Bachelor of Science in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Bachelor of Science in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Transform an Idea into Reality

Turn a business venture into a success by using creativity, strategy and problem-solving skills. A Bachelor of Science in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Clarkson University can help you reach your dreams.

Why Major in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Clarkson?

If you want to be on the cutting edge of business, there is no place like Clarkson. Our programs are designed to help you spark original ideas, develop out-of-the-box solutions and use practical know-how to bring them to life. In the Reh School of Business, innovation is taught in our courses, experienced in our student initiatives and investigated in our research centers. We are considered education leaders in this area, with U.S. News & World Report ranking our program #36 in the nation and fourth in New York State.

The innovation and entrepreneurship major is interdisciplinary, flexible and hands-on. The skills you learn will be useful in established companies, startups or in your own business venture. This is your opportunity to turn a big idea into reality. Develop a product, from idea to launch. Explore strategies to create and grow an enterprise. Understand the rules and regulations to start a business. Develop marketing techniques to reach your target audiences.

We offer students ample opportunity to begin their own companies before graduation. Our faculty are renowned entrepreneurs and scholars who are eager to guide you. Receive one-on-one entrepreneurship coaching from experts. Enjoy unlimited access to our very own Innovation Hub and Clarkson Ignite, a campus-wide initiative that focuses on entrepreneurial problem-solving. You will graduate ready to hit the ground running.

What You'll Learn

You will complete classes in business fundamentals for the first two years of the program. You will then take the required courses for the major and other specialized courses. You can use electives to fulfill a minor or explore other fields.

The core requirements for the major are:

  • Commercializing Innovation
  • Consumer and Buyer Behavior
  • Creativity, Innovation and New Product Development
  • Designing and Leading Innovative Ventures
  • Economics of Innovation
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship Strategy
  • Marketing Research

The innovation and entrepreneurship program consists of 33 credit hours in Clarkson Common Experience, 42 credit hours in business foundation, 27 credit hours of specialized coursework, and 9 credit hours of professional electives.

Click here for a sample curriculum schedule

All courses are 3 credits unless noted.

Clarkson Common Experience

The following courses are required for all students, irrespective of their program of study. These courses are offered during the fall semester, with FY100 First-Year Seminar being required of only first-year students. Both FY100 and UNIV190 are typically taken during the fall semester of the first year at Clarkson.
FY100 First-Year Seminar (1 credit)
UNIV190 The Clarkson Seminar (3 credits)

Innovation and Entrepreneurship Core Requirements

Students are required to complete the following courses:

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

  • EC370 Economics of Innovation
  • SB322 Designing and Leading Innovative Ventures
  • SB437 Commercializing Innovation
  • SB440 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Strategy
  • MK321 Consumer and Buyer Behavior
  • MK332 Marketing Research
  • MK436 Creativity, Innovation and New Product Development

Professional Experience

All students participate in a project-based professional experience such as a co-op, an internship, directed research or a community project clearly related to the student's professional goals.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship Professional Electives

Students must complete three of the following courses:

  • AC305 Cost Accounting
  • AC407 Taxation of Business Entities
  • FN455 Venture Capital and Private Equity
  • IS301 Applied Data Analytics
  • LW466 Law of the Workplace
  • LW471 Law and Society II
  • MK306 Professional Sales
  • OM380 Project Management
  • OM476 Management of Technology
  • OS452 Advanced Human Resource Management 

School of Business Common First and Second Year

Students must complete the following courses, usually in their first and second year:

Common Curriculum

  • AC202 Financial Accounting 
  • AC203 Managerial Accounting
  • EC150 Principles of Microeconomics 
  • EC151 Principles of Macroeconomics 
  • EC311 Introduction to Econometrics 
  • IS211 Introduction to Enterprise Information Systems 
  • LW270 Law & Society I 
  • MA180 Introductory College Mathematics (4 credits)
  • MA181 Basic Calculus 
  • MK320 Principles of Marketing 
  • OM331 Operations & Supply Chain Management 
  • OS286 Organizational Behavior 
  • SB113 Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation I 
  • STAT282 Statistics 
  • Two science courses (one with laboratory) (7 credits)
  • Three elective courses (9 credits)

Innovation and Entrepreneurship Core Electives

Global Experience

A global experience is required for graduation for all Clarkson Business students. Employers want our graduates to understand different cultures and diversity and to have had first-hand exposure. Students will have a variety of opportunities, such as a semester exchange and/or faculty-led global business trips, to satisfy this requirement.

Knowledge Area/University Course Electives

Students will have approximately 15 credit hours available to use toward Knowledge Area and/or University Course electives.

Free Electives

Students will have approximately 3 credit hours available to use toward courses of their choice.

Gain résumé-worthy experience before you graduate. Apply the skills you've learned in the classroom with an internship or co-op assignment. Students in the program have completed internships in places like:

  • AXA Equitable
  • IBM
  • New Hampshire Junior Monarchs
  • Northwestern Mutual
  • Upbeat Studios

Learn more about co-ops and internship opportunities.

Join a faculty-led research project and form part of the next generation of innovators. Opportunities are open to undergraduates during the school year and summer sessions. Explore research at the David D. Reh School of Business.

Apply your skill set from the get-go. As a first-year business student, you will take Small Business 113: Entrepreneurship and Innovation. In this course, student teams form real companies and later pitch their business plans to investors for funding. This opportunity gives you a chance to gain important hands-on experience that will help you throughout the rest of your studies. You can also fuel your ambitions with the Reh Cup and other entrepreneurial opportunities.

Find a community of creators and innovators through Clarkson’s 200-plus student groups. Volunteer with the Clarkson Sustainability Club, explore the great outdoors with the Mountain Bike Club or find long-lasting friendships in one of our fraternities or sororities. Explore all clubs and organizations now.

Use your electives to round out your studies with a minor in a related field:

Product Development and Marketing Minor

Explore the concepts and tools that go into designing and marketing new products. Sharpen your creativity, and develop a portfolio that showcases your work. Learn more about the product development and marketing minor.

Psychology Minor

Discover what makes humans tick and the thought processes that guide our behavior. Develop critical problem-solving skills, and learn how to effectively present your ideas. Learn more about the psychology minor.

Communication Minor

Craft an impactful message, no matter what platform or medium you use. Take courses that develop your writing, speaking and graphic design skills. Learn more about the communication minor.

International experience is a requirement for all Reh School of Business undergraduate students. Not only does it open your eyes to whole new experiences, but it gives you a competitive edge in the job market. Students can choose to study abroad for a semester at one of Clarkson's international partner institutions, participate in one of our Global Business Program trip courses (students participate in a semester-long course, which culminates in a three-week international trip) or travel to nearby Canada for a series of four long-weekend trips. Learn more about all of our study abroad opportunities.

"I chose Clarkson because of their prestigious academic programs coupled with their top-tier hockey program. It was a perfect match. I choose to major in I&E because, when I first visited campus, it was the major that sounded most intriguing to me, and ever since then, it has only seemed like more of the right fit."

George Grannis '25, BS in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Career Possibilities

A degree in innovation and entrepreneurship is so versatile, you can use it for whatever your professional goals may be. It opens the doors to almost any industry and can be applied in a wide variety of roles. The skills you gain are also geared toward launching your own business venture, if you choose to do so.

Some of our students choose to continue their studies by pursuing MBAs or other graduate degrees at Clarkson University or at other institutions.

Our students have found roles as:

  • Advertising sales
  • Brand manager
  • Consultant
  • Director of internet marketing
  • Entrepreneur
  • GBS consultant
  • Innovation strategist
  • Inside sales executive
  • Legal and compliance assistant
  • Marketing analyst
  • Marketing director
  • New business processor
  • Product design specialist
  • Project director
  • Recruiting coordinator

Employers

Our graduates have found that their skills are in high demand. The Clarkson Undergraduate Class of 2023 had a 99-percent placement rate, with average starting salaries as high as $75K for Innovation & Entrepreneurship majors. Clarkson innovation and entrepreneurship majors can be found in companies like:

  • Amazon
  • Applause App Quality, Inc.
  • Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders
  • Deloitte
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Grintafy Technologies
  • Hand in Hand Soap
  • IBM
  • Illuminati Cosmetics
  • Iowa Hartlanders
  • Medallia
  • Oracle
  • Stagelink Media
  • Target
  • TRC Companies
  • Veritas Prime

Graduate Schools

Many of our graduates choose to pursue advanced degree programs. Many have pursued graduate degrees through Coulter School of Engineering or Reh School of Business programs, or Clarkson's other graduate programs. Other graduate schools where our students have recently enrolled include:

  • Boston College
  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • Duke University
  • IESEG School of Management
  • New York University
  • University of Michigan

Contact Us

Reh School of Business
Email: rehbusiness@clarkson.edu
Phone: 315-268-6613

Interested in learning more about the Bachelor of Science in Innovation and Entrepreneurship? Contact the Reh School of Business today with your questions.

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2023 Undergrad University Placement Rate

Innovation Hub

Find the resources you need to bring your vision to life. The Innovation Hub is home to the Shipley Center for Innovation, the Digital Making Suite and other spaces that help you develop your own business. Take a workshop, collaborate with others and participate in a pitch event.

Explore the Innovation Hub

Launch Your Future

Tap into your entrepreneurial mindset. If you see yourself as a founder, take the next step to earning a degree in innovation and entrepreneurship at Clarkson University.