MBET degree requirements and course structure

In the MBET program, the courses you take are integrated to correspond to the entrepreneurial process. Each course draws from the theory of a specific discipline while emphasizing the application of business concepts to issues facing innovative and rapidly changing organizations. Entrepreneurial experiences are embedded in the MBET curriculum through several practical components which provide context and hands-on application for classroom learning.

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Program overview

The MBET degree is a course-based graduate program where students will complete 12 courses total:

  • 8 required courses
  • 4 elective courses

Important notes:

  • Specializations are selected during the program, not at the time of admission.
  • Course availability may vary by term.
  • Part-time students should plan carefully due to scheduling constraints.

Course types

Course offerings are divided into MBET-exclusive (BET) courses and shared Business and Entrepreneurship (BE) courses. This gives MBET students access to both specialized program content and a broader graduate-level curriculum.

Two MBET students in the classroom

MBET Courses (BET)

  • Exclusive to students enrolled in the MBET program.
  • Not available to students outside the program.

Business and Entrepreneurship Courses (BE)

  • Open to students enrolled in the MBET program.
  • Other graduate students at the University of Waterloo.
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Required courses:

All students enrolled in the MBET program must complete the following required courses:

Core Courses

  • BE 602 Data Analysis and Management 
  • BET 600 Applied Business Leadership Skills for Entrepreneurs
  • BET 601 Strategically Managing the Entrepreneurial Organization
  • BET 602 Marketing Strategies for New Technology-based Ventures 
  • BET 605 Foundations of Accounting and Finance
  • BET 640 Emerging Technologies

Choose 

  • BE 650 Digital Transformations
    or
  • BET 607 Managing Technological Innovation

Choose  

  • BET 603 Entrepreneurial Finance for the Technology-based Enterprise
    or
  • BET 613 Corporate Finance for the Technology-based Organization
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Elective courses

MBET students complete 4 elective courses.

Note:

  • Electives can be selected from both the BET and BE course offerings.
  • If pursuing a specialization, some electives will be predetermined by that specialization.
  • Remaining electives can be chosen based on interests and availability.

See the required MBET specialization courses below.

Graduate students sitting around table in casual meeting

BET Courses

  • BET 603 Entrepreneurial Finance
  • BET 604 New Technology-based Venture Creation
  • BET 604A/604B Venture Creation
  • BET 607 Managing Technological Innovation
  • BET 608 Business Model Validation
  • BET 613 Corporate Finance
  • BET 615/615A/615B Corporate Innovation and Consulting
  • BET 617 Product Management

BE Courses

  • BE 603 Operations and Supply Chain Management
  • BE 605 Project Management
  • BE 630 Sales
  • BE 645 AI Business Applications
  • BE 650 Digital Transformations
  • BE 660 Negotiations
  • BE 680 Consulting

Additional option

  • Up to one approved 500- or 600-level engineering course (with permission)
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Optional Graduate Specializations

Students may complete one specialization, which will appear on their transcript upon successful completion of the MBET program.

Each specialization includes completing:

  • Required courses (count toward electives)
  • Additional course requirements depending on full-time or part-time status
icon of lightbulb, innovation
icon of rocket
icon brain, AI

Product Management and Innovation 

New Venture Creation and Commercialization 

Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformations 

Required:

  • BE 605 Project Management
  • BET 617 Product Management
  • BE 630 Sales
  • BET 613 Corporate Finance

Required:

  • BE 630 Sales
  • BET 603 Entrepreneurial Finance
  • BET 608 Business Model Validation

Required:

  • BE 605 Project Management
  • BE 645 AI Business Applications
  • BE 650 Digital Transformations
  • BET 613 Corporate Finance

Plus:

  • BET 615 Corporate Innovation and Consulting: part-time students
  • BET 615A + BET 615B: full-time students

Plus:

  • BET 604 Venture Creation: part-time students
  • BET 604A + BET 604B: full-time students

Plus:

  • BET 615 Corporate Innovation and Consulting: part-time students
  • BET 615A + BET 615B: full-time students

Strongly recommended as an additional course: BE 660 Negotiations

Strongly recommend as an additional course: BE 680 Consulting