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Executive education in design

Nearly every industry uses design elements to brand and promote products and services. To develop professional design skills, enroll in an Executive Education course in design on edX today.

See all design executive education programs
$2,500–$3,500
Total program cost
6–10 weeks
Program length
8 hours per week
Weekly study requirements

What is executive education in design?

Executive education courses in design aim to help designers gain the skills they need to advance their careers. These programs often cost $2,500-$3,500 and generally last 6-10 weeks, requiring about eight hours of study per week.

These courses often cover advanced design concepts and leadership skills that can give you a competitive advantage when applying for jobs or getting promotions.

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Outcomes-based design
An immersive cohort-based learning experience that is designed to optimize learning outcomes and ensure global networking opportunities.
Real-world impact
Courses are tailored to address today’s organizational issues and opportunities so that you can make effective decisions to impact change.
Dedicated support
Success Advisers provide administrative and technical support 24/7 and our tutors, who are subject matter experts, offer academic support.

How can a design executive education program impact my professional goals?

If you're a mid-career design professional looking to advance into leadership roles, executive education programs in design can help. Design professionals can use the verified certificate they earn upon passing the program to demonstrate their proficiency in areas outside of their main specialization.

Additionally, design executive education courses can help you build skills in new areas of design or leadership, qualifying you for more advanced roles. These courses can also help non-design professionals incorporate elements of design into their daily responsibilities.

Who should enroll?

To understand who could benefit from an executive education program in design, consider these example student profiles:

  • A photographer who wants to improve their web design skills to create a portfolio website for better online visibility
  • A mid-career user experience designer who wants to build management skills to earn a promotion
  • A late-career design professional who wants to update their technology skills and remain competitive in a rapidly changing media landscape

Whether you want to stay competitive in your field or break into a new one, an executive education program in design can help you advance.

What you'll learn

Executive education programs in design focus on essential hard and soft skills for design professionals or those interested in breaking into the field. These proficiencies may include:

  • Leadership
  • Creative problem solving
  • Design technology and software
  • Design basics for non-design professionals
  • Medium-specific composition
  • Project management
  • Typography
  • Adobe Suite products
  • Web design
  • User experience

Find programs that meet your professional development goals

Ready to level up in your design career? Explore Executive Education Programs and free online courses on edX.

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Frequently asked questions

How to choose the right executive education design program?

To choose an executive education program in design, consider your skill gaps and career goals. By determining which skills would be most valuable for you, you can find a program that best suits your needs.

Is a career in design profitable?

Yes, a career in design can be profitable, depending on your field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, web developers and digital designers, for example, earned a median annual salary of $95,380 in 2024, which is more than twice the average salary across occupations.

Is an executive education in design worth it?

Yes. Executive education may lead to career advancement and a higher salary that exceeds the cost of the program.

For example, the BLS reports that graphic designers made a median annual salary of $61,300 in 2024. If you land an art director role after taking an executive education course, you could make a median annual salary of $111,040. This difference is far more than the tuition for executive education courses, making the program worthwhile.

What are the benefits of pursuing an executive education in design?

The benefits of taking an executive education course in design may include:

  • Potential for career advancement
  • Improved leadership skills
  • Updated technology skills
  • Networking opportunities with like-minded peers from around the world
  • Education from top schools like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)