Professional Certificate Program in Innovation & Technology

Awarded upon successful completion of 16 or more days of qualifying Short Programs courses from MIT Professional Education, this certificate equips you with the best practices and skills needed to make a powerful impact on your organizational innovation. From the beginning stages of the innovation process through to bringing new technologies and products to market, these courses will prepare you to think differently, back up your ideas with scientific knowledge, and leverage emerging trends and technologies to succeed in today’s competitive landscape.

Why Study Innovation and Technology at MIT?

The power of innovation at MIT is undeniable. In fact, 23 companies have formed using MIT intellectual property, and researchers affiliated with the institute have filed nearly 600 U.S. patents.1

Engineering and technology professionals and leaders are tasked with dreaming up innovative solutions to address emerging challenges or to surpass the competition. Continuous improvement is expected, whether that be through boosting operational efficiency, enacting technological change, or in inventing the next disruptive technology. With the recent explosion of accessible machine learning and artificial intelligence tools, innovation in business takes on a whole new meaning. Is artificial intelligence innovation a friend? Or foe? Will leaning on AI to assist in generating innovation ideas for company growth make you stand out or blend in?

In the spirit of MIT's motto, "Mens et Manus" or mind and hand, MIT Professional Education Short Programs combine theoretical and research-based knowledge with practical hands-on experience. This type of instruction means that participants will learn not only how to innovate, but also how to bring their ideas into fruition that generate value.

Additionally, every course leaves ample time for networking breaks. Connecting with your peers is especially valuable for innovators, as you can learn more from each other’s work challenges and build lasting business relationships.

Location

MIT is located in the intellectual, exciting, and vibrant city of Cambridge, Massachusetts, nestled next to the state capital of Boston and right on the Charles River. Take time to visit historic Boston while here—catch a Red Sox game, go whale watching, visit world-class museums, take a boat ride on the Charles River, visit Quincy Market, or explore other local area colleges. Tripadvisor's Best of Boston Tourism list may be a good resource.

MIT & Industry

The Professional Certificate Program in Innovation & Technology is designed for:

• Product designers and product managers who are charged with bringing innovative solutions to their organizations and to market
• Entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs who want to learn from MIT faculty and industry experts and to network with preeminent thinkers
• Professionals who hold a bachelor's degree (at a minimum), possess at least three years of professional experience, and wish to build a culture of innovation within their organization
   

Certificate Requirements

This Professional Certificate Program consists of a core of innovation-focused courses and several elective courses that have a strong innovation component. Earning the Professional Certificate requires the completion of at least 16 days of qualifying courses, which may include up to one elective. For purposes of certificate completion, for courses with half-days, the total is rounded up (e.g. a course that is five half-days in length is considered as 3 full days). You can customize your learning experience by selecting the courses that are most relevant to you and your organization. The program must be completed within 36 months of completing the first qualifying course.

• Successful completion of 16 or more days of qualifying Short Programs courses, including up to one elective
• Courses primarily take place in June, July, and August on MIT's campus (or in a live virtual format)
• Courses must be completed within 36 months of your first qualifying course
• Non-refundable application fee: $325 

Note: Courses that have been completed prior to applying for the certificate program may count toward your program requirements (keeping in mind that the full program must be completed within the 36-month window). Please shortprograms@mit.edu if you have with any questions.

How to Apply

To apply, submit an application for the program using the link below, along with a non-refundable $325 application fee.

Core Courses

All programs are eligible for Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

• Design-Thinking and Innovation for Technical Leaders ⁠—  (3 days)
  Acquire a design-thinking process for developing groundbreaking solutions and communicating your vision to senior management, colleagues, and consumers. (Previously titled "Mastering Innovation & Design-Thinking")
• Breakthrough Innovation: Creating Value in Times of Uncertainty — (3 days)
  Discover how to develop breakthrough innovations, gain valuable insights into consumers’ needs, and influence key stakeholders. (Previously titled Digital Transformation, Value Creation, and Breakthrough Innovation)
• Solving Complex Problems: Structured Thinking, Design Principles, and AI—  (5 days)
  Explore the strategies and frameworks you need to implement large-scale systems that can have significant positive impact—and minimize the probability of failure.
• Product Innovation in the Age of AI—  (3 days)
  Learn how to identify, adopt, and capitalize on game-changing innovations created by product users. This skill is a secret weapon that will help you bring superior products to market—and maintain competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving design and manufacturing sector.

Note: MIT Professional Education's Short Programs is committed to providing a diverse and updated portfolio of Short Programs courses and reserves the right to change these course selections in future years.

Electives

One of the the courses needed to complete the certificate program can be an elective. All courses are eligible for Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

• Effective Communication through Surveys and Market Research — (3 days)
  In this dynamic program, featuring lectures and interactive workshops, you’ll master the skills you need to spot flawed market research and create truly effective surveys—surveys that deliver actionable insights into how your clients, potential customers, and workforce really think and act. 
• Engineering Leadership for Emerging Leaders— (5 day)
  Improve your leadership skills by learning from the latest breakthroughs in the practice of leadership.
• Predictive Multiscale Materials Design— (5 days)
  Explore practical problem-solving computational tools and experimental techniques to probe the structure of materials and their applications in new technologies.
• Persuasive Communication Bootcamp—  (4 days)
  Improve your communication skills through a mixture of discussion and hand-on workshops.

Note: MIT Professional Education's Short Programs is committed to providing a diverse and updated portfolio of Short Programs courses and reserves the right to change these course selections in future years.

Links & Resources

News Articles:

• MIT launches new venture for world-changing entrepreneurs — MIT News, October 26, 2016
• MIT is now helping companies educate their workers instead of hiring consultants — Boston.com
• Massachusetts named most innovative state in America — Boston.com
• Vassar and Main: the world's most innovative intersection — Wired Magazine

Local Resources:

• Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC)
• The Engine
• Kendall Square Association