The MPD program is a joint degree program offered by RIT's College of Business and College of Engineering. The program integrates formal education, ongoing research, and industrial practice, and continuously refreshes the curriculum through active partnerships with other world-class universities, research centers, and companies. Students acquire the foundation skills and strategic perspective necessary to become future leaders and senior managers responsible for driving business growth through innovation, and become effective change agents at their companies. They develop a mindset receptive to change and continuous improvement, an understanding of the enablers to business success, and an enhanced ability to recognize barriers to success early in the commercialization cycle when corrective actions are least costly. Format The MPD program occupies two calendar years, officially beginning each January and continuing for seven consecutive instructional quarters, including summers, until graduation at the end of the second year.
Students take two courses per quarter, one in the morning and a second in the afternoon.
The MPD program begins with a concentrated session in the first year consisting of courses on Organizational Processes and Leadership in Product Development. The January program also includes workshops, tutorials, and lectures designed to augment coursework and prepare students for the rest of the MPD program. The focus of these trips will vary, and students will participate in selecting the venues most appropriate to meeting their objectives. When feasible, trips will be scheduled in conjunction with other university partners. The MPD program will offer a series of graduate level electives from both the College of Engineering and the College of Business during the normally scheduled class times each year.