State Business building

    An entire team dedicated to your success

    Personal advising — Our experts will explain the many options that Penn State Smeal offers and will help you refine your career strategy and craft the educational experience best suited to your interests. It all starts with a simple, but critical question: “What are your goals?” 

    Career coaching* — Our Alumni Career Services team will support you across all career stages with professional advancement opportunities and coaching to help you stay focused on achieving your goals.

    Delivering the best of online and in-person learning for a rich educational experience

    We understand that today’s professional learners want meaningful discussion and interaction with faculty and classmates along with the technologies and flexible approaches of contemporary online learning. By aligning the best of both worlds, we bring richness, depth, and diversity to the overall educational experience.

    Courses designed to engage and motivate the professional student

    Creative Teams consisting of a lead faculty member, a Teaching Support Specialist (TSS), and an Instructional Designer use advanced analytics to develop and deliver contemporary graduate courses that promote application and engagement. We strive to innovate in ways that others don’t. 

    A real-world perspective

    • Industry professionals inside the virtual classroom — Many of Penn State Smeal’s courses feature industry professionals who have been in the trenches and work hard to make an impact every day. These individuals, most of whom hold a Smeal graduate degree, partner with our renowned faculty to provide a rich academic context with real-world application.
    • Global immersion* — This unique, optional experience will enhance your ability to communicate cross-culturally, adapt to evolving business environments, and manage the risks and benefits of operating on a global scale. Any student pursing a full degree from Smeal may participate in this optional, faculty-led experience for elective credit. Previous destinations have included Shanghai, China; Johannesburg, South Africa; Prague, Czech Republic; Santiago, Chile; and Zagreb, Croatia.

    One of the largest and most influential networks in the country

    At Penn State, you are part of a worldwide community of instructors, learners, and more than 750,000 alumni who support one another and make a meaningful impact. 

    More than 90,000 Smeal alumni benefit from connections around the globe as well as networking events, podcasts, webinars, a powerful LinkedIn community, and opportunities for volunteerism.

    Impact Smeal Day — This day provides alumni and professional graduate students with the opportunity to come to campus and interact with current students, network with other alumni, gain professional insights, and hear about college initiatives. The day is designed so that you can sign up for the sessions that work for your schedule.

    * Services are available only to students and alumni of Penn State Smeal’s degree programs and online degrees led by Smeal and delivered through the World Campus. Students and alumni of online graduate certificates are not eligible to receive these benefits unless they are also enrolled in a degree program.

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    Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State master's degree?

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