What is IA
Get a major competitive edge: minor in innovation at UF
Spring-Summer Residential (In-Person) Program
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.
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.
Rooted in a commitment to fostering collaborative and forward-thinking individuals, the Innovation Academy program transcends conventional academic boundaries, providing students not only with a prestigious UF degree but also with a rich array of 21st-century skills through a specialized minor in Innovation. IA is an undergraduate spring/summer program that teaches innovation through a 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.
Given the nature of IA’s unique spring-summer calendar, IA students are NOT eligible to participate in NCAA-sponsored athletic teams.
Innovation Minor
Living Learning Community
62% of incoming IA students live in a living learning community*
IA LLC 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.
What can you expect from a living learning community?
Innovation Academy students live in Simpson Hall–a living learning community called Creative Commons. This is where collaboration and community collide! Programming includes:
- Welcome and social events
- Career exploration sessions
- Career trek sessions
- Fab Lab 101 sessions
- Academic advising success sessions
- Recognition ceremonies for students
Co-Curricular Highlights
Campus Life
Students can stay engaged in their clubs and organizations and attend UF social and athletic events.
Internship Opportunities
IA offers a successful Fall Internship Program with local start-up companies in Gainesville where students work in teams and earn 4 credits in the process. IA also offers an independent internship database to support students looking for opportunities nationally.
Ambassadors
Develop valuable internship skills with an emphasis on servant-leadership, public speaking, networking, and marketing.
Employment
IA has caught the attention of many employers and leaders who have sought upper-level students to work for them full-time in the fall when all other students return to campus or can only work part-time.
Study Abroad
The fall semester off is ideal for study abroad, giving students a large window of time to work when studying abroad and increased opportunities.
