Master of Science in Innovation and Management
Program Director
Michelle Haught
MSIM@montana.edu
The Master of Science in Innovation and Management (MSIM) is a 30-credit, one-year STEM-designated graduate degree program designed to build on the foundation of strong technical and analytical skills developed in your undergraduate program. The managerial, organizational, and entrepreneurial characteristics of successful executive teams align with six key pillars: Business, Innovation, Management, and Entrepreneurship; Critical Thinking and Project Management; Emotional Intelligence and Cross-Functional Team Alignment; Decision Making and Leadership; Effective Communication; and Personal and Professional Development.
Admission
Students may be recent graduates, young professionals, or anyone who is looking to further their career with an experiential learning environment that bridges the gap between technology and business.
To apply, see Application Process below. Applicants must be formally admitted by The Graduate School after the preliminary recommendation for admission is reached by the MSIM Director. Refer to The Graduate School's Admission Policies webpage for additional information at: http://www.montana.edu/gradschool/admissions/.
Dates & Deadlines
Priority Scholarship Deadline: December 20; Early Application Deadline: March 15. Applications received after these dates will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Application Process
Applicants to the MSIM program must complete an online Application for Graduate Admission, which can be accessed at: http://www.montana.edu/gradschool/apply.html.
The following documents are required in order for your application to be considered complete and eligible for review:
- Application and the non-refundable $70 application fee
- Official transcripts from each university attended (MSU transcripts past 1988 need not be submitted)
- Two letters of recommendation. Please do not ask for letters of recommendation from family members, friends, roommates, etc.
- 500-1,000 word essay on your motivations for entering the program
- International students must also submit official minimum test scores from acceptable testing agencies (TOEFL: 80-internet-based [iBT], IELTS: 6.5, or 120 Duolingo), a financial certificate with supporting documents, and degree certificates.
The MSIM program is highly selective, with a limited number of openings available to qualified students. The MSIM Director will admit those students whose previous academic performance and/or work experience indicate a desire and ability to excel. Test scores and records of academic performance are evaluated individually in the admissions process. Of equal importance, however, are the applicant's personal qualifications, accomplishments, and letters of recommendation. The applicant's entire file is reviewed in order to ensure the admission of those with the highest aptitude, motivation, and qualifications.
More details about MSIM requirements can be found at: https://www.montana.edu/business/innovation-management/what-will-i-study.html
Financial Assistance
The Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship (Jabs) offers scholarship assistance for graduate students. A scholarship application is made available by the MSIM Director after acceptance into the program.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a list of frequently asked questions, please see the MSIM webpage within the Jabs website at: https://www.montana.edu/business/innovation-management/
Program Requirements
The MSIM program is a 30-credit, one-year STEM-designated graduate degree. The students will complete the program in two consecutive semesters with 15 credits per semester. Students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average while in the program.
Students in the MSIM program are part of an exclusively selected cohort model. The cohort is a dynamic, cross-disciplinary group of peers who bring diverse perspectives and backgrounds that creates a powerful synergy where innovation thrives. The MSIM program has a dedicated collaborative learning space in which the students will take all their coursework.
The experiential learning aspect of MSIM is where students find the most value. Students will work with real companies, solving complex problems, and work across multiple disciplines to bring innovation to life. Through a mix of coursework, experiential learning, and industry collaboration, students develop the strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and marketable leadership skills that companies are looking for.
| Year 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Spring | |
| BGEN 510 - Innovation Sprint 1 | 1 | |
| BMKT 580 - New Product Innovation | 3 | |
| BMGT 535 - Applied Data Science | 3 | |
| BMGT 570 - Leading for Influence | 3 | |
| BFIN 530 - Accounting and Finance for the Entrepreneur | 3 | |
| BGEN 520 - Life Design and Career Development 1 | 2 | |
| BGEN 515 - Innovation Sprint 2 | 1 | |
| BMKT 585 - New Product Introduction | 3 | |
| BMGT 565 - Operations and Supply Chain Management | 3 | |
| BMGT 560 - Innovation and Technology Strategy | 3 | |
| BGEN 570 - Business Law, Government, Society, and Ethics | 3 | |
| BGEN 525 - Life Design and Career Development 2 | 2 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 15 |
| Total Program Credits: | 30 | |
Refer to The Graduate School's Policies and Procedures webpage for additional degree requirements at: http://www.montana.edu/gradschool/policy/index.html. Students are expected to be familiar with the degree requirements of both the Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship (Jabs) and The Graduate School.