IBM Enterprise Design Thinking Graduate Certificate

Power up your future with Enterprise Design Thinking skills and digital credentials—for free.

IBM Design

Program Information

  • Course Overview

    Get hands-on experience with Design Thinking practices, revolutionize your problem-solving skills, and boost your professional toolkit with the Spring 2025 cohort of IBM Enterprise Design Thinking!

    This 10-week program follows a hands-on learning approach with 30% lectures and 70% group activities. Through engaging activities such as user research simulations, ideation sessions, and prototyping exercises, you will gain a deep understanding of the design thinking framework and its practical applications, empowering you to solve real-world industry challenges effectively. You won't just learn theory; you'll get to apply your newly acquired knowledge in a real-world setting. Working alongside a community partner organization, you'll apply design thinking solutions to help tackle challenges within their organization.

  • Who may apply?

    Click here to apply. 

    Application Deadline:  January 26, 2025

    Eligibility:  Vanderbilt University students, staff, & faculty

  • When is the course?

    Program Dates:  Wednesdays, Feb. 5, 2025 - Apr. 16, 2025, 4:30pm-6:00pm

  • Contact Us

    For any questions or to learn more please contact Michael Dodson at michael.dodson@vanderbilt.edu.


Key Dates and Timeline

  • Application Deadline: Jan. 26, 2025
  • Program Dates:  Wednesdays, Feb. 5, 2025 - Apr. 16, 2025, 4:30pm-6:00pm

Completion Expectations and Requirements

Throughout the program, you’ll be guided through a process that will help you complete each deliverable by the required deadline. These include:

  • An online 2-hour, pre-requisite course: Enterprise Design Thinking, Practitioner. Participants will be required to complete the pre-requisite prior to the first day of class. Online access will be granted upon acceptance into the program.
  • Completion of all online course modules via the Brightspace learning platform.
  • Attend at least 8 out of 10 weekly, in-person classroom sessions, as well as all community partner meetings. These consist of 4 opportunities throughout the course for participants to meet with and receive feedback from community partners as they tackle their specific design challenges and develop prototypes.
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