A cross-disciplinary master’s program focused on students applying knowledge in advanced product innovation, entrepreneurship, and intrapreneurship topics with real-life clients.
Master of Product Innovation
The Master of Product Innovation (MPI) at VCU is designed for creative thinkers and doers from a wide range of undergraduate backgrounds who want to ideate and launch innovative products, projects and initiatives in some of the world’s most leading edge companies.
While students in our programs come with design, engineering, healthcare, business, and even social sciences and the arts, they all share common traits of unconventional thinking, a track record of producing highly creative work, and a collaborative and optimistic spirit.
If this sounds like you we’d love to meet you.
Evening Classes
13-18 Months
Team-Based
Scrum Training
Design Thinking
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.
As a student, you will graduate with the ability to...
- Plan, apply, and execute product innovation skills for developing and launching new products and services;
- Serve as an interface between different departments and disciplines within an organization;
- Become an effective product innovation team leader and project manager;
- Utilize innovation and entrepreneurial mindset and methodologies;
- Develop strategy and roadmaps for maximizing product innovation performance by teams and business units;
- Translate opportunities into product specifications, commercial concepts, and eventual new product introductions.
- Develop their own product, service or business and work towards capital.
Learn more and apply!
The M.P.I. program hones competency in the area of product innovation. Students will:
- Demonstrate successful collaboration skills
- Demonstrate the ability to conceive and develop product concepts and related business plans
- Demonstrate the ability to think across multiple disciplines
- Demonstrate the ability to create and deliver effective presentations and other communication media such as reports and portfolios
The Master of Product Innovation requires a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours for completion.
Learn more on the VCU Bulletin
The courses per semester listed below are based on a 13 month completion of the Master of Product Innovation program.
Ready to apply? Check out the deadlines below. Once your application has been submitted, the next step in the process is a group interview. Please clear and hold the date and time that corresponds to your application deadline in preparation for this part of the process. Your group interview will be scheduled for a two hour block within the hours listed and you will be notified of the specifics shortly after the application deadline. All interviews will be held virtually.
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APPLICATION DEADLINE |
INTERVIEW DATE/TIME |
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December 15 EARLY DECISION |
January 23, 2025 // 12pm - 6pm |
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February 15 SUMMER/FALL START |
March 4, 2025// 12pm - 6pm |
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June 15 FALL START |
June 30, 2025 // 12pm - 6pm |
To allow time for all the appropriate paperwork and procedures, international students who are not already studying in the United States (with an F-1 Visa and active I-20) need to apply for fall admission by the deadline below.
Once your application has been submitted, the next step in the process is a group interview. Please clear and hold the date and time that corresponds to your application deadline in preparation for this part of the process. Your group interview will be scheduled for a two hour block within the hours listed and you will be notified of the specifics shortly after the application deadline. All interviews will be held virtually.
|
APPLICATION DEADLINE |
INTERVIEW DATE/TIME |
|
March 15 |
April 2, 2025 // 10am - 12pm |
The MPI program allowed me to have the time and space to let my curiosity fly. I have been able to dive into a variety of topics and projects that have helped to shape my perspective on innovation and approaches to making an impact.
-Isaiah Harvin, Class of 2020
Product Manager at Disney+
My experience at the da Vinci Center enabled me to pivot my career - I was able to expand my network of industry professionals and build a new network of collaborators and influencers.
-Shannon Eastwood, Class of 2018
Senior Product Manager at Aquent
The MPI program is where I honed my customer first mindset.
- Jimmy Ricks, Class of 2018
Product Manager, Conversational AI Products at Capital One
