Using the model of innovation, students systematically work through a matrix of four questions: What is valuable to users? What is possible through engineering? What is desirable to business? What is good for society and the environment? The goal of the program is to help students learn how to create product and service systems that benefit society while minimizing impacts on the environment, can be realized through appropriate technology and engineering, create measurable value for business, and satisfy people's needs.

First-year students must have a 3.00 grade point average (GPA) (a "B" or better where "A"=4.00) from a secondary school. Transfer students must have a minimum 2.50 GPA (a "C+" or better where "A"=4.00) from a college or university. Some ASU programs require a minimum transfer GPA of 3.00, including the W. P. Carey School of Business and Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Some ASU programs may have higher admission requirements and may require a minimum ACT or SAT score. Must have three years of high school work (If you are currently in high school, ASU needs to see 9–11 grade work. If you have completed high school then ASU needs to see 10–12 grade work). Must have and present a completed high school diploma or certificate. International students who attended four years of high school in the U.S. are required to meet the competency requirements. English: four years (composition/literature based). Math: four years (algebra I, geometry, algebra II and one course requiring algebra II as a prerequisite). Laboratory science: three years total (one year each from any of the following areas are accepted: biology, chemistry, earth science, integrated sciences, and physics) . Social science: two years (including one year American history). Foreign language: two years (same language). Fine arts: one year. International students who completed high school outside the U.S. are required to meet the following competency requirements: Math: four years (algebra I, geometry, algebra II and one course requiring algebra II as a prerequisite). Laboratory science: three years total (one year each from any of the following areas are accepted: biology, chemistry, earth science, integrated sciences and physics). Pass the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE TOEFL Score of at least 61 (iBT) IELTS Overall band score of the academic test of at least 6.0. Pearson Test of English (PTE) Score of at least 53.