Business in a Digital World Undergraduate Certificate
The Business in a Digital World (BDW) Certificate is an undergraduate certificate that complements your major by developing your foundational knowledge in technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and virtual reality. This certificate is designed for undergraduate students looking to develop job ready skills for ongoing digital transformation in business.
Why Add a Certificate?
Developed with input from business leaders, this 12-credit certificate will help you stand out as a digital-savvy job candidate. When combining your major with this certificate, you will:
- Take classes that, in many cases, will simultaneously count towards your major or minor degree requirements
- Join the workforce with an advanced level of digital readiness
- Become an expert on a technology that will transform industry or society
Program Overview
Interdisciplinary Approach
The BDW certificate combines courses from College of Arts and Sciences, Opus College of Business, and the School of Engineering.
Required Courses
In the two required courses - Emerging Technology in Business and Digital Transformation Applications - students will gain foundational knowledge in technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and virtual reality, complete a real-word digital transformation project, and develop skills to mitigate unintended consequences of emerging technology.
Elective Courses
Interdisciplinary courses include a range of topics such as Law & Ethics of Data, Writing and Design for the Web, Tech Prototyping, and many more. With a flexible range of electives, students can select courses from their area of study.
Certificate Awarded
Once you have completed your required courses, you’ll receive a “Business in a Digital World” certificate.
Interdisciplinary Approach
Interdisciplinary Approach
The BDW certificate combines courses from College of Arts and Sciences, Opus College of Business, and the School of Engineering.
Required Courses
Required Courses
In the two required courses - Emerging Technology in Business and Digital Transformation Applications - students will gain foundational knowledge in technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and virtual reality, complete a real-word digital transformation project, and develop skills to mitigate unintended consequences of emerging technology.
Elective Courses
Elective Courses
Interdisciplinary courses include a range of topics such as Law & Ethics of Data, Writing and Design for the Web, Tech Prototyping, and many more. With a flexible range of electives, students can select courses from their area of study.
Certificate Awarded
Certificate Awarded
Once you have completed your required courses, you’ll receive a “Business in a Digital World” certificate.
Faculty Highlight
Lee Winbush, Head of Client Computing Technology at MassMutual and Adjunct Professor, BUID 301 - Emerging Technology in Business
Lee Winbush is a curious technologist, experienced leader, and growth-oriented collaborator with over 20 years of experience across various industries. Lee has successfully managed enterprise-scale infrastructure platforms, led complex global projects and programs, and served as a trusted digital advisor to key business stakeholders. Lee also serves the Opus College of Business as an Executive Fellow and Adjunct Faculty - advancing and teaching emerging technologies in business.
Career Paths
- Digital Marketing Strategy
- Social Media Strategy
- Business Development
- Business Operations
- Organizational Development
- Product Manager
Certificate Development Team
AnnMarie Thomas, PhD
With a joint appointment in the School of Engineering and Opus College of Business, AnnMarie works at the intersection of business and technology. She is the founder and director of the St. Thomas Playful Learning Lab and frequent collaborator and consultant with companies, museums and libraries including Disney, Minnesota Children’s Museum, and Google. She is a co-creator of the educational initiative: the OK Go Sandbox with the Grammy award-winning band OK Go. AnnMarie brings innovation and playful learning to everything that she touches.
Jay Ebben, PhD
Jay Ebben is a professor of Entrepreneurship in the Schulz School of Entrepreneurship, and he leads with innovative thinking. Ebben is passionate about mentoring students through the start-up experience and in his course Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ebben focus on experiential learning to introduce the entrepreneurial process and how this process advances the common good. Ebben brings a clear vision of what it takes to be successful in today’s fast paced, increasingly digital business world.
Gino Giovannelli, MBA
As a Marketing clinical faculty, Gino Giovanelli teaches digital marketing courses in the undergraduate and MBA programs in Opus College of Business. Giovannelli combines his passion for teaching with his vast industry experience to create a vibrant classroom learning environment. In his Digital Marketing course students learn how businesses can leverage all digital marketing channels at both a strategic and tactical level to drive customer acquisition and retention. As a prior engineer who has spent most of his career in marketing, he emphasizes the importance of collaboration to drive digital transformation.
Sergey Berg, PhD
Sergey Berg brings an open analytic mindset to his work and understands intersection of data and business and the need for acumen in both areas to be successful in today’s market. In the School of Arts and Sciences, department of Computer and Information Sciences, Sergey introduces students to advanced computational methods in statistics and data analysis in and then provides the practical opportunity for students to apply this knowledge to real world scenarios. Working with a faculty instructor students connect their newly acquired knowledge to real business scenarios with companies like Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Travelers Companies, U.S. Bancorp, SCOR Reinsurance.
The BUID 301 course was incredible. I really enjoyed the structure and would recommend it to everyone possible.
Take the Next Step
There is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.