10 online digital transformation certifications and courses
Whether you're an aspiring IT pro or an experienced business leader, these digital transformation certificates offer an opportunity to gain valuable skills.
Many companies have invested in digital transformation initiatives designed to make sure their companies succeed in today's market.
However, implementing transformational change within an entire organization is no easy feat. Challenges abound between finding the right technologies to improve business models and learning to sustain a digital culture that encourages employees to innovate.
Digital transformation courses and certification programs can help company leaders develop a strategy for success. We've compiled a list of 10 online courses and programs that cover different areas of organizational digital transformation. We also point you to online learning platforms Coursera and edX, which provide access to many digital transformation courses.
All the courses listed below -- in no particular order -- are online and charge a fee. They typically award a certificate upon successful completion of the program, with some offering professional development hours and providing an on-ramp to an advanced degree program.
The unranked list is based on web research.
1. Berkeley's Digital Transformation: Leading People, Data & Technology
Course details
University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) offers an Executive Education program to help company leaders identify areas where technology can make a difference in digital organizations. The program includes eight modules focusing on distinct aspects of digital transformation, including opportunities, the process, types of digital organizational models, and the role of data and technology policy.
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For the course, participants use a mix of video lectures, peer discussion boards, case studies, assignments, quizzes, and live webinars with UC Berkeley Executive Education's faculty and other digital transformation experts. To receive the verified digital certificate of completion, participants must complete 80% of their required activities, which includes a capstone project. The successful completion of the program counts toward the UC Berkeley Certificate of Business Excellence (COBE).
Who should take this course
The program is designed for mid-level to senior-level managers and business leaders, including leaders of functional departments and organizational units, regional heads and general managers.
Price
$2,850 program fee, with flexible payment options available.
Duration
Two months, with weekly modules requiring four to six hours of effort per week.
2. Stanford's Digital Transformation Program
Course details
The Stanford School of Engineering Digital Transformation Program offers an extensive framework for implementing digital transformation. The eight-course program aims to give participants the required skills to support a tech-enabled digital transformation, including how to connect business functions and technology.
Participants gain core competencies in topics such as change management, AI, data analytics and more. The Stanford Certificate in Digital Transformation is earned upon completing all eight courses.
Who should take this course
The program is aimed at company leaders and employees who want to create and sustain a digital culture.
Price
$765 per course, with 60 days to complete, or $5,900 for the All-Access Plan, which gives participants a full year to complete the course. Price packages for groups and teams are available.
Duration
The self-paced courses range from seven to 12 hours each. The entire program requires 50 to 70 hours of coursework. Individuals can sign up for a course at any time.
3. Cornell's AI for Digital Transformation Certificate Program
Course details
The AI for Digital Transformation Cornell Certificate Program teaches participants how to use AI and digital technology to support their companies. The course features six classes covering topics such as AI and the future of work, creating a digital builder culture and data-driven leadership. Participants receive access to an optional live AI symposium that the school sponsors.
The program includes live discussions with industry peers, practical projects and customized feedback. Upon completion, participants receive an AI for Digital Transformation Certificate from Cornell Tech and 84 professional development hours or 8.4 CEUs.
Who should take this course
The course is for C-level tech executives, business consultants, policymakers and others interested in digital transformation.
Price
$3,750 program fee.
Duration
Three months, with five to seven hours of weekly study.
4. Yale's Digital Transformation Strategy Program
Course details
Part of Yale University School of Management's Executive Education offerings, participants in the Digital Transformation Strategy program learn how digital technologies can change company operations. Participants learn about different opportunities to create consistent value for their organization. Industry experts teach participants how to set up a transformation strategy and evaluate its effectiveness.
This six-week course helps participants support their organization's digital transformation strategy. The program consists of six modules: Understanding Digital Disruption, Value Creation and Value Capture in Digital Transformation, Customer-centric Operating Models, Reinventing Value Chains for Growth, Change Management and Workforce Transformation and Leading Digital Transformation.
Who should take this course
Senior managers and leaders, directors and consultants, mid-level managers, software and data-focused professionals, and other professionals looking to understand and prepare for digital transformation.
Price
$2,400 program fee, with financial aid available to people employed in the nonprofit and government sectors; Yale University alums; small groups of three to six; and former Yale Executive Education program participants.
Duration
Six weeks (excluding orientation), requiring a commitment of eight to 10 hours per week.
5. MIT's Digital Transformation: From AI and IoT to Cloud, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity
Course details
Digital Transformation: From AI and IoT to Cloud, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity is a course offered by MIT Professional Education in collaboration with the ed-tech company Global Alumni. It analyzes the history and implementation of those technologies and aims to help participants manage digital transformation in a professional setting.
Participants learn about topics such as blockchain, cloud architecture, GitHub, IoT in business and cybersecurity. Upon completing the program, participants receive seven MIT CEUs.
Who should take this course
Technical professionals, managers, directors and other professionals who want to participate in their companies' digital transformation processes. Although there is no prerequisite for the course, participants should have a general understanding of the digital technologies discussed.
Price
$3,200 program fee.
Duration
Eight weeks.
6. LinkedIn Learning's Digital Transformation
Course details
LinkedIn Learning's Digital Transformation course aims to help business leaders better understand digital transformation and why it can make or break an organization. The course, which runs about an hour, focuses on the different stages of digital maturity, examines digital-born companies to understand what they did to become successful, and explains how to create a practical digital transformation roadmap and strategy.
It is led by Peter High, president of technology strategy firm Metis Strategy, author and moderator of the Technovation podcast. Content learners receive a LinkedIn Learning Certificate of Completion.
Who should take this course
The course is intended for business leaders who are active on LinkedIn and who are interested in learning more about digital transformation trends and their implications for companies.
Price
LinkedIn Learning is free with a one-month trial. Following the free trial, it is available for individuals, teams (up to 20 accounts) and organizations with a LinkedIn Premium subscription. LinkedIn Premium subscriptions grant full access to LinkedIn's learning platform for the selected billing period.
Duration
The course is about an hour long and stays available as a reference if the user's LinkedIn account is active.
7. Northwestern's C-Suite Program in Digital Transformation and AI
Course details
Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management Executive Education offers a C-Suite Program in Digital Transformation and AI. This program helps company leaders learn how to manage digital transformation, use AI and find ways to promote company growth and customer engagement.
The course begins with a 16-week core program featuring in-depth modules on topics including digital transformation, leadership and change management, culminating in a capstone video project. Participation in the program also includes benefits such as online AI leadership sessions, the choice of two electives and a three-day, in-person networking event at the end of the program.
Who should take this course
Senior leaders who want to drive digital transformation and AI adoption at their companies, functional and business strategy executives, and entrepreneurs. Participants must have at least eight years of relevant work experience and written and spoken English fluency. They must be heading up digital transformation efforts in the next stage of their careers.
Price
$28,000, with payment plans available.
Duration
12 months, online, onsite or live virtually, with an educator leading the class in real time.
8. Columbia's Digital Strategies for Business Transformation
Course details
This Columbia Business School Executive Education course focuses on best practices for implementing new strategies and business models at an organization. It uses case studies centered on digital-first companies and traditional organizations that changed their ways of doing business for the digital era.
The program has eight modules. It begins with an introduction to the five domains of digital transformation -- customers, competition, data, innovation and value -- followed by in-depth sessions on the individual domains. Two other modules cover platform business models and disruptive business models.
Who should take this course
Senior management and C-suite professionals, mid-level to senior-level tech managers, and marketing and sales managers looking to use digital techniques.
Price
$1,500, with payment plans available.
Duration
Eight weeks, requiring four to six hours of weekly effort.
9. University of Pennsylvania's Digital Transformation for Senior Executives Program
Course details
The University of Pennsylvania's Wharton Executive Education's Digital Transformation for Senior Executives Program aims to help participants understand new technologies and bring that knowledge back to their companies. The program's curriculum explores how to recognize digital technology trends, sustain digital transformation, assess the role of leadership in change management and more.
The customizable program, taught by Wharton School faculty and industry experts, consists of 18 weeks of three core modules: Digital Strategy, Digital Techniques, Capabilities and Methods, and Digital Innovation. Three online electives, each six weeks long, and a two-day on-campus recognition ceremony and networking event are also included.
Who should take this course
Business leaders in charge of digital infrastructure or ensuring the growth of various verticals. Participants must have at least 12 to 15 years of work experience and fluency in written and spoken English; international exposure is preferred.
Price
$20,000.
Duration
Nine to 12 months online and on campus.
10. More DX programs on Coursera and edX
Online learning providers Coursera and edX offer extensive listings of courses related to digital transformation for beginners, intermediate and advanced participants.
Coursera provides access to digital transformation courses offered by numerous academic institutions and vendors, including Google, the London Business School and the University of Virginia Darden School Foundation. For example, one of Darden's digital transformation course offerings is part of the IBM & Darden Digital Strategy Specialization.
EdX, like Coursera, provides access to many courses related to digital transformation. For example, the self-paced courses at the Tech & Digital Transformation Academy can help practicing and aspiring IT leaders gain the necessary skills to navigate their organizations' digital transformation strategy. The Academy offers courses in digital literacy, cloud computing, cybersecurity or coding and computer science.
Editor's note: Gabriella Frick originally wrote this article, while Mary K. Pratt and Linda Tucci updated and expanded it.
Mary K. Pratt is an award-winning freelance journalist with a focus on covering enterprise IT and cybersecurity management.
