Design Thinking

Graduate Certificate

Course Delivery

80% to 99% Online
Total Credits

18
In-State Tuition Per Credit

$400.00
Out of State Tuition Per Credit

$400.00

Design Thinking

Graduate Certificate

Now more than ever, T-shaped professionals are in high demand for their ability to collaborate across disciplines, build relationships, and advance innovation. These contemporary workers are characterized by the possession of deep skills in a specialty, as well as the knack for solving problems in other areas of expertise, allowing them to move beyond boundaries. The emerging field of design thinking responds to this paradigm shift as a human-centered approach to connecting the dots.

The IU Online Graduate Certificate in Design Thinking is designed for working professionals and non-design discipline graduate students who want to expand their skill sets and learn the fundamentals and interplay of innovation. The curriculum introduces a mindset, as well as core skills in creative problem solving, that can be applied to any discipline or field. Knowing how to investigate innovative solutions will enable you to actively apply, connect, and produce knowledge that meets complex human needs. You not only acquire advanced training that can be applied across multiple disciplines, but you also have opportunities to engage in collaborations across cultures and industries.

As a student in the program, you learn to engage with complex problems, ambiguity, and uncertainty in a creative problem-solving process through interdisciplinary teamwork. You develop keen sensitivity and empathy toward people and contexts in which problems are situated. You recognize and apply appropriate methods to frame problems, generate ideas, and evaluate solutions. After completing the program, you will be prepared to join a new 21st century workforce and drive innovation in your field.

Your IU Online Graduate Certificate in Design Thinking prepares you to apply the design thinking methodology to almost any industry or sector in such careers as:

Design thinking specialist
Innovation consultant
Human-centered design strategist
Product developer
Product manager
Innovation manager
Brand manager
Design research manager
User experience designer
Customer experience specialist
Patient engagement specialist

Certificate Requirements

To earn the Graduate Certificate in Design Thinking, you must complete 18 credit hours.

Requirements are broken down as follows:

Design thinking core courses (12 credit hours)
Design thinking practicum (6 credit hours)

Admissions

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

A bachelor's degree

NOTE: This program is authorized, exempt, or not subject to state regulatory compliance and may enroll students from all 50 states.

To apply to this program, complete an online application that includes:

Transcripts
Resume
Personal statement of why you want to pursue this certificate, in 500-750 words
Three examples of your evidence of experience (may include a case study, portfolio, deliverable, or other suitable format)
TOEFL scores or IELTS scores (some international students only)

Courses

Core

HER-V 512	Intro: Design Thinking for Tackling Wicked Problems/Sensemaking	3 Credits
HER-V 513	Design Methods for Framing Problems	3 Credits
HER-V 522	Design Methods for Ideating	3 Credits
HER-V 523	Design Methods for Prototyping	3 Credits
HER-V 532	Practicum	6 Credits

Find course descriptions with our Search Schedule of Classes/Courses tool.

Tuition & Fees

Cost for Indiana Residents

Per Credit Hour
Tuition: $400.00

3 Credit Hours
Tuition: $1200.00

Note:

Additional fees will apply.

-This program is ineligible for financial aid.

Cost for Out of State Residents

Per Credit Hour
Tuition: $400.00

3 Credit Hours
Tuition: $1200.00

In accordance with Federal Financial Aid requirements, IU has calculated a “Cost of Attendance” for this program based on the most common enrollments from students who are enrolled full time for the academic year. We’re showing you the estimated cost of attendance for the full 2023–24 academic year (fall and spring semesters). Cut these numbers in half to figure out the cost of a single semester. Your actual costs for housing and food, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses will vary based on:

• The number of credit hours you take
• Whether you’re an Indiana resident
• Your personal choices
• Your travel habits

Your cost of attendance may differ from these estimates.

Full time Students

Part time Students

Direct Costs:

Tuition & Mandatory Fees

Indiana Residents

See per credit hour rate listed above

Non-residents

See per credit hour rate listed above

Direct Costs:

Tuition & Mandatory Fees

Indiana Residents

See per credit hour rate listed above

Non-residents

See per credit hour rate listed above

Indirect Costs:

Food & Housing $15,570

Books & Supplies $770

Transportation $2350

Personal Expenses $2200

Indirect Costs:

Food & Housing $15,570

Books & Supplies $280

Transportation $2350

Personal Expenses $2200

If you would like a more detailed estimate of expenses, please use IU's Tuition and Fee Calculator.

IU Tuition & Fee Calculator

What's it like to be an IU Online Student?

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When you enroll in an IU Online program, you take IU classes, taught by the same faculty who teach on our campuses.

It's the flexible, affordable way to get the IU education you deserve without putting your life—or career—on hold.
Get the support you need to succeed

As a student in an IU Online program, you'll have the opportunity to engage with and seek help from your professors and peers, just as you would in a campus-based program.

You'll also have access to a variety of academic and other support services that you can call on when you need additional assistance. You're an important part of the IU community and we're dedicated to ensuring you have the resources you need to thrive in your online program.
Reap the rewards for decades to come

No matter what field you're in, an IU degree or certificate can improve your chances of earning a promotion or pay raise.

You'll also earn skills that will help you to achieve success for the foreseeable future, whether you're seeking to complete an advanced degree in your current field or switch career paths altogether.
Take the first step toward a more rewarding future

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Design Thinking

Graduate Certificate

Admissions

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

To apply to this program, complete an online application that includes:

Courses

Core

Tuition & Fees

Cost for Indiana Residents

Per Credit Hour

3 Credit Hours

Cost for Out of State Residents

Per Credit Hour

3 Credit Hours

What's it like to be an IU Online Student?

Earn an IU education from wherever you are

Get the support you need to succeed

Reap the rewards for decades to come

Take the first step toward a more rewarding future

Apply now link and Social media