MAKING BIG IDEAS HAPPEN
Learn how to think ahead—and act on what you see. This fully online certificate equips you with the tools to explore emerging trends, design innovative solutions, and lead change in your career, community, or industry. Along the way, you’ll earn two industry-recognized certifications that prove your skills.
- 1 CertificateÂ
- 2 Courses, 8 Credits
- Fully online, 7-week sessions
- Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer
Turn Bold Thinking into Real-World Impact
In just two 7-week courses, you’ll gain skills in foresight, innovation strategy, and systems thinking—tools that help you design meaningful solutions and lead change. Whether you want to shape sustainable communities, improve systems, or launch your own initiative, this program gives you the practical foundation to take big ideas from concept to reality.
Program Details
This certificate is built for changemakers. You’ll learn to forecast trends, map future possibilities, and develop innovative solutions that create real impact. Through hands-on, project-based learning, you’ll walk away with a polished portfolio piece—and two professional certifications that stand out to employers and organizations.
Skills You’ll Gain
- Strategic foresight and scenario planning
- Innovation frameworks and rapid prototyping
- Systems thinking and impact mapping
- Communication and change leadership
Required Courses
COID 364 – Big Ideas: Futures Thinking
Gain the skills to drive meaningful change and shape impactful futures. Learn to identify signals of change, conduct environmental and horizon scans, and translate findings into actionable forecasts and scenarios. Analyze key risks and opportunities to develop strategic responses for navigating uncertainty. Apply foresight and planning tools to address evolving challenges, such as adapting to shifts in public health needs or envisioning how neighborhoods can respond to climate change.
COID 365 – Big Ideas: Innovation
Ideas alone are not enough; driving transformative change requires the ability to test, refine, and implement bold new approaches. Develop the skills to tackle complex challenges with creativity, using innovative methodologies and tools. Design impactful solutions that create meaningful change within organizations and communities. Apply practical strategies to test and evolve ideas throughout the innovation process, from addressing sustainability challenges in local communities to redesigning organizational processes for greater inclusivity and effectiveness.
