MPI students

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.

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Evening Classes

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13-18 Months

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Team-Based

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Scrum Training

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Design Thinking

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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!

Isaiah Harvin headshot

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+

Watch our interview with Isaiah

Shannon Eastwood headshot

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

Watch our interview with Shannon

Jimmy Ricks headshot

The MPI program is where I honed my customer first mindset.

- Jimmy Ricks, Class of 2018
Product Manager, Conversational AI Products at Capital One

Watch our interview with Jimmy