Mar 28, 2024  
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2021-2022 
    
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2021-2022 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Entrepreneurship & Sustainable Innovation, M.S.


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Contact Information


Academic Director, MSESI Program 

David Choi, Ph.D. 

Office Location: Conrad N. Hilton Center for Business, Room 371 

Telephone: 310.338.8707 

Fax: 310.338.2899 

Introduction


The College of Business Administration (CBA) offers the MS in Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Innovation (MSESI) designed for individuals seeking to launch a start-up or innovate practices within their organization. In partnership with the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering, the MSESI program will:    

  • develop entrepreneurial and innovative leaders who help fashion a more sustainable and resilient world through the creation and development of new products, services, processes and enterprises;  

  • accelerate the students’ intellectual and professional growth leading to the launch of new professional careers or new ventures by building business and technical capabilities and professional experiences;  

  • engage students in the Silicon Beach/Los Angeles/California ecosystem through a comprehensive set of curricular and co-curricular programming and activities that introduce students to new professional and entrepreneurial career opportunities; and 

  • promote and support the global entrepreneurship and innovation network of current students, alumni, and affiliated external partners that enhance the professional opportunities for all.  

The MSESI is offered in a hybrid program structure, which offers the best of traditional and non-traditional student learning experience: the in-person combined with the flexibility of doing coursework online. This approach provides flexibility for graduate students who usually balance a full-time job, family obligations, and generally busy schedules. Entrepreneurs are also subject to balancing several aspects of launching a company in addition to family and other obligations. Further, the hybrid model for the MSENSI provides non-traditional learners, professionals and perhaps stay at-home individuals, the opportunity to experience discipline and focus; learn with peers and professors; experience freedom and flexibility with their schedule; and develop personal support and connections with faculty, classmates, and mentors. 

Mission Statement


The mission of the Loyola Marymount University College of Business Administration is to advance knowledge and develop business leaders with moral courage and creative confidence to be a force for good in the global community. The mission of the Loyola Marymount University MSESI Program provide graduates the opportunity to gain essential skills and experiences to best compete for a place in today’s innovation economy and launch a professional entrepreneurial career.  

To accomplish its mission, the MSESI Program utilizes faculty, entrepreneurs and practitioners who regularly extend the boundaries of their discipline and practice demonstrating in the classroom their ability to create and enact ideas into reality. Although teaching styles and techniques vary, all focus on the current technological, environmental, political, economic, and social issues that are forming and shaping the many environments of business and society. The MSESI curriculum is one of breath with a culminating capstone. To that end, the basis of the program is broad in integration and practice. Students are able to learn about broad issues then integrate knowledge of sustainability and ethics in their final capstone. Additionally, students will have access to mentors who will guide them through the productive development and start-up or innovation process. The high quality of the MSESI Program is confirmed through its accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. 

Admission Requirements


Once an application is complete, applicants will be notified by the CBA Graduate Programs Office within one month. The following items must be received prior to application review. 

  1. Applicants must apply and pay the $50 application fee online at https://graduate.lmu.edu/apply/

  1. Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. All applicants with degrees earned outside the United States must have transcripts evaluated for equivalencies to U.S. degrees. 

  1. A current resume.  

  1. A personal video no more than 2 minutes in length, choosing a prompt provided on the admissions website

  1. Applicants whose native language is not English and have not completed a bachelor’s degree or higher at a university in the United States or other country where English is the primary language must submit a TOEFL score or IELTS score. 

  1. Personal Statement–no more than 2 pages (12-point font, double-spaced) that addresses why you are applying to the M.S. in Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Innovation program, what your short-term and long-term goals are for your education and career, why LMU is a good fit for your professional development needs and how you will contribute to the supportive and entrepreneurial community we are committed to building. 

  1. Applicants may be asked to participate in an interview with a member of the admission committee. Interviews are by invitation only. 

  1. GMAT/GRE test scores are not required. However, applicants may wish to submit scores to demonstrate sufficient strength in the areas of quantitative and analytical reasoning. 

Students may enter the program in Fall semester only. 

Attendance in MSENSI classes is limited to individuals who have been admitted to the program and who are registered for the class. Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Academic Director of MSESI. 

Proficiency Prerequisites


All students admitted to the MSESI Program must be proficient in spoken and written English composition, business mathematics, and computer applications. Successful completion of a college-level course in business math or intermediate algebra is required. 

Attendance and Residence


Students are expected to be continuously enrolled in the MSESI Program. A Leave of Absence (LOA) may be granted for up to one year at the discretion of the MBA/MS Programs Director and the Office of the Registrar. If a student needs to request a Leave of Absence, the student must contact the MBA/MS Programs Office to initiate the process. Individuals who remain on leave for more than two years must formally reapply for admission. Readmission is based on the admission criteria and the curriculum that are in effect at the time of the resumption of classes. 

Program Structure


The MSESI program is designed in a hybrid format, combining both asynchronous online and in-person learning, to maximize the learning objectives of the program. The MSESI combines content-based and applied learning, which are knowledge and skills necessary to develop entrepreneurs and innovative leaders.  

The program requires 36 units of courses; 11 courses at 3 units each. 10 of the 11 courses will be in a hybrid format, with 1 of the courses meeting in-person. Hybrid courses will be approximately 41% (18 hours) of online asynchronous content and 59% (27 hours) of in-person meetings.  

The first course the students will take is Creativity, Innovation, and Design (3 units). This course will introduce students to creativity and innovation and apply the content. The course is also designed in an intensive format in the fall semester to bring the cohort together and learn about team dynamics. Intensive course schedule is specified dates and times meetings. Meetings for this course usually occur in consecutive dates and/or weeks with meetings times being six or more hours in a day. The dates and times will be specified. 

All other courses offered in the program will meet in-person beginning week one and will meet every other week (weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, etc). In-person meeting will be scheduled during the evening beginning at 6:30pm to accommodate part-time students. This schedule also provides full-time students the ability to work on projects, meet with mentors, partake in site-visits, do an internship or work in the earlier part of the day. During the off-weeks, weeks 2, 4, 6 etc, students will focus on online asynchronous content, work on group or individual projects/start-ups, partake in an internship, etc. 

Student Registration, Counseling, and Degree Works


Registration must be completed each semester during the dates specified in the LMU Academic Calendar provided by the Office of the Registrar. 

Newly-admitted students are required to meet with the MBA/MS Programs academic advisor prior to registering for their first semester of classes. In subsequent semesters, students are not required to obtain course approval for registration, unless on academic probation. Each student is responsible for following the curriculum plan outlined by the MSESI Program exclusively. Enrolling in non-LMU MS courses may result in credits not applying towards the MSESI degree. 

Students are encouraged to meet informally with faculty for general academic guidance and the Office of Career and Professional Development (CPD) for career guidance. 

Degree Works 

The Office of the Registrar uses Degree Works to certify students for graduation, and all areas in Degree Works must show MET before the student may graduate. A student should review his or her Degree Works regularly to make sure that courses are listed in the correct areas. Degree Works may be adjusted by the student to allow for course substitutions, waived requirements, or any other variance in the program of study. These adjustments are made through the MBA/MS Programs Office. 

MSESI Program Policies


Responsibility and Academic Standing 

A student is responsible for knowing academic and administrative policies and regulations affecting their program of study and for abiding by all such policies and regulations during their period of enrollment at the University. Continued enrollment is subject to compliance with the academic and administrative policies and regulations. Failure to understand the policies and regulations does not relieve a student of her or his responsibility for adhering to the policies and regulations. 

A student must maintain in each semester the stated minimum cumulative grade point average for each of the requirements in the degree program. The calculation of standing is based on all courses taken at LMU. MSESI students must maintain a B average (3.0) in term, major, program, and cumulative GPA, with a C or higher in every core course. The calculation is based upon courses taken in Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. 

Academic Probation and Disqualification 

Academic probation constitutes a serious warning to students that their academic performance is unsatisfactory and continued failure to improve this record may result in being disqualified from the University. Additionally, a student who does not make satisfactory progress in the course of study is subject to probation. Further, the Dean or Director may impose restrictions on students on probation regarding the program of study and their participation in scholarship or extracurricular activities at LMU. 

Conditions for Academic Probation 

Any MSENSI student who, in any semester, fails to earn a “B” (3.0) average or whose cumulative grade point average in the MSESI Program falls below a “B” (3.0) will be placed on academic probation. Students on academic probation will be ineligible for scholarships and tuition remission. 

Conditions for Disqualification 

MSESI program disqualification is based upon two consecutive semesters (Fall, Spring, or Summer) in which work of less than grade of B (3.0) average is earned or in which the student fails to meet conditions imposed by the Dean or other academic entity. Summer sessions are used to calculate if a graduate student is subject to disqualification. 

Disqualification terminates a student’s relationship with the University. A disqualified student may not register in any division or session of the University, and is denied all privileges of the University, including all organizations or activities in any way connected to the University. 

Academic Dishonesty 

The MSESI Program abides by the LMU Honor Code in matters of academic honesty. Please refer to the Academic Degree Requirements and Policies section of the University Bulletin for more information. 

Repeating Courses 

Students may repeat a course previously taken at LMU in a subsequent term one time only, including any withdrawals; the prior occurrence is excluded from the cumulative grade point average but remains on the transcript. Please note that although the GPA for that term will change accordingly, the academic status of the previous term will not change. 

A student who earns below a C in a core course will be required to repeat that course. 

Grade Appeals 

Please refer to the Academic Degree Requirements and Policies section of the University Bulletin for more information. 

Incomplete Grades 

“I” (Incomplete) indicates that the student has not completed the work for a given course. The student must remove the “I” in order to qualify for graduation. Students who wish to retake the course must pay regular tuition for the repeated course. 

When a professor has granted an “I,” it is the student’s responsibility to arrange a deferred grade. The professor submits a “Deferred Grade Form” with the final grade to the Office of the Registrar. 

Any graduate student who in a given term receives a grade of I (Incomplete) for a course and who subsequently completes the course will receive a grade that is retroactive to the term when the student first registered for the course with all the impact it entails on the student’s academic standing. 

Academic Advising 

An Academic Advisor is available for all MSESI students to assist in navigating through the program curriculum. 

Advising is optional, unless a student is on academic probation, in which case the student must be advised prior to registration. MSESI Advisor Holds will be placed on the student’s record and not removed until the student has been advised. 

Masters


Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Innovation, M.S.


To qualify for the MS in Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Innovation (MSESI) degree, the admitted student must satisfy the requirements of 11 courses. MSESI course descriptions and prerequisites are listed in the University Bulletin. Course syllabi are available on the MSENSI student page on Brightspace. 

Learning Outcomes


  • Graduates will understand the various environmental and social issues and challenges that the world is/will be facing as well as the new opportunities those challenges bring in order to make a difference. 

  1. Students will be able to identify the major environmental and social issues and challenges affecting the environment, organizations and people’s quality of life. 

  1. Students will be able to broadly assess the potential environmental, health, social and economic consequences of various environmental and social problems. 

  1. Students will be able to explain the major attempts underway by governments, corporations and scientists to deal with the environmental and social challenges. 

  • Graduates will build various essential technical competencies including certain analytical methods (e.g., lifecycle analysis) as well an appreciation for technological opportunities and challenges in commercializing clean technologies. 

  1. Students will be able to demonstrate competency in life cycle analysis and other relevant analytical tools.  

  1. Students will be able to explain the opportunities and challenges of the major solutions such as solar, wind and energy storage technologies. 

  1. Students will be able to explain the commercialization processes of key past and current clean technologies. 

  • Graduates will apply a design and innovation tool-set to analyze and create new disruptive products, services and processes. 

  1. Students will be able to utilize design thinking and related creative methodologies to develop new product or process ideas. 

  1. Students will be able to integrate the needs and constraints from multiple stakeholders, e.g., customer, manufacturing, financial, etc., to design an optimal solution. 

  • Graduates will demonstrate the core entrepreneurial management competencies, e.g., strategic and financial planning as well as sales and marketing capabilities in the development of a new project or business. 

  1. Students will be proficient in the entrepreneurial process (e.g., recognizing and evaluating opportunities and conducting feasibility analysis). 

  1. Students will be able to identify and analyze entrepreneurial opportunities (e.g., performance improvement or new business opportunities) pertaining to an existing organization. 

  1. Students will be able to understand financial models and the financing processes for starting and growing a new venture. 

  1. Students will be able to develop a marketing plan to create awareness and acquire customers with limited budget 

  1. Students will be able to explain the legal process associated with starting a company including forming an entity, licensing in and assigning technology, founder agreement, basic employment law, and investment agreement. 

  • Graduates will demonstrate their basic understanding of law, ethics and social responsibility as they pertain to sustainability. 

  1. Students should be able to recall the major legislations and treaties affecting the environment. 

  1. Students will be able to identify an ethical/legal dilemma in a business situation and apply an ethical/legal model or framework to propose and defend a resolution. 

  1. Students will be able to identify social responsibility and incorporate them in their analysis of business situations. 

  • Graduates will enhance professional acumen through executive mentoring, internships, new venture launch, and related co-curricular activities. 

  1. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of leadership principles within themselves and in organizations. 

  1. Students will demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills. 

MSESI Curriculum


Students will be required to enroll in core courses that develop their entrepreneurial and innovative mindset while also introducing them to the sustainability framework, emerging technologies and basic science. Students will also be required to enroll in a practicum/capstone and attend field trips/co-curricular activities that supplements the entrepreneurial experience in the classroom. Total semester hours requirement is 36 semester hours. 

Curriculum


The curriculum consists of core courses in entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial management; sustainability and technology/science; and a practicum/capstone course spanning over two semesters.  

Core courses are prefixed ENSI for the MSESI Program.  

Core courses are described in the next section. They include the following: 

Entrepreneurship & Entrepreneurial Management Courses 

 Sustainability and Technology/Science Courses 

​Capstone - taken over two semesters (spring and summer) ​​

Capstone Project 

The capstone project is flexible and mostly self-directed. Students will choose whether you want to work on a small team or individually and select from one of two types of projects: a new venture launch or a corporate project. Although the capstone project course formally begins in the spring semester, students will lay the groundwork for their project throughout the program. 

Students are supported by a team of experts including nationally ranked LMU entrepreneurship faculty, Seaver College of Science and Engineering faculty, experienced program staff, the MSESI Advisory Board, industry executives and successful entrepreneurs. 

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