Innovation Academy
Employers, thinkers, and leaders are evolving rapidly to keep up with the ever-changing international community. The modern job market is seeking interdisciplinary individuals that welcome change, embrace creativity, and venture into the unknown. Our quality of life, economic growth, and access to affordable technology depend on our commitment to innovation.
The University of Florida Innovation Academy (IA) was developed to equip students with the 21st-century skills needed to thrive in an innovative culture. IA is an undergraduate spring/summer program that teaches innovation through an innovation minor embedded in +25 majors across seven colleges, and we offer vast co-curricular experiences including a living-learning community and multiple program-specific student organizations. Given our unique schedule, IA students have the opportunity to enjoy Fall co-curricular activities, pursue internships, study abroad, or enjoy the break at home.
Innovation Minor |
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The exclusive minor curriculum focuses on entrepreneurship, design, creativity, collaboration, leadership, ethics, prototyping, and innovation. Learn strategic risk-taking, experiment with rapid prototyping, collaborate with experts and peers, and earn a competitive edge in your career. |
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Creativity |
Ethics |
Entrepreneurship |
Leadership |
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These courses examine the dynamics of creativity, discovery, and invention across disciplines. Students learn problem identifying and solving skill through design thinking. |
Course provides a grounding in ethical theory and practice, in careful reasoning about moral issues, with a focus on changes and their consequences. |
Courses teach entrepreneurial thought and action that students can utilize in starting companies or executing R&D projects in large companies. |
Students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to move an innovation from creation to implementation.; |
LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITY |
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IA LLC IGNITE is an exclusive program for Innovation Academy students that focuses on personal leadership and scholarship development. The IA LLC aims to create an environment that invites opportunities for formal and informal interactions between residents, staff, and faculty through programs and activities that integrate in-class and out-of-class experiences. *On campus housing is limited and not guaranteed for all incoming students. Early application submission for housing is highly recommended. Please see housing.ufl.edu for more information. |
Programming includes:
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CO-CURRICULAR HIGHLIGHTS |
Campus Life |
Internship Opportunities |
Optional Fall Online Classes |
Employment |
Study Abroad |
IA Benefits |
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IA’s unique spring-summer academic calendar allows for a free fall semester to engage in internships, study abroad, research, or other professional development opportunities during a less competitive time. We also offer the following benefits: |
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IA Ambassador Program |
3D Printing & Laser-Cutting |
Internship |
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Study Abroad |
Co-Curricular Experiences |
Tailored Advising |
IA PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS |
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Innovation Academy students will participate in several unique events that serve to welcome students to the program, expose them to fellow innovators, and showcase their success once their Innovation minor is complete. Click on each event to find out more. |
Info sessions to allow prospective students and their families to learn about the IA program and its exciting benefits. |
This housing program assists incoming UF IA students in making a smooth transition into UF by holding weekly involvement sessions during the first pre-matriculation fall. |
The official new student convocation bringing all of the incoming IA students together for the university welcome. |
The Innovation Academy invites various industry professionals and thought leaders to speak to IA students as guest lecturers. |
A student showcase where first-year students present a prototype they design of a product, service, or model developed in an interdisciplinary team environment |
IA Senior Projects designed to build on skills acquired in the earlier IA minor courses and emphasize situations and challenges that exist in the “real world.” |
Summit celebrates students’ successful completion of the Innovation minor and readies them for graduation from the University of Florida by awarding the IA medallion. |
Innovation Academy features a unique Spring-Summer academic calendar. This means students are free in the Fall to pursue internships in a far less competitive time of the year, seek opportunities for job shadowing and volunteering, participate in a study abroad program, and much more. If students are taking courses during the fall (Fall Connection, online courses, IA Internship Program, etc.) and thus are paying student fees, they are typically able to use any and all on-campus resources. Payment of student fees is typically completed when students enroll for at least 6 credit hours. First Fall students are considered non-degree seeking until their first Spring semester, and not eligible for financial aid. Contact Student Financial Affairs [352-392-1275] with any questions related to fee or tuition payment or status.
LEARN MORE
This is the time between your admission to Innovation Academy and officially starting your first spring semester (the first fall before you officially start in the spring). Students can begin coursework during first fall with UF, through First Fall Connection courses online. These courses are a collection of online courses taught by UF during this first fall semester exclusively for incoming Innovation Academy students. At Preview, students will be able to work with an academic advisor to select and enroll in First Fall Connection courses that are relevant to their academic goals and major. During the first fall semester, IA students are considered non-degree seeking and therefore not eligible for financial aid. Students with Florida Prepaid may use their funds for their first fall. More details and the schedule of First Fall Connection courses will be available at Preview. Preview is a mandatory orientation held in the summer for incoming UF students.
LEARN MORE
LIVE, LEARN, LEAD where INNOVATION thrives. The IA Living Learning Community (LLC) is open to students admitted to the Innovation Academy and allows students in the same academic program to live at Simpson Hall and study together year-round if they choose. However, on campus housing is limited and not guaranteed. On campus housing applications are processed on a first come, first serve basis. The IA LLC aims to create an environment that invites opportunities for formal and informal interactions between residents, staff, and faculty through programs and activities that integrate in-class and out-of-class experiences. The IA LLC IGNITE program assists incoming Innovation Academy students in making a smooth transition into the University during their first fall. Sessions are held weekly during the First Fall Semester and provide dynamic social, learning, and community interactions.
LEARN MORE
62% OF INCOMING IA STUDENTS LIVE IN A LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITY*
