How to Apply - Social Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship Graduate Certificate

Two people talking at Nossa Familia Coffee

Social Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship Graduate Certificate

Spring and Fall 2026 applications are now open.  Apply Now

Application Requirements for Graduate Students

  • Basic information, including residency for tuition purposes
  • Demonstration of sufficient preparation for the program coursework. This can include a graduate or undergraduate degree in business, marketing or a related field, or a combination of work experience and education. Admissions requirements will vary depending on what type of student is applying.
  • Unofficial transcripts/mark sheets from any institution where a bachelor's degree was awarded and any institution where graduate-level credits were completed. Upon admission, applicants will be required to provide official transcripts from these institutions. Visit the PSU Admissions website for detailed transcript requirements.
  • Professional resume
  • Short essay responses to program-specific questions (see below)
  • $67 application fee

Essay Questions

  1. What's an example of a problem affecting society or the environment that you personally care deeply about and why? (100 word maximum)
  2. Please describe an idea you may have for a new venture or program that would help to address this problem. (100 word maximum)
  3. Please explain what prior exposure you have had, either academic or professional, to concepts of social entrepreneurship and public interest design, human-centered design, or design thinking. (100 word maximum)

Current PSU master's business students will benefit from a streamlined application. If you have questions while applying, please reach out to sbgradadmissions@pdx.edu.

Application Requirements for Other Students 

Application Deadlines

New students start classes in the fall, winter or spring quarter.

  • Fall Term - August 1
  • Winter Term - December 1
  • Spring Term - March 1

Learn More about the Social Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship Certificate

AI Usage Policy for Graduate Business Admissions

The admissions team is interested in your authentic voice which reflects your academic, professional, and personal experiences and goals. We engage in a holistic review process when evaluating application materials because we want to understand what has inspired you to commit to the graduate program you're applying to. We also want to learn how your experiences will complement the experiences of other members in the cohort you may join.

Given this context, we encourage applicants to submit work that reflects their own voice and perspective. While there may be appropriate uses for AI, such as outlining ideas or checking grammar, essays must be written in your own words. AI-generated content should not replace your personal writing or storytelling. Submissions that rely heavily on AI-generated content or lack meaningful personal detail may affect  the admissions decision.

This policy aligns with the university’s academic integrity standards.

If you have questions about using AI in your application materials, please contact our Recruitment Advising or Admissions Team.