About
Weitzman Executive Education, at the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design, offers curated non-credit courses and certificates to support creative professionals committed to creating a more just and sustainable future. Weitzman Executive Education empowers learners to acquire new knowledge and skills, grow larger and more influential networks, and become more powerful change makers within their organizations and communities. The teaching team draws on the highly acclaimed Penn faculty and industry thought leaders. Topics range in scale from the global energy transition to resilient cities to sustainable spaces and places, innovative products, and art that inspires change. The courses and programs are designed to be achievable, affordable, and accessible for working professionals of diverse backgrounds and different levels of responsibility.
Executive Program in Social Innovation Design (XSD)
The Executive Program in Social Innovation Design 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 certificate 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.
Visit the XSD website for more information or email us at xsd@design.upenn.edu.
Visit the XSD website for more information or email us at xsd@design.upenn.edu.
Executive Program in Design Leadership (XDL)
Taught by leading design educators, practitioners, and experts in leadership development, the Weitzman Executive Program in Design Leadership focuses on transformational leadership, inclusion in the workplace, design thinking techniques, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and negotiation skills.
Designed to fit into a busy schedule, the program features self-paced online learning with a community of curious and motivated design professionals. Learners will participate in a live online 1-day Design Leadership Summit in which they form closer connections with colleagues, participate in thought provoking discussions with instructors, and hear from prominent design leaders on the future of design leadership. The program was co-developed by award-winning educator, author, and architect Rob Fleming, President of AIA Philadelphia.
Visit the XDL website for more information or email us at xdl@design.upenn.edu