Preparing future leaders to generate ideas, build scalable solutions, and turn innovation into real economic and market value in high-growth sectors.
The Micro-Master in Entrepreneurship and Innovation is developed in close collaboration with Amazon as an industry partner, ensuring strong alignment with labor market needs and the realities of today’s innovation-driven economy.
The program consists of three courses totaling nine credit hours and is designed to support both career advancement and entrepreneurial readiness. It equips learners with practical skills and applied knowledge to lead innovation across different sectors, including startups, established corporations, and social enterprises.
The curriculum spans two semesters and covers the full innovation journey from idea generation to commercialization. It also emphasizes how innovative business models can be used to address social and environmental challenges, preparing graduates to create both impact and value.
Upon completing of the certificate, students will be able to:
Assess the recent trends and unique challenges in entrepreneurship and innovation across various contexts, including startups, social enterprises, and established companies;
Devise the full lifecycle of innovation, from idea generation to commercialization;
Develop strategies to address social and environmental challenges through innovative and sustainable business models.
The credit bearing micro-master is comprised of three courses from the Master of Science in Innovation Management (M.S.) program:
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Credit hours |
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Innovation and Entrepreneurship |
3 |
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Social Innovation |
3 |
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Commercialization of Innovation |
3 |
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Total Micro-Master credit hour requirements |
9 |
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This micro-master is stackable and allows students to apply the earned credits toward the Master of Science in Innovation Management if they choose to continue their studies, provided that they meet the admission requirements.
The Micro-Master in Entrepreneurship and Innovation targets working professionals, including entrepreneurs launching new businesses, small business owners aiming to scale, and product managers seeking to enhance their ability to bring successful products to market. It also serves corporate strategists who want to sharpen their decision-making skills, respond effectively to market changes, and promote a more innovative organizational culture. In addition, the program is well-suited for consultants who seek to provide stronger strategic guidance to clients pursuing innovation, launching new products, or entering new markets. Beyond experienced professionals, it also appeals to recent graduates and individuals seeking career advancement in entrepreneurship and innovation.
The micro-master allows students to attend either in person or online in real time. All exams are conducted on campus. The program emphasizes hands-on learning through real-world case studies and applied projects. Courses integrate Amazon guest lectures, workshops, case studies, and potential site visits.
To qualify for admission to the Micro-Master in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, applicants must meet the following general requirements:
Upon completion of the three designated Program courses, recipients will receive a co-branded certificate issued by AUD and Amazon.
Certificate recipients who have successfully completed the three designated Program courses shall be eligible to enroll in the Master of Science in Innovation Management within a certain period of time from the date of certificate issuance, details included below. Upon enrollment, the completed Program courses shall be officially recognized as credited coursework on their academic transcript, thereby exempting them from re-taking these courses. The recognition of credits is subject to AUD’s prevailing academic policies at the time of enrollment.
Students should consult with the Admissions Office for further details at admissions@aud.edu.
Graduate students (including those taking Foundation courses) who do not register for two consecutive terms will be considered “inactive” and will be notified of their status by their program’s Academic Committee in writing. Inactive students will be required to make their plans known to their Program Director, also in writing, regarding resumption of their studies. As a rule, students who are inactive for two consecutive terms beyond the first two, i.e., for a total of four consecutive terms of non-registration, will be terminated. Exceptions to this rule must be approved by the respective Program Director on a case-by-case basis. Should inactive students who have been dropped from a graduate program eventually decide to resume their studies, they will be required to apply for readmission to the program. Approval of readmission will not be automatic but will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
A student desiring to re-enroll at AUD after a period of one year from the official date of withdrawal or inactivity is considered a new student. Should the student decide to resume their studies, they will be required to apply for readmission to the program and will be required to complete the degree in accordance with the Graduate Catalog in effect upon their reenrollment. Readmitted students, who will exceed the time limit for completion of their degree, must submit an appeal along with the reapplication form. A student desiring to re-enroll after less than a one-year period from the official date of withdrawal should contact the Office of the Registrar to initiate the re-enrollment process.
All graduate coursework and other requirements must be completed no later than five calendar years from the date of initial admission to the graduate program. Study terms, inactive terms during which the student was not registered in any courses, and, if relevant, the three terms
As per AUD’s dual-credit policy, AUD undergraduate students who qualify for dual-credit graduate courses can enroll in IPIN602 (Innovation and Entrepreneurship) in their final year. Undergraduate students who do not meet the dual credit requirements are not eligible to enroll in the micro-credential program.
For more information about the tuition fees, please click here.
