University of New Haven Helping to Launch Groundbreaking Master’s Degree for Entrepreneurial Engineers

The University of New Haven and Trinity College are partnering with the University of Connecticut to create a first-of-its kind master’s degree in engineering that is specifically geared toward entrepreneurs.

July 3, 2018

The way Ron Harichandran, dean of the University of New Haven’s Tagliatela College of Engineering sees it, engineering and entrepreneurship are inextricably linked.

"Engineering graduates who will be leaders in today’s rapidly changing environment must possess an entrepreneurial mindset and a variety of professional skills in addition to technical knowledge," he and several colleague wrote in a paper presented at a conference sponsored by the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).

Dean Harichandran and his faculty will bring this expertise as they partner with the University of Connecticut and Trinity College to create a new Master of Engineering in Global Entrepreneurship, the first entrepreneurial graduate degree in Connecticut focused on engineering.

The program is being developed to enable novice entrepreneurs to learn best practices, receive mentorship from veteran entrepreneurs, and be set up for success.

The University of New Haven, a member of the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network, has created nearly 20 e-learning modules designed to develop an entrepreneurial mindset in students that have been used by 55 faculty members from 43 other colleges and universities. Another 25 faculty members are expected to use the learning modules in the upcoming academic year.

"Entrepreneurial thinking results in the development of a sound technical solution that addresses customer needs, is feasible from a business perspective, and has societal benefit." Harichandran and his colleagues continued in the ASEE paper

Over the next couple of months, the University will work with UConn and Trinity to develop the curriculum, establish an advisory board, create a virtual inter-institutional platform, and start recruiting for the first cohort of students.

To learn more, contact Dean Harichandran at rharichandran@newhaven.edu.