Mar 29, 2024  
Rensselaer Catalog 2022-2023 
    
Rensselaer Catalog 2022-2023 [Archived Catalog]

Master of Science in Technology Commercialization and Entrepreneurship


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This degree is designed to facilitate the commercialization of discoveries and inventions, and to create new start-ups or new platforms of business in established companies. Students with one of the following profiles should consider this degree: 1) Scientists and engineers who envision themselves running a laboratory, 2) Scientists and engineers who have developed intellectual property that they would like to commercialize, 3) Anyone with a curiosity about advanced technology and a passion for innovation.

The program is structured in three parts: 1) A set of five foundational business courses, 2) Two law courses, 3) Three electives that may be chosen from across three tracks. The tracks are a) management of innovation courses in Lally, b) policy courses, typically in the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences and c) technical courses. The technical courses may be selected from those delivered by any of the Institute’s Schools as long as the student meeting prerequisite requirements for the course.

A two-semester Professional Development Workshop series is also required, to help students develop business communication, teamwork, leadership, and job search skills.

Outcomes of the Graduate Curriculum

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to demonstrate:

  • mastery of the conceptual, strategic, and execution dimensions of innovation, technology commercialization, and entrepreneurship.
  • correct application of cutting-edge management, legal, ethical, and economic frameworks and concepts to analyzing technology commercialization and entrepreneurship opportunities. 
  • demonstrate knowledge of the behavioral, financial, and strategic drivers of technology communication and entrepreneurship. 
  • familiarity with a broad range of emerging technologies regarding commercialization, adoption, and diffusion.
  • ability to explain and address challenges associated with bringing technology related ideas from lab to market.
  • ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to describe technology enabled business opportunities.
  • knowledge of key business functions. 

Required Management Core Courses


15 Credits

  • MGMT 6963 - Intellectual Property Law 
  • MGMT 6965 - Legal issues for Entrepreneurs

Required Professional Development and Career Workshops


  • MGMT 7770-1 Prof. Development Workshop 1/Career Workshops  Credit Hours: 0
  • MGMT 7780-1 Prof. Development Workshop 2/Career Workshops  Credit Hours: 0

Electives Science and Technology Related Courses


9 Credits

Students may elect to concentrate in one track or combine them to best meet their academic goals. Sample courses from an evolving list are provided for each track below:

Management of Innovation Track: Sample courses:


Policy track: Sample courses:


  • STSO 6961 - Epochal Technologies Credit Hours: 3
  • STSO 6963 - Energy Politics Credit Hours: 3

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