JR Shaw School of Business

Business Administration - Entrepreneurship and Innovation

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Do you want to create change within your organization? Have you dreamt of becoming your own boss?

The Business Administration – Entrepreneurship and Innovation diploma program fosters an entrepreneurial mindset and will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to become an innovator.

Our courses have been designed to help you pursue a career path that is right for you. You will be equipped for your chosen venture, whether a for-profit business, social enterprise, or as an entrepreneur within an innovative organization.

Quick Facts

Credential: Diploma

Diplomas and Certificates are credit programs that take 1 or 2 years and lead to government approved and industry-recognized credentials.

Campus: Main

Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at NAIT's Main Campus in Edmonton. View map

Delivery Options:

  • On-Campus Day - Your course activity is done in-person Monday - Friday in the daytime.
  • On-Campus Evening and/or Weekend - Your course activity is done in-person on weekdays in the evening, or Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Online Day - Your course activity is done online Monday - Friday in the daytime.
  • Online Evening and/or Weekend - Your course activity is done online on weekdays in the evening, or Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Online Flexible Delivery - Your course activity is not scheduled and therefore you can determine when to do the coursework.

Length: 2 Years

With a typical full-time course load, this program will take 2 Years to complete.

Open Studies: Available

This program has courses that are available for Open Studies. Open Studies allows you to explore credit courses without applying to a program. It is an opportunity to get a feel for school and what program you want to be in. View courses

International Students: Accepted

This program accepts international students, however, program availability may be limited. Check program availability for this term. This program also meets the eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program. Each student is responsible for maintaining their eligibility throughout their studies.

Grad Employment Rate

Employment rates reported by NAIT alumni are for information purposes and do not guarantee future employment opportunities.

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Median Starting Salary

Salaries reported by NAIT alumni are for information purposes and are not a guarantee of future alumni income.

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Hands-on, industry-relevant skills

In your first year of the program, you will take 10 common courses with other business students, in order to gain foundational core business knowledge. In the second year of studies, you’ll take the required courses in Entrepreneurship and Innovation to get a specialized diploma upon graduation. 

By the end of the program, you’ll have developed an understanding of modern business dynamics and organizational culture, and will graduate with the skills and knowledge required to become an innovator—whether as a founder of your own business or as a valued contributor.

You will discover and develop proficiency in:

  • Maximizing personal strengths, skills and experience
  • Forming and working in entrepreneurial teams
  • Recognizing and creating business opportunities
  • Using innovation methods and tools
  • Business modeling and business planning
  • Start-up and small business management

Hands-on learning

We immerse students in a combination of classroom teaching, industry-relevant case work, simulations and networking. You will develop an understanding of modern business dynamics and learn to work well within culturally diverse organizations.

Classroom & study hours

On average, you can expect to spend:

  • 20 hours per week attending classes over the course of each semester
  • An additional 20-30 hours per week studying, completing assignments, doing research, reading, etc.

Opportunities for further education

The Entrepreneurship and Innovation emphasis may grant you advance credits toward designations including: 

  • Project Management Professional (PMP) 
  • Certified in Management (CIM)

You can also continue your studies and apply for admission to the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program in the JR Shaw School of Business. The BBA builds on the Entrepreneurship and Innovation diploma, allowing you to earn a degree with just 60 more credits of study and giving you the opportunity to choose courses that enhance your entrepreneurial path.

Learn more about our BBA program

Bachelor of Business Administration – Entrepreneurship & Innovation Concentration

The BBA Entrepreneurship and Innovation concentration is for anyone who wants to start a business, lead the growth of an existing company or take an organization in a new direction.   Find out more

Nevin deMilliano

“The courses I took allowed me to approach important problems differently. In work, life, or my own venture I can apply entrepreneurial skills with creativity to solve important problems.”

Nevin deMilliano, Business Administration – Entrepreneurship and Innovation '15

JR Shaw School of Business

The JR Shaw School of Business harnesses the power of a polytechnic providing relevant, multi-disciplinary business education integrated with industry partnerships and applied learning.

Enter the workforce with confidence

Take your ideas and business vision to the next level. The Entrepreneurship and Innovation emphasis is designed for students who want to take the lead, drive innovation and be their own boss. 

Upon graduation, you’ll be able to apply your skills in a variety of leadership positions, including: 

  • Research and Development  
  • Business Owner  
  • Sales Director  
  • Manager  
  • Business Consultant 
Entrepreneurship
JRSSB Infographic Pathways

Diploma Specialization

In the business diploma program, you will declare an area of specialization in your first year, shortly after you have been accepted into the program.

All business students then take the same 10 foundational courses in order to gain core business knowledge. This allows students to experience a variety of business fields. In the second year of studies, you will take the required courses to get a specialized Entrepreneurship and Innovation diploma upon graduation.

How to apply

Students applying to any business administration diploma program will choose Business Administration - General when selecting the program on the Alberta Post-Secondary Application System (APAS). More information can be found under How to Apply below.

Advanced Credit

You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).

Transfer Credit

In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section and on the Transfer Credit Request Form (PDF), your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:

  • You must have completed the course or program no more than 10 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
  • You must have a minimum mark of D in the course(s) or program

Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition (PLAR)

Please see below for the list of courses that available for PLAR credits in this program. Please click on the specific course for more information on the evidence that is required for each course.

Please refer to the Credit for Work and Life Experience page for more information on how to apply for PLAR credits.

Read more about advanced credit or contact us about applying for credit for this program.

Courses

Expand each course below to see details about credits, requisites, scheduling, and more.

Tuition & Fees

Scholarships & Awards

How to Apply

Want to learn more about this program?

Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions.

Please contact the Student Service Centre for general inquiries such as:

  • Student application support
  • Program entrance requirements, tuition & fees, and how to apply
  • Program admissions process
  • Enrolment support
  • Student funding options
  • Fee and refund inquiries
  • General program and course withdrawal procedures
  • Navigating nait.ca and MyNAITPortal

Contact Student Service Centre

Please fill out the form below if you have any program-specific questions relating to:

  • Program details
  • Work-integrated learning and cooperative education
  • Advance credit and Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
  • Program and course withdrawal



The personal information on this form is being collected under the authority of the Post-secondary Learning Act and section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP). The information will be protected by the provisions of FOIP, and will be used for the purpose of registration and administration of the event. If you have any questions or concerns about the collection, use, security or disclosure of the personal information, please contact General Council at 780.471.7664 or legal@nait.ca.

Apply to NAIT

Learn how to register through Alberta Post-Secondary Application System (APAS) or begin the application process.

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