The Entrepreneurship & Innovation major provides MBA students with skills, analytical tools, perspectives, and experiences that prepare them for careers as autonomous entrepreneurs, family-business entrepreneurs, or entrepreneurs in corporate settings. Whether a student wants to start a business while in school, join an emerging business, or set the groundwork to launch a new firm later in his or her career, the program aims to provide preparation for all of these exciting options. Entrepreneurial skills and thinking are actively sought by more competitive and profitable growing businesses. The special strength of this program is that it combines theory with practice, providing students the opportunity to test the theories, models, and strategies learned in the classroom by creating real business plans, working on other field projects, and gaining access and insight from leaders in the entrepreneurial business community.
Endowed in 1997 by Robert B. Goergen WG’62, The Goergen Entrepreneurial Management Program is based on the leading research conducted by Wharton faculty. The program is distinguished by its ability to combine theory with practice, allowing students to gain access and insight from the entrepreneurial business community. His generous gift endows the teaching programs in entrepreneurship at Wharton, including a Robert B. Goergen Professorship, funds for course development, and fellowships for new faculty.
Requirements for the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Major
The entrepreneurship and innovation major consists of a total of 5.0 credit units. Only 1.0 cu of one of pass/fail coursework can be counted towards the major:
a) One credit unit (1.0 cu) of the Management Core (any combination of Management core courses up to a maximum of 1.0 cu).
b) MGMT 801: Entrepreneurship (0.5 cu) is required for the major and cannot be waived or substituted. Students are recommended (but not required) to take this foundation course before the elective courses listed in section ‘c’ below.
c) Three and a half credit units (3.5 cu) of the following:
Students may petition to substitute other courses (including INSEAD and other exchange program coursework) toward the requirements of the major. Such requests will be expected to demonstrate that the student is pursuing a coherent plan of entrepreneurship and innovation studies at Wharton. Petitions should be sent in writing to the Entrepreneurship and Innovation academic advisor, Nellie Gaynor at nelliebk@wharton.upenn.edu. Other courses cannot exceed 1.0 cu equivalent of Wharton coursework. Only 1 cu of Independent Study Project or Advanced Student Project including Global Modular Courses or MKTG 890, Global Consulting Practicum, can be counted toward the major and must have approval by the department. To access an ISP/ASP registration form (as well as other MBA Program Office forms) see here.
Program Information
- MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation
- MBA Management
- MBA Multinational Management
- MBA Organizational Effectiveness
- MBA Strategic Management