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Gain Knowledge & Expertise

Graduate Certificate in Innovation, Technology and Analytics Curriculum

Understanding and applying essential emerging technologies is increasingly important to remain competitive in modern markets. Are you prepared to confidently use data, implement digital technologies and drive innovation in business? In this 12-credit certificate, you will:

  • Develop human-centered strategies that use technology to improve business strategy and process
  • Find, evaluate, and use resources to explore emerging technology
  • Identify potential business opportunities and take entrepreneurial action
  • Prepare businesses and people for rapid industry transformation
The curriculum for this certificate was developed in partnership with industry experts, to ensure that what you learn at St. Thomas is up-to-date and highly applicable in the real world. You’ll take a combination of required and elective courses.

Plan Out Your Program

Follow these sample plans to complete the Graduate Certificate Innovation, Technology and Analytics in 2 or 4 semesters.

Semester I (6 credits)

Entrepreneurial Thinking
Emerging Technology in Business Modern
Business Mindset

Semester II (6 credits)

Data Narratives
Elective

Semester I (6 credits)

Entrepreneurial Thinking
Emerging Technology in Business Modern
Business Mindset

Semester II (6 credits)

Data Narratives
Elective

Semester I (3 credits)

Modern Business Mindset

Semester II (3 credits)

Elective

Semester III (3 credits)

Entrepreneurial Thinking
Emerging Technology in Business

Semester IV (3 credits)

Data Narratives

Semester I (3 credits)

Modern Business Mindset

Semester II (3 credits)

Elective

Semester III (3 credits)

Entrepreneurial Thinking
Emerging Technology in Business

Semester IV (3 credits)

Data Narratives

Certificate Curriculum

12 Credits Total

This is a brief, introductory course designed to help the general manager understand what it takes to identify and evaluate new opportunities, and to transform innovations into profitable businesses. In this course, students will begin developing key skills and knowledge necessary for applying the entrepreneurial process within the corporate context. Prerequisite: None.


3 credits

Learn to lead rapid, ongoing transformation as seen in customer-centric and omnichannel organizations. Topics include:

  • Navigating complex problem spaces to win today and tomorrow
  • Adopting a growth mindset and outcome orientation to fuel agile innovation
  • Developing personalized, end-to-end customer experiences
  • Integrating diverse assets in modern business models
  • Managing transformation while maintaining profits, resiliency, and satisfaction

Students will learn from business leaders and complete practical challenges. Prerequisite: None.


3 credits

This course will focus on developing your ability to understand the business needs for data insights, crafting those into an analytics problem statement, and developing a coherent and persuasive narrative of any data findings. Students will learn to create well-crafted data narratives and dashboards for business leaders while being able to translate insights into managerial decisions. Students will also be able to prepare raw data sets for their data narratives, executive summaries and technical memos. The Data Narratives course focuses on providing these fundamental data narrative and storytelling abilities while leveraging various tools to assist in the process. Prerequisites: NONE.


1.5 credit

Gain foundational knowledge on essential emerging technologies (e.g. artificial intelligence, extended reality, internet of things, robotics, etc.). Develop competencies for leading in a digital world as they complete a horizon assessment and imagine a future application for a chosen technology in a personally relevant context. Responsible and sustainable application will be emphasized throughout. Prerequisite: None.


BUAN 600 - Introduction to Business Analytics (3 credits)

This course teaches students how to perform data analysis using spreadsheet-based methods to effectively and efficiently solve management problems. Students will learn how to effectively build, present and communicate advanced Excel spreadsheet models, forecasting models, optimization models and simulation models to drive managerial decision making. Students will also learn how to build interactive, data driven dashboards using Power BI to discover new insights and monitor key performance indicators. Prerequisites: NONE.

ENTR 707 – Innovation and Corporate Entrepreneurship Credits (3 credits)

Designed for entrepreneurs, managers, and consultants interested in creating and reinforcing entrepreneurial responses within established organizations. Course examines how managers affect the nature and rate of innovation through organizational culture, structure, communication, reward and control systems. Emphasis placed on how individuals initiate, launch and manage ventures within corporate settings. Course integrates theory and practice through the use of readings, discussions, cases, field work and projects. Prerequisite: None.

BUID 660 - Modern Business Applications (3 credits)

Modern Business Applications allows students to gain hands-on experience by consulting for a real-world client on a modern business challenge. Projects will be interdisciplinary in nature, such as creating user experiences that are enabled by humans, data, and technology functioning systematically. Small teams of students will conduct a situation analysis and horizon assessment, critically evaluate opportunities and solutions, and craft a recommendation that they will present to their client. Student teams will have regular meetings with faculty and access to an industry mentor as they complete their project.

Prerequisites: 3.0 credits from the following: BUID 615, BUID 650, BUID 655, ENTR 625, MGMT 625, MKTG 625, MKTG 774, OPMT 625.


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