Best Design Thinking Certifications in 2025
As a product manager, you're constantly seeking ways to advance your career and enhance your professional development. Certifications can provide that edge, addressing challenges you face daily.
In this article, you'll find overviews of top design thinking certifications, focusing on pricing, prerequisites, and suitability. You'll get a clear picture of which certification aligns best with your goals and how it can benefit your work.
Best Design Thinking Certifications Shortlist
Here's a shortlist of the best design thinking certifications I think are worth looking into:
- Foundations in Design Thinking Certificate - Best for beginners
- Design Thinking - Best for technology integration
- Innovation and Design Thinking Certificate Program - Best for rapid innovation
- Design Thinking Professional Certificate - DTPC® - Best for professional development
- Advanced Design Thinking Certificate - Best for advanced practitioners
- Mastering Design Thinking - Best for executive-level insights
- Certificate Program in Design Thinking - Best for virtual learning
- Executive Certificate in Design Thinking for Innovation - Best for strategic leaders
- Design Thinking Certificate (Butler University) - Best for design problem-solving skill development
- Certified Design Thinking Professional - Best for global recognition
- DL125- Certificate Design Thinking - Best for affordability and a creative industry focus
- Design Thinking Certificate (Bryant University) - Best for career acceleration
- Design Thinking, Graduate Certificate - Best for working professionals
Overviews of the Best Design Thinking Certifications
Below are my detailed summaries of the best design thinking certifications that made it onto my shortlist.
1. Foundations in Design Thinking Certificate - Best for beginners
The Foundations in Design Thinking Certificate introduces the key concepts of design thinking, providing you with the tools needed to approach problems creatively. You'll engage with interactive content and practical exercises to build a solid foundation in this methodology.
Issued by: IDEO U
Focus:
- Human-centered design
- Ideation techniques
- Prototyping skills
- Collaborative problem-solving
Prerequisites:
- Education: Completion of required courses
- Work Experience: None required
- Exam: None required
- Other Certifications: None
Renewability: No, it does not expire.
Price: $1,598
Who It’s For: If you're new to design thinking, this certification equips you to tackle challenges creatively and collaboratively, enhancing your team's problem-solving capabilities.
2. Design Thinking - Best for technology integration
The Design Thinking Certificate program guides you through a human-centered approach to design, focusing on improving products, experiences, and systems. You'll engage in real-world projects and receive personalized feedback to enhance your problem-solving skills.
Issued by: eCornell
Focus:
- Human-centered design
- User-centered solutions
- Design prototyping
- Gathering user emotions
Prerequisites:
- Education: None required
- Work Experience: None required
- Exam: None required
- Other Certifications: None required
Renewability: No, it does not expire.
Price: $3,900
Who It’s For: This certification is perfect if you're looking to integrate design thinking into tech projects, helping you create innovative solutions and enhance your team's efficiency.
3. Innovation and Design Thinking Certificate Program - Best for rapid innovation
The Innovation and Design Thinking Certificate program offers a deep dive into design thinking, emphasizing customer-centric innovation. You'll learn to rapidly develop and test ideas, enhancing your ability to drive change within your organization.
Issued by: American Management Association
Focus:
- Customer-centric innovation
- Rapid idea development
- Testing and iteration
- Creative problem-solving
Prerequisites:
- Education: None required
- Work Experience: None required
- Exam: None required
- Other Certifications: None required
Renewability: No, it does not expire.
Price:
- AMA Member: $2,695
- Non Member: $2,995
Who It’s For: This certification is ideal if you aim to lead innovation efforts, helping you quickly bring new ideas to life and improve your team's agility in responding to market demands.
4. Design Thinking Professional Certificate - DTPC® - Best for professional development
The Design Thinking Professional Certificate equips you with advanced skills in design thinking, focusing on practical application in diverse industries. You'll gain a comprehensive understanding of the design thinking process, enabling you to implement innovative solutions effectively.
Issued by: Certiprof
Focus:
- Advanced design thinking
- Practical application
- Industry-specific solutions
- Innovation techniques
Prerequisites:
- Education: None required
- Work Experience: None required
- Exam: Yes, a comprehensive exam is required.
- Other Certifications: None
Renewability: No, it does not expire.
Price: $199
Who It’s For: If you're aiming to deepen your design thinking expertise, this certification helps you drive innovation and create impactful changes in your work environment.
5. Advanced Design Thinking Certificate - Best for advanced practitioners
The Advanced Design Thinking Certificate program delves deeper into design thinking methodologies, enhancing your ability to tackle complex challenges. You'll refine your skills in prototyping and experimentation, preparing you to lead innovation in your projects and teams.
Issued by: IDEO U
Focus:
- Complex problem-solving
- Advanced prototyping
- Experimentation techniques
- Innovation leadership
Prerequisites:
- Education: Completion of courses
- Work Experience: None required
- Exam: None required
- Other Certifications: The Foundations in Design Thinking Certificate
Renewability: No, it does not expire.
Price: $3,395
Who It’s For: This certification is ideal if you're ready to elevate your design thinking skills, helping you lead innovative projects and drive meaningful change in your work.
6. Mastering Design Thinking - Best for executive-level insights
Mastering Design Thinking certification provides a comprehensive exploration of design thinking principles, tailored for executive leaders. You'll engage in strategic exercises that strengthen your decision-making capabilities and enhance your innovation leadership.
Issued by: MIT Sloan Executive Education
Focus:
- Strategic decision-making
- Innovation leadership
- Design thinking principles
- Executive-level strategies
Prerequisites:
- Education: None required
- Work Experience: Recommended for executives
- Exam: None required
- Other Certifications: None
Renewability: No, it does not expire.
Price: $3,300
Who It’s For: This design thinking certification is perfect for executives aiming to integrate design thinking into their leadership approach, empowering you to drive strategic innovation and make informed decisions.
7. Certificate Program in Design Thinking - Best for virtual learning
Certificate Program in Design Thinking offers a complete online experience in design thinking, focusing on interactive and practical learning. You’ll engage in live virtual sessions that allow you to apply design thinking principles in real-time scenarios.
Issued by: QAI Global Institute
Focus:
- Interactive learning
- Real-time application
- Design thinking principles
- Virtual collaboration
Prerequisites:
- Education: None required
- Work Experience: None required
- Exam: None required
- Other Certifications: None
Renewability: No, it does not expire.
Price: INR 9,500
Who It’s For: This certification is tailored for those seeking a flexible, virtual learning environment to master design thinking, enabling you to innovate and collaborate effectively in your projects.
8. Executive Certificate in Design Thinking for Innovation - Best for strategic leaders
The Executive Certificate in Design Thinking for Innovation program focuses on integrating design thinking into strategic innovation processes. You'll learn to apply design principles to enhance leadership in innovation and drive impactful business solutions.
Issued by: Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
Focus:
- Strategic innovation
- Leadership in design
- Business solution development
- Design thinking integration
Prerequisites:
- Education: No formal education requirements
- Work Experience: Recommended for executives
- Exam: None required
- Other Certifications: None required
Renewability: No, it does not expire.
Price: Pricing upon request
Who It’s For: This certification is ideal for strategic leaders looking to incorporate design thinking into their leadership toolkit, helping you drive innovation and craft effective business strategies.
9. Design Thinking Certificate (Butler University) - Best for design problem-solving skills
The Design Thinking Certificate provides a thorough grounding in design thinking, emphasizing practical applications and real-world problem-solving. You'll engage in hands-on projects that help you apply design thinking methodologies effectively.
Issued by: Butler University
Focus:
- Practical applications
- Real-world problem-solving
- Design thinking methodologies
- Hands-on projects
Prerequisites:
- Education: Completion of required courses
- Work Experience: None required
- Exam: None required
- Other Certifications: None
Renewability: No, it does not expire.
Price: $1,990
Who It’s For: This certification is perfect if you want to master design thinking's comprehensive aspects, allowing you to tackle challenges creatively and enhance your team's productivity.
10. Certified Design Thinking Professional - Best for global recognition
The Certified Design Thinking Professional validates your expertise in design thinking, focusing on applying these principles in diverse settings. It equips you with the skills needed to drive innovation and improve processes within your team or organization.
Issued by: Global Skill Development Council
Focus:
- Design thinking principles
- Innovation strategies
- Process improvement
- Diverse application settings
Prerequisites:
- Education: No formal education requirements
- Work Experience: Work experience in Project and Product Management
- Exam: Yes, a comprehensive exam is required.
- Other Certifications: None
Renewability: No, it does not expire.
Price: $100
Who It’s For: This certification is ideal if you're looking to gain global recognition for your design thinking skills, allowing you to lead innovative projects and improve team processes effectively.
11. DL125- Certificate Design Thinking - Best for affordability and a creative industry focus
This design thinking certificate program focuses on nurturing your creative problem-solving skills through design thinking methodologies. You'll engage in projects that challenge you to apply innovative solutions in various contexts, enhancing your ability to think outside the box.
Issued by: IADT
Focus:
- Creative problem-solving
- Innovative solution application
- Design thinking methodologies
- Contextual project work
Prerequisites:
- Education: No formal education requirements
- Work Experience: None required
- Exam: None required
- Other Certifications: None required
Renewability: No, it does not expire.
Price: Pricing upon request
Who It’s For: This certification is perfect for those looking to enhance their creative problem-solving abilities, allowing you to approach challenges with innovative solutions and improve your team's effectiveness.
12. Design Thinking Certificate (Bryant University) - Best for career acceleration
The Design Thinking Certificate by Bryant University offers an immersive experience in design thinking, equipping you with the skills to drive innovation and improve customer experiences. You'll engage in practical exercises that enhance your ability to think creatively and implement effective solutions.
Issued by: Bryant University
Focus:
- Innovation and creativity
- Customer experience improvement
- Practical design exercises
- Effective solution implementation
Prerequisites:
- Education: Completion of required courses
- Work Experience: None required
- Exam: None required
- Other Certifications: None
Renewability: No, it does not expire.
Price: $1,995
Who It’s For: This design thinking certification is ideal if you're looking to accelerate your career by mastering design thinking, enabling you to lead innovative projects and enhance your team's performance.
13. Design Thinking, Graduate Certificate - Best for working professionals
IU Online’s Graduate Certificate in Design Thinking is built for working professionals. The fully online format lets you upskill without pausing your career, while the curriculum focuses on collaborative problem-solving and innovation—skills you can apply immediately in team settings. Expect practical, project-driven learning with a flexible schedule that fits around your workday.
Issued by: Indiana University
Focus:
- Collaborative innovation
- Creative problem-solving
- Team dynamics
- Interactive online coursework
Prerequisites:
- Education: Bachelor's degree required
- Work Experience: None required
- Exam: None required
- Other Certifications: None required
Renewability: No, it does not expire.
Price: $424.50 per credit
Who It’s For: This certification is ideal if you're looking to leverage design thinking for collaborative innovation, helping you lead your team in developing creative solutions to complex challenges.
FAQs About Design Thinking Certifications
What are the benefits of getting a design thinking certification?
A design thinking certification can boost your problem-solving skills, making you more effective in tackling complex challenges. It shows your commitment to innovation and can enhance your career prospects. You'll learn to apply creative strategies, improve team collaboration, and drive project success.
How do I choose the right design thinking certification?
Consider your career goals and the skills you want to develop. Look at the course content, format, and duration. Check if the certification is recognized in your industry. Think about your budget and whether the program offers any hands-on practice or real-world applications.
Do I need prior experience in design thinking to get certified?
Most design thinking certifications don't require prior experience. They're designed to teach you the fundamentals. However, having some familiarity with design principles or creative problem-solving can be helpful. Always check the prerequisites for each program to know what to expect.
Other Useful Resources
Here are a few other useful resources to check out:
What's Next?
Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more product management resources and guides, plus the latest podcasts, interviews, and other insights from industry leaders and experts.