GSU Online prepares next generation of innovators through three certificate programs
April is World Creativity and Innovation Month, a time to celebrate individuals who think boldly, challenge the status quo and bring new ideas to life. If you’re a forward-thinker with the desire to ignite change, Georgia State University is the perfect place for you.
Ranked the No. 2 most innovative university in the country in the 2023 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges, GSU Online offers three flexible graduate certificates in innovation that can help you put your ideas in motion, no matter where you are.
“We believe that being innovative is a way of thinking – it’s a mindset,” said Jennifer Sherer, Georgia State University’s executive officer for entrepreneurship and director of the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Institute. “There’s a set of tools and processes that can be applied regardless of what industry you’re in or even what position within an organization you hold. This mindset will better equip our students to continue in a world that is continually changing and increasingly complex.”
The Disruptive Innovation and Entrepreneurship Graduate Certificate is designed for those who want to gain the knowledge and skills to bring their ideas to fruition. Students in this certificate program create value propositions, develop business models and hone their pitching skills for investors and customers.
“It’s really structured for individuals who are interested in thinking like an entrepreneur and an innovator, and applying what they learn within any context,” Sherer said.
And while students who work in large corporate settings can use the certificate to expand their knowledge and apply new principles to their workplace, the certificate is also focused on helping those who want to launch a new business or venture.
For those who are interested in fintech concepts, the Online Graduate Certificate in Fintech Innovation is an ideal fit. Fintech technologies, including debit, credit and prepaid card sales, represent a high-demand industry, and those who have a mastery of fintech concepts have a competitive edge in the business world. The certificate program prepares students to apply innovative fintech concepts and solutions to a variety of business problems.
Finally, the Artificial Intelligence Business Innovation Graduate Certificate is ideal for individuals who seek to become “citizen data scientists,” people who may not have programming experience but who want to be prepared to leverage AI technologies to address business challenges and master the basics of data programming, machine learning and predictive analytics. As AI technologies continue to be integrated into the business world, the demand for citizen data scientists is projected to sharply rise, making the program a fit for individuals who desire to be at the forefront of business innovation.
Students in all three certificate programs will develop soft skills such as emotional intelligence and communication, as well as the courage to experiment with emerging technologies through the Robinson College of Business’s Innovation Studio, a required course for every certificate that enriches the student experience through hands-on laboratory learning and ample opportunities for networking and collaboration.
The Innovation Studio course was designed by Elizabeth Strickler, director of media entrepreneurship and innovation at Georgia State’s Creative Media Industries Institute. In the course, Strickler challenges students to propose a business, start-up or non-profit that they are passionate about.
“In the first part of the class, students look for a problem to solve, and in the second part of the class they look for the solutions to the problem,” Strickler said. “I try to individually align each person’s project with their goal for the end of their program.”
All the certificates are offered through Robinson Anywhere, an advanced education platform that closely mirrors an in-person learning environment. Students enrolled in these courses can engage in real-time dialogue and collaborate with faculty, speakers and peers from all over the world. The academic experience includes a digital boardroom, two digital classrooms and two digital study rooms.
“The way that we go about teaching innovation and entrepreneurship is very experiential and hands-on,” Sherer said. “It’s about practicing and doing. Our faculty have worked very hard to take what, traditionally, was done in the classroom and use models and simulations in order to still be able to provide that high-impact, hands-on learning experience online.”
Each certificate consists of four courses and can be completed in as little as two semesters (nine months). For those who want to take their education a step further, the course credits can be applied to a future master’s degree, including the Flexible MBA, M.S. in Information Systems and M.S. in Data Science & Analytics programs.