HEC Paris has, in association with Coursera, launched their first fully online international degree program, Master’s in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OMIE). Applications are now open for the first intake of students with classes starting in September 2017.
The program is aimed at present and future business leaders interested in innovation within their organizations or launching new ventures.
Coursera is an online education company that partners with 150 of the world’s top universities and education institutions to offer courses, Specializations, and degrees. Founded in 1881 by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry, HEC Paris specializes in management education and research. It has a faculty of 138 full-time professors, more than 4,400 students and over 8,000 managers and executives in training each year.
HEC Paris Dean Peter Todd says the need for courses designed for entrepreneurial and innovative leaders is greater than ever. “In 2013, HEC Paris was the first business school in France to launch a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on the Coursera platform. Building on a long-standing experience in the production of such courses, this new online degree answers the needs of the ever-changing and rapidly-evolving world of business,” he says.
For the past 135 years, HEC Paris has produced world-class innovators and entrepreneurs. Its more recent ability to build open courses will now be leveraged to develop a fully online degree for the entire world. The program will expand access to a global audience of current and aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders, drawing from Coursera’s 25 million learners globally, the B-school said in a release.
Students who complete the degree will earn a Master’s in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from HEC Paris. Courses in the degree program are taught by the same faculty as HEC Paris’ on-campus programs, and graduates will join the HEC Paris alumni network
Coursera CEO Rick Levin is hopeful that the OMIE will make learning from a top business school attainable to people globally. “This is a degree for ambitious students who want to gain access to an international network of entrepreneurs and build high impact companies.
Thanks to a unique curriculum based on stackable credentials, participants can benefit at each level of learning. They can choose a single course, decide to specialize in one program, or embark on a full-fledged degree. This degree represents remarkable progress in providing equitable access to education from a highly reputable business school,” he says.
The online Master’s in Innovation & Entrepreneurship will be as selective as all other degrees at HEC Paris. But it is also designed to be flexible, allowing prospective students to start learning immediately on the Coursera platform with open enrolment Specializations. Once admitted, Specialization can then be credited towards the degree.
By the end of the program, successful applicants will understand how to combine talent and capital, manage rapid growth and reduce risk factors by using decision-making skills they have acquired. The program’s entrepreneurial angle also encourages students to explore a new way of thinking when faced with different opportunities in social ventures, governments, and life.
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“HEC Paris offers participants the opportunity to learn from world-class practitioners in their industries,” explains Peter Todd. “Through innovative, fully online and interactive courses, participants will leave the program ready to launch their own venture or to innovate within their existing organizations. This is a unique opportunity to earn an HEC Master’s degree and join the exclusive HEC Alumni network,” he adds.
Students will work in teams over a six-month period on a project of choice, from the planning stages to bringing the idea to life. They will receive mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs and business leaders who will meet with them once a week.
Successful graduates will be able to move their respective project into its next phase by applying for seed funding from HEC Paris, and have their project come to fruition at HEC’s incubator, based at Station F, the world’s biggest startup campus.
Students who complete the degree will earn a Master’s in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from HEC Paris. Courses in the degree program are taught by the same faculty as HEC Paris’ on-campus programs, and graduates will join the HEC Paris alumni network.
Admission Criteria
Applicants for the degree program must have a bachelor’s degree, 5 years work experience and English proficiency. They will also be asked to submit a potential project idea as part of their application. GMAT / GRE are recommended, but not mandatory.
Candidates should submit an application on the HEC Paris website, which includes a personal essay, resume / CV, two letters of recommendation, and other supporting documents.
There are two ways to gain admission to the degree program. The first one is to apply up-front which is the best option for participants who are committed to pursing the program, want to ensure they are admitted, and join the HEC community right away.
The second option is to start with the certificate program and apply later: This is the best option for participants who want to prepare for the degree, or gauge if they are ready, while earning a certificate that has professional value along the way. Strong performance in the certificate will be considered in the admission process and may count towards certain admission eligibility requirements.
Program fees
Tuition for the overall degree program is € 20,000. The certificate program by itself costs € 5,000, which can be credited towards the degree tuition upon acceptance into the program
