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About the MA in Innovation Degree

Why Study Innovation at Cedarville?

Cedarville University's Master of Arts in Innovation (MAI), offered by the Robert W. Plaster School of Business, is a specialized academic program that focuses on developing the knowledge and skills necessary to foster innovation in various industries and organizations. The program is at the forefront of this rapidly expanding field and will equip you with the tools and strategies needed to identify and seize opportunities, create value, and solve problems through innovation.

At its core, the program celebrates God's creativity and will encourage you to discover what innovation and creative problem-solving looks like from a Christian worldview and to become His creative image-bearers as you use creativity to serve others.

The curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with practical applications and hands-on experiences. It covers a wide range of subjects related to innovation, including design thinking, various forms of research, creativity tools, entrepreneurship mindset, market analysis, and strategic thinking. Throughout the program, you will engage in a variety of activities, such as case studies, group projects, simulations, and real-world problem-solving exercises. You will generate your own "problem worth solving" and carry that idea sequentially through the progression of courses.

A master's degree in innovation will give you the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to lead and drive innovation within organizations, foster a culture of creativity, and contribute to economic growth — all from a biblical worldview.

The MAI is offered as a unique collaboration between the Cedarville University Plaster School of Business and the International Center for Creativity in Columbus, Ohio.

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What Sets Cedarville Apart?

  • Biblical Worldview
    All courses are built on the solid foundation of Scripture.

  • Online
    All courses are offered in an online format, with flexible part-time and full-time completion options.

  • Leading-Edge
    This degree is one of a kind among evangelical Christian universities.

Program Overview

Program Highlights

Biblical – With Cedarville’s biblical focus in every course, you will recognize God as the Master Creator and the author of all creativity.

Hands-on Learning – As part of your online coursework, you’ll learn by doing, blending knowledge and skills, theoretical ideas and practice. 

Career Preparation – Along with this focus on innovation, you will study practical business coursework in leadership, marketing, and business creation that will equip you as a valuable asset in any organizational setting.

Online — Courses are offered in convenient online format, allowing you to study from anywhere in the world.

Flexible — Seven-week terms provide flexibility for working professionals.

Adaptable — Interactive course websites optimized for multiple devices including computers, tablets, and smartphones.

Affordable — Affordable tuition and available financial aid.

Supportive — Dedicated program advisor ensures support while you pursue your degree and maintain other commitments.

Networking Community — Cohort-based approach builds community and network for Christian professionals.

What Can You Do With a Master of Arts in Innovation?

A master's degree in innovation will prepare you for a wide range of career opportunities. You can pursue roles such as innovation managers, product development managers, business consultants, entrepreneurship advisors, or technology commercialization specialists. You may find employment in various sectors, including ministry, missions, technology companies, consulting firms, startups, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or within larger corporations that value innovation and seek to stay competitive in a rapidly changing business environment.

Here is a sampling of job titles:

  • Chief Innovation Officer
  • Product Innovation Manager
  • Marketing Director
  • Director of Product or Service Design
  • User Experience Consultant
  • Senior Design Engineer
  • Entrepreneur

Admission, Costs and Aid, Start Dates

Admission Requirements — The first step in your graduate school journey at Cedarville is to apply for admission.

MA in Innovation admission requirements

Costs and Financial Aid — Your decision to pursue quality, Christian graduate education represents a valuable investment in your career and professional development. To assure your degree is also affordable, Cedarville graduate programs are competitively priced and can be supplemented with a variety of financial aid.

MA in Innovation Cost Information

Program Start Dates — Applications are accepted throughout the year, and you can enroll and begin classes in August, October, January, March, May, or July.

Concentrations — Choose from two in demand concentrations for the MA in Innovation:

Program Curriculum

You will take the following core courses as part of the Master of Arts in Innovation:

  • Management and Leadership of Organizations
  • Strategic Marketing Planning
  • Emerging Trends and Opportunities for Innovation
  • Design Thinking Principles for Innovation
  • Advanced Design Thinking Principles for Innovation
  • Business Modeling and New Venture Creation
  • Creativity to Entrepreneurship

Then, you will customize your degree by choosing a concentration based on your career goals:

Business Innovation Concentration

  • Information Technology for Competitive Advantage
  • Project Management
  • Responding to the Marketplace
  • Applied Leadership

Business Analytics and Visualization Concentration

  • Managerial Data Analysis
    – Course prerequisite: Undergraduate statistics course or equivalent competency
  • Data Warehousing and Visualization
  • Business Forecasting and Econometrics
    – Course prerequisite: BUS-6100 and an undergraduate economics course or equivalent competency
  • Data Mining for Business Analytics

Program Format and Related Programs

Cedarville offers both graduate and undergraduate programs, with flexible completion options. You may also want to consider these related programs as you consider the degree or program that is a best fit for you.

Program Level and Format

  • Graduate
  • Online
Professor speaking with male student in hallway.

From Our Faculty:

  • The concept of innovation is needed in every organization and is applicable to a broad range of professionals. It’s the marriage of creative problem-solving with business, and it can serve anyone — people in charge of company departments, engineers, executives.
    Jim Stevenson, President, International Center for Creativity
    Jim Stevenson, director of the International Center for Creativity
Learn About Career Services

Program Contacts

Photo of John Delano

John Delano, PhD

Associate Dean, Robert W. Plaster School of Business; Professor of Information Technology Management

Contact

Photo of Kelley Anderson

Kelley Anderson

Graduate Enrollment Advisor for Business and Innovation

Contact

Photo of Jim Stevenson

Jim Stevenson

President, International Center for Creativity

Contact

Robert W. Plaster School of Business

Program News

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    Autonomous Ambulance Concepts Designed by Creative Students

    Although the semester is just getting started, Cedarville University industrial and innovative design seniors have already wrapped up a five-week transportation design project with the aim to save lives.
  • Lake View of DMC and BTS

    A National Leader Among Christian Online Education

    College Consensus, a national research organization that combines the latest college rankings with thousands of student review scores, named Cedarville University No. 2 in the country among Christian universities for having the best online programs.