Product Innovation, Master of (M.P.I.)

Program mission and objectives

Integrating arts, business and engineering principles, students in the Master of Product Innovation learn advanced product innovation topics pertaining to conceptualization, development and commercialization of new products/services. Through unique instruction and experiential learning that culminates with a yearlong master’s project, students have a real product innovation experience. The program emphasizes product innovation and teamwork skills so that graduates can take on key leadership roles that stimulate the creation, development and management of new products and services.

Student learning outcomes

The M.P.I. program hones competency in the area of product innovation. Students will:

1. Demonstrate successful collaboration skills
2. Demonstrate the ability to conceive and develop product concepts and related business plans
3. Demonstrate the ability to think across multiple disciplines
4. Demonstrate the ability to create and deliver effective presentations and other communication media such as reports and portfolios

VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs

The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.

It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the Graduate School website and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.

Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.

Degree candidacy requirements

A graduate student admitted to a program or concentration requiring a final research project, work of art, thesis or dissertation, must qualify for continuing master’s or doctoral status according to the degree candidacy requirements of the student’s graduate program. Admission to degree candidacy, if applicable, is a formal statement by the graduate student’s faculty regarding the student’s academic achievements and the student’s readiness to proceed to the final research phase of the degree program.

Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following degree candidacy policy as published in the VCU Graduate Bulletin for complete information and instructions.

Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on degree candidacy requirements.

Graduation requirements

As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.

Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following graduation requirements as published in the Graduate Bulletin for a complete list of instructions and a graduation checklist.

Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on graduation requirements.

Apply online today.

Admission requirements

Special requirements

• Applicants from any specialization/background are encouraged to submit five to 15 examples of past project work. No test scores are required to apply. A personal interview may be requested.

In addition to the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School, the following requirements represent the minimum acceptable standards for admission:

1. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university
2. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for at least the last two years of undergraduate work — unless approved by the director of academic programs
3. For applicants whose native language is not English, satisfactory scores from a standardized test commonly used and deemed appropriate for evaluation of English language proficiency, such as the TOEFL
4. Three letters of recommendation
5. Applicant’s written statement of intent for pursuing graduate study in the product innovation discipline

Degree requirements

The Master of Product Innovation requires a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours for completion. In addition to general VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, students must:

1. Complete an orientation experience prior to the first full semester of study in the program
2. Complete the required core curriculum courses (12 or 15 credit hours of specified course work depending on undergraduate degree)
3. Complete two elective courses (six credit hours) with one of these courses at the 600 level
4. Complete the master’s project courses (12 credit hours) (The master’s project is mandatory for all students.)

The program can be taken either on a full-time or part-time basis.

Curriculum requirements

The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 30.

Sample full-time enrollment plan of study for summer start

The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 30.

Sample full-time enrollment plan of study for fall start

The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 30.

Contact
Garret Westlake 
Executive director, da Vinci Center for Innovation, and graduate program director
gmwestlake@vcu.edu
(804) 828-3477

Program website: davincicenter.vcu.edu/programs/master-product-innovation