The Executive Program in Social Innovation Design (XSD) is an innovative seven-month online professional development certificate created through a partnership of the Weitzman School of Design with Penn’s Center for Social Impact Strategy (CSIS) at the School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2).
The program combines design thinking strategies with social impact methods as a force for positive change.
It is designed for those seeking purpose and meaning at the intersection of work and values: design professionals who want to utilize their skill set for change but aren't sure where to start, and for professionals working in mission-driven organizations who seek design thinking tools to achieve their goals.
Led by Sarah Rottenberg, executive director of Penn’s Integrated Product Design Program, the XSD program helps social innovators take the first steps to identify a social problem, imagine innovative and sustainable solutions, and develop tools to prototype and implement their ideas.
As part of an active and collaborative online community, learners from around the globe complete non-credit courses in human-centered design, community needs assessment, performance measurements, and mobilization strategies--applying these tools to make a positive impact in their communities.
The program features an immersive event on-campus for focused learning and connection.
Weitzman's Center for Professional Learning is evolving. The Executive Program in Social Innovation Design certificate (XSD), launched in 2019 in partnership with Weitzman and CSIS at SP2, is now administered by Penn’s Center for Social Impact Strategy (CSIS) at the School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2).
