Saylor Academy Master's in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MEI) Degree
An MEI is a specialty degree. Like many specialty degrees, the MEI targets the curriculum to focus on Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Since it is more targeted, this program is shorter and more specialized in the courses than a student would take in our MBA program. After an introduction to entrepreneurship, the course progression quickly focuses on entrepreneurship and innovation in the context of the business planning process.
The MEI has a substantial value for students thinking about either creating or joining an existing startup or are currently working in a large corporation earlier in their career and would like to bring an entrepreneurial mindset into the students’ skill canvas. An MEI is also particularly useful for mid-career professionals who would like to consider a career change and join a startup environment.
Program Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this MEI program will be able to:
- Compose, develop, and execute an ideation process;
- Choose an entrepreneurial and/or intrapreneurial idea based on feasibility studies and related analyses;
- Construct a business plan;
- Address leadership and legal issues involved in entrepreneurship and/or intrapreneurship;
- Present a business plan;
- Develop a strategic plan for a business;
- Leverage and manage financial data to make business decisions;
- Create and implement a marketing plan for a business; and
- Evaluate the effectiveness of entrepreneurial venture activities.
Admission Requirements
There are no standardized test requirements. To be accepted into the MEI program, applicants must meet the following prerequisites:
- Proficiency in English: All students must demonstrate college-level English reading and writing proficiency. For non-native English speakers, completion of Saylor Academy’s English as a Second Language (ESL) courses may be required prior to program acceptance.
- Bachelor’s Degree Requirement: Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution to be admitted into the MEI program.
- Residency Requirement: Applicants must reside either in the US state of Florida or outside the United States and its territories. Residents of US states and territories other than Florida and residents of Iran, Syria, Crimea, Cuba, or North Korea are not currently eligible to join this program.
- Entrance Exam: Before formal admission into the program, students must successfully complete the MEI Entrance Exam with a minimum score of 80%. Study materials, including a preparation course, are available to help students get ready for the exam.
- Course Completion: The prospective student must satisfactorily pass MEI601: Financial Management with an 80% or higher score. This course also grants three graduate credits in the MEI program.
- Enrollment Agreement: Students must complete the Master's in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MEI) Enrollment Agreement upon achieving the required score on the MEI Entrance Exam.
Application and Enrollment Process
Upon successful completion of the respective entrance exams and any required prerequisites, students may register within 90 days for admission to their program of choice by completing the online enrollment agreement, including official proof of identity and a transcript of an earned bachelor degree from an accredited institution. Students will be promptly notified after Saylor Academy review and approval and can then begin the program.
Pre-Entry Course Requirements
In order to gain admission to the MEI program, all students must first complete the MEI entrance exam testing the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and pass with a minimum score of 80%, followed by the successful completion of MEI601 Financial Management. Students must also complete the enrollment agreement including official proof of identity and a transcript of an earned bachelor degree from an accredited institution for review and approval prior to enrollment. There are no waivers available for these requirements .
MEI Mandatory Prerequisites
These two courses provide the foundational knowledge needed to succeed in the core MEI courses:
- MEI001: MEI Entrance Exam
- MEI601: Financial Management
MEI001 and MEI601 must be completed in order before moving on to other core courses.
Core Courses
After completing the foundational courses, students can take the following courses in any order:
- MEI602: Marketing Management in Entrepreneurship
- MEI603: Entrepreneurial Leadership
- MEI604: Innovation & Sustainability in Entrepreneurship
- MEI605: Business Law & Entrepreneurship
- MEI606: Ethical & Strategic Management
MEI602-606 can be taken in any order and must be completed before taking MEI607.
Sequenced Courses
Once MEI602-606 are completed, the final four courses must be completed in order:
- MEI607: Creativity & Ideation
- MEI608: Entrepreneurial Planning
- MEI609: Innovation & Entrepreneurship Launch
- MEI610: Entrepreneurship Seminar
These courses integrate all previous learning into a final project or examination of real-world management challenges.
Students must complete all MEI courses with a minimum score of 80% to earn the Master's in Entrepreneurship and Innovation degree.
Proctoring Fees
All final exams must be taken in a proctored environment through SmarterProctoring. Each session costs $5.00, and each course requires one proctored exam.
Program Catalog
You can read the full Program Catalog here.
Licensure and Accreditation
Florida Commission for Independent Education
Saylor Academy is licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education. Additional information regarding this institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400, toll-free telephone number (888) 224-6684.
ASIC International Accreditation
Saylor Academy holds International Accreditation from ASIC (Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges, and Universities). ASIC Accreditation is a leading, globally recognised quality standard in international education. Achieving ASIC Accreditation demonstrates that an institution is a high-quality education provider committed to continuous improvement throughout its operation.
Getting Started
- If you do not have one, please create a Saylor Academy Degrees account.
- Once logged in, select the “Enroll in a Degree Program” link from the banner or go to the Program Catalog.
- Choose the MEI Prerequisites program (Pre-MEI).
- Select the “Sign Up” button.
- Complete the content in the order listed:
- MEI Admissions Exam Prep Course
- Master's in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MEI) Entrance Exam (score of 80% required)
- MEI601: Financial Management
- Master's in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MEI) Enrollment Agreement
Contact Us
Email questions to degrees@saylor.org