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MS in Innovation Management

The master of science degree in innovation management prepares students to lead the development and successful introduction of high technology solutions. Students in the program will gain expertise and experience in managing the innovation process: bringing new solutions from concept to widespread use, typically though not necessarily for profit.  Entrepreneurial students may focus on innovation in their own businesses, but most projects are done with existing organizations. The program is interdisciplinary, including courses from a number of academic departments and Colleges within RIT.

The program requires students to complete 48‡ quarter credit hours consisting of:

  • Eight required business courses designed to increase a student’s general knowledge of business as well as more innovation-specific areas such as technology management, project management, entrepreneurial activities (both traditional and within an existing organization), product commercialization, and research management.
  • Two innovation specialization courses in an area of the student's capstone project and approved by the Program Director. These classes are typically taken late in the program. Example areas include chemistry, bioinformatics, MIS, game programming, game design, digital business, software project management, and system security.
  • A capstone experience, which serves as an opportunity for students to integrate their business and technology expertise through the capstone preparatory and capstone courses. Students applying to the program must submit a one-page overview of a proposed project as part of their application materials. Changes from this proposal must be approved by the Program Director and the student's capstone project advisor.

Curriculum

Utilizing the vast array of resources and capabilities from the Saunders College of Business, the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computer and Information Sciences, and the College of Science, the MS in Innovation Management’s unique and highly multidisciplinary curriculum integrates practical, hands-on engineering, technology, and business management with course work in creativity, commercialization, and entrepreneurship. The program requires students to complete 46/48 quarter credit hours consisting of eight required business courses, two courses in an area of specialization, and a two-course Capstone experience.

Four Technology Specialization Courses from one of the following disciplines:

Required business & Innovation Courses (32 credit hours):
  0101‑703   Accounting For Decision Makers    
  0102‑740   Organizational Behavior & Leadership    
  0102‑742   Technology Management    
  0105‑761   Marketing Concepts    
  0106‑744   Project Management    
  0105‑778   Commercialization And Marketing Of New Products    
  0102‑720   Entrepreneurship And New Venture Creation    
  0102‑761   Managing Research & Innovation    
Innovation Specialization (6-8 credit hours):‡
  Two graduate courses related to the already-approved capstone project.  
Capstone project courses (8 credit hours):
  0102‑794   Innovation Management Capstone Preparatory    
  0102‑795   Innovation Management Capstone    

‡ Students selecting an innovation specialization that offers 3 credit hour graduate courses may complete the program with 46 credit hours rather than 48 credit hours. Approval is required by the Program Director.

For more information on this program call 585-475-7935, send us an email, or request more information.

When you are ready to apply, you can do so through the RIT Office of Admissions for Graduate Programs.