An Overview of the Design Thinking Executive Program Academics at University of California Riverside Extension

​​The Design Thinking Executive Program at UCR Extension is designed to train you and develop your abilities to apply innovative Design Thinking principles to increase ROI at your organization. Learn to analyze, manage and build techniques to create and deliver customer experiences that are unique and valuable in the marketplace. Develop your strategies to solve messy, real-world problems and how to communicate results. Gain technical, analytical and communication skills through Design Thinking at UCR Extension with a project-based, interdisciplinary curriculum, which seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the new customer experience. ​

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With true Design Thinking and creative problem-solving innovation involving everyone in your organization, the program is ideal for a wide variety of backgrounds.

• Director of Business Development
• Vice President of Marketing
• Senior Marketing Manager
• Brand Manager
• Financial Analyst
• Marketing Director
• Marketing Manager
• Director of Operation
• Business Intelligence Manager
• Product Manager
• Project Manager
• Entire Project Teams

Interdisciplinary Approach

Design Thinking requires you to work as a team across disciplines to understand the entire customer experience. Our curriculum is designed to engage you and your peers in hands-on learning opportunities to solve real-world problems.  ​​

Practical Outcomes

Our instructors and leadership consult directly with organizations in today's marketplace ensuring you will leave the program with skills and knowledge to ask the right questions and manage your teams using the Design Thinking Approach.

Hands-On Learning

Our program is designed to lead you in solving real-world problems by facilitating exercises and simulations. Our interactive, hands-on sessions utilize best-practice methods and frameworks. In our online offerings, you'll have access to weekly virtual interaction with instructors and peers.

Actionable Toolkit

During the program, you'll complete your own Professional Design Thinking Portfolio and apply your learnings toward your Capstone Project: a real or hypothetical problem, solution and strategic plan.

Key Takeaways

• Customer Research Methods - Segmentation, Persona, Emotional Response, Feedback
• Data Analytics - Predictive & Prescriptive Analytics
• Innovation Tools - Refinement, Iteration & Testing
• Measurement & ROI - Success Criteria & Experience KPIs

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