Graduate certificate in technology entrepreneurship: New business opportunities for engineers, scientists, and Business students

Abstract

This paper describes the design of an Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Technology Entrepreneurship at Texas Tech University (TTU). This graduate certificate was designed for students who would like to develop a cross-disciplinary perspective in technology using both engineering and business skills. We based this certificate on a previous Undergraduate Certificate in Technology Entrepreneurship that is jointly delivered by the Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering and the Rawls College of Business Administration. We believe that a Graduate Certificate in Technology Entrepreneurship is the logic next level needed to promote entrepreneurial spirit. We analyzed all graduate courses offered from the colleges of Architecture, Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and Business and designed a 12 credit-hour graduate certificate. These courses provide tools, objectives, case studies, strategies, and business plan developments, so every willing student can apply them to develop new opportunities at any entrepreneurial level. This study introduces a cross-campus certificate model that utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to education and will prepare TTU students to succeed in technology-driven industries. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2009.