Entrepreneurship and Innovation Online Certificate
Take a multidisciplinary approach to becoming an entrepreneurial-minded leader.
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Request InfoEntrepreneurship and Innovation Certificate Overview
The University of West Florida’s online Entrepreneurship and Innovation certificate is designed to help you excel in starting your own business and become an innovative leader. The AACSB-accredited curriculum offers a multidisciplinary approach to innovation and entrepreneurship, incorporating instruction from various subject areas.
In just one year, you can complete the online certificate.
Candidates for This Program Include:
- Undergraduate non-degree seeking students.
- Students, regardless of degree or major, who are interested in innovation or aspire to start their own business.
You Will Be Able To:
- Identify and define the key attributes of entrepreneurial organizations, including innovation, proactiveness, competitive aggressiveness, risk acceptance, autonomy and strategic renewal.
- Differentiate organizational factors and leadership attributes that foster or inhibit creativity and innovation.
- Demonstrate professionalism and confidentiality as appropriate.
- Adhere to strict confidentiality protocols of the host enterprise.
- Demonstrate self-awareness and creativity, ideation and innovation process skills by completing of team projects, while learning about the collaborative nature of the healthcare innovation management process.
Refer to UWF Cost of Attendance Estimates and Financial Literacy for more information on UWF costs and financial aid.
Courses and Requirements
UWF’s online Entrepreneurship and Innovation certificate program includes a total of nine credit hours and requires completion of the following courses with a grade of C or higher.
- ENT 2612 - Entrepreneurial Creativity and Innovation
3 Credit Hours
Entrepreneurial Creativity and Innovation
This course explores the integral role creativity and generation of ideas play in the innovation process. The course is designed to examine the theory behind creativity and innovation and to analyze how individual characteristics and organizational processes can enhance creativity. Students will engage in experiential learning assignments and exercises to facilitate skill development and increased confidence in these important areas. Students will work individually and in teams to apply the course content to a variety of real-world scenarios.
- ENT 4615 - Foundations of Entrepreneurial Leadership
3 Credit Hours
Foundations of Entrepreneurial Leadership
The course provides a transformative experience beyond the classroom by helping student develop an entrepreneurial mindset that can be applied to startups as well as organizations of all kinds. The class will promote active learning and engagement. Student will be required to address the challenges of generating new ideas, designing valued innovations, conceptualizing business opportunities and envisioning new business models in a global framework to achieve a competitive advantage.
Elective – Choose from a list of approved ENT/INN-related courses – 3 credits
- ENT 2612 - Entrepreneurial Creativity and Innovation
- ENT 3802 - Small Business/Family Business Management
3 Credit Hours
Small Business/Family Business Management
Introduces the student to the world of small business and family business management. Explores the managerial processes related to these areas and differentiates them from those found in corporations and large organizations. Provides the student with an opportunity to analyze the mind of the small business manager, brainstorm potential business options, and consider various contemporary issues facing the small business manager. Group projects will be utilized and oral and written reports will be required. Junior standing is required for degree seeking students.
- ENT 4940 - Internship in Entrepreneurial Leadership
3 Credit Hours
Internship in Entrepreneurial Leadership
This internship is facilitated through the Center for Entrepreneurship and marks the final step toward completing the Innovation Leadership minor. It affords students the opportunity to be embedded in an actual enterprise, learn first-hand how innovation works in that enterprise and contribute to the success of the enterprise. Candidate enterprises may include new entrepreneurial ventures as well as those existing enterprises who partner with the Center for Entrepreneurship and the College of Business. Students will engage in experiential learning assignments and exercises and work to achieve the experiential objectives in a variety of real-world scenarios. All proposals for internship must be approved by advisor, chairperson and sponsor. All internships include seminar on internship experience, including weekly journals, written reports and an oral presentation to department chairperson. Graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis only. Permission is required.
- MAN 4801 - Business Plan Development for New Ventures
3 Credit Hours
Business Plan Development for New Ventures
Students working in teams will brainstorm potential business options and develop a business plan to serve as a strategic roadmap for the proposed venture as well as the basis for seeking financial support from lenders and / or investors. Business plans will be presented to a jury of practitioners who will evaluate its practical merits and the presentation. Group projects will be utilized and oral and written reports will be required. Senior standing is required for degree seeking students.
- MAN 3240 - Behavior in Organizations
3.0 Credit Hours
Behavior in Organizations
A study of human and group behavior in organizations and within society. The focus is on developing student ability to work in group settings and organizations. Topics include personality, motivation, leadership, communication, power, change, and conflict. May not be taken for credit by students having credit INP 3313. Prerequisite: Completion of 45 hours of college course work is required prior to taking this course.
- MAN 4280 - Business Leadership and Change Management
3.0 Credit Hours
Business Leadership and Change Management
A course on Leadership and Change Management to prepare students to respond to the needs of a dynamic global business climate. Prepares students to take responsibility to work collaboratively with others in developing change management strategies in bringing about change and overcoming resistance. Prerequisite: Completion of 60 hours of college course work is required prior to taking this course.
- ART 2821 - The Self, Creativity, Your Career and Visual Culture
3 Credit Hours
The Self, Creativity, Your Career and Visual Culture
This class is designed to teach students abstract and creative thinking through the dynamics of visual culture. Incorporated into the course are the ways we process and read the visual world that surrounds us. Students will explore theories of cognition and creativity. Although this course is based in theoretical constructs, the practice of High Impact Learning experiences will be utilized in order to apply creative thinking in the major field of study students are pursuing. Ultimately, students will learn how to apply the creative method to a diverse array of disciplines, helping to foster entrepreneurship in their chosen career paths. Meets General Education requirement in Humanities.
- MAR 3202 - Supply Chain Logistics Management
3.0 Credit Hours
Supply Chain Logistics Management
Presents the fundamental elements of integrated supply chain and logistics management. It examines the strategic and operational decisions necessary to plan, implement, and control the procurement, storage, management, and distribution of materials, components, and finished goods. Emphasis is placed on product, service, information, and financial flows as facilitated by supply chain logistics strategies, transportation and distribution center operations, facility and network design, inventory and order management, customer service, information execution systems, and outsourcing decisions.
- CTS 4950 - Innovative Solutions for Industry
3 Credit Hours
Innovative Solutions for Industry
Innovative Solutions for Industry is a teams-based problem-solving course that allows students to develop a deep understanding of the requirements of a specific industry. Over the academic term, students will work intimately together on teams to rapidly iterate prototypes and produce solutions to problem sponsors' needs. Student teams will utilize the lean methodology, which emphasizes customer discovery, and will experience the intensities and challenges of a startup company. Government and/or business sponsors shall support and mentor teams during the term.
- HFT 2000 - Introduction to the Hospitality Industry
3 Credit Hours
Introduction to the Hospitality Industry
Introduction to management career options within the hospitality industry; which includes lodging, food and beverage, meetings and conventions, recreation and leisure, gaming entertainment, cruising, clubs, and transportation. The importance of leadership and service culture are also discussed.
- HFT 3053 - Travel and Tourism Management
3 Credit Hours
Travel and Tourism Management
Future innovative hospitality leaders will explore the critical connections between destinations, communities, and the hospitality and tourism industry. Economic, environmental, and socio-cultural impacts of the hospitality and tourism industry are differentiated, assessed, and analyzed through real-world.
- EEL 4990 - Engineering and Technology Entrepreneurship
3 Credit Hours
Engineering and Technology Entrepreneurship
Course description coming soon.
- ENT 3802 - Small Business/Family Business Management
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission into the University of West Florida’s online Entrepreneurship and Innovation certificate program, you must be admitted into the University as an undergraduate non-degree seeking student.
How to Apply
Once accepted as an undergraduate non-degree seeking student, contact the College of Business and speak to an advisor about course availability and scheduling, and complete the online Undergraduate Certificate Declaration Form on MyUWF.
Have questions about this program or the admissions process? Contact our undergraduate admissions team at admissions@uwf.edu. If you are a current UWF student, please reach out to the department academic advisor.
Costs & Financial Aid
Component | Cost | Total* |
---|---|---|
In-state Tuition | $384.60 per credit hour | $14,999.40 |
In-State Tuition with Maximum Transfer Credits (Up to 10) | $384.60 per credit hour | $11,153.40 |
Full Out-of-State Tuition | $1,044.24 per credit hour | $40,725.36 |
90% Out-of-State Tuition | $478.83 per credit hour | $18,674.37 |
Tuition waivers cover up to 90 percent of the non-resident portion of your tuition and are available to non-Florida residents (including international students) admitted to online programs and registered for online courses in active pursuit of that degree or certificate. You must pay all other assessed tuition and fees.
Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress. Fees are charged per semester unless otherwise noted. This program takes up to two semesters to complete, depending on course availability.
* Tuition and fees are subject to change.
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Alabama Differential Out-of-State Tuition
Residents of Alabama are eligible for Alabama Differential Tuition, a reduced out-of-state tuition rate. For more information and to verify residency status for tuition purposes, new undergraduate students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and new graduate students should contact the Graduate School. Current enrolled students should contact the Office of the Registrar.
Active Duty Military
All active-duty members of the Armed Forces who are residing or are stationed outside the state of Florida shall have all (100%) out-of-state fees waived by the university. Contact the Military and Veterans Resource Center (MVRC) to apply for the Active Duty Military Out-of-State Waiver.
UWF Short-Term Financial Assistance
The University of West Florida provides eligible students with an alternative to paying the full amount of tuition, housing and meal plans at the beginning of each term in the form of an installment payment plan or a short-term loan.
Military Students
UWF is a Military FriendlyⓇ School proudly serving active-duty U.S. military members and veterans. As UWF has been a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program since 2011, you could be eligible to receive free tuition with your military benefits.
See How We Can Serve YouFinancial Aid
Funding your college education should not empty your wallet. We offer various financial aid options for our online students, including loans, scholarships and grants for degree-seeking students.
Learn More About Financial AidCareer Outcomes
When you complete the online Entrepreneurship and Innovation certificate program, you can pursue employment in various business fields.
* Salary and job outlook information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs start companies and oversee their development. Tasks include setting up startups, hiring and managing employees, and overseeing every aspect of businesses.
Management Occupations
Managers oversee business functions in a variety of environments and industries. Much of their work focuses on allocated resources, including people, equipment/tools and finances, to help companies achieve goals. The median annual wage for management occupations is $109,760 and employment is projected to increase 5% by 2029.
Chief Innovation Officers
Chief innovation officers examine how new ideas impact companies. From managing the flow of those ideas, originating new ideas and overseeing technological change within organizations, chief innovation officers take a leading role in how the innovation process transforms business strategies, opportunities and technologies.