Social Entrepreneurship, Certificate

• Although most students complete the program in 9-12 months, you will be allowed up to 3 years to complete the program. 
• Participants can start the program during the fall and spring terms. 

Entrepreneurship is a way of thinking, a way of seeing problems as interesting challenges that call for innovative solutions. And when those solutions also improve the human condition, you unlock a realm of possibilities for your future.

The Social Entrepreneurship graduate certificate will help you develop skills in Design Thinking, Customer Discovery & Social Change that will help you develop effective solutions to real world problems. Upon completion, you will be able to: 

• Use the principles of human-centered design to identify societal, community, and individual needs.
• Demonstrate skills required by successful entrepreneurs, including team building and leadership, negotiation, working in complex social and cultural environments, and applying theoretical frameworks for enhancing entrepreneurial success.
• Apply concepts of innovation and entrepreneurship in new ventures and existing ventures.  
• Identify and apply tools, methods, and self-reflection techniques necessary to evaluate the market viability of innovative ideas.  
• Identify various social, health, and biomedical enterprise strategies and critically assess their effectiveness in economic development and social transformation.
• Test assumptions about social innovation design through rapid prototyping. 
• Apply user research methods to iteratively refine concepts and prototypes.  
• Explain basic principles of accounting, financing models, equity financing, investing and diverse types of funding including crowdfunding, angel investors, grants, and venture capital. 
• Conduct a market analysis and apply the marketing mix as it relates to health and social enterprises.  
• Develop a marketing plan for a social or health venture. 

Our campus’ network connects student entrepreneurs with legal assistance, small business advising, mentorship from local industry-leaders and the opportunity to collaborate with other fellow entrepreneurs. 

As a student of the program, you will have the opportunity to further nurture your idea with the Grid Incubator. Selected student entrepreneurs will join a supportive community full of diverse mentors, advisors, and industry professionals to help grow their venture. Beyond the campus, Baltimore's Social Innovation ecosystem is surging, with several dozen strategically placed incubators, accelerators and angel funds that can take your concept to the next level. 

Required Courses

• INNO 600: Foundations in Health and Social Innovation (3 credits) 
• INNO 602: Methods in Innovation (3 credits) 
• INNO 640: Business and Finance (3 credits) 
• INNO 642: Marketing Strategies (3 credits) 

See Course Descriptions

Beyond the campus, Baltimore's Social Innovation ecosystem is surging, with several dozen strategically placed incubators, accelerators and angel funds that can take your concept to the next level.

Resources available to you as a student:

• Grid Student Incubator 
• Grid Pitch 
• Student Social Venture Fund 
• President's Student Leadership Institute 
• President's Entrepreneurial Fellowship