Program Overview

Expert in Design Thinking with Recognition of University Microcredential in Design Thinking

The Design Thinking process begins by defining a challenge, and this course challenges students to discover their potential. Design thinking transforms the way products, services, and processes are developed, as well as a company's strategy. It makes the individual think like a designer to find creative solutions to problems.

Objectives

The general objective of the course is to provide students with basic methods and techniques to acquire skills for solving problems creatively. The specific objectives include:

• Knowing the principles and fundamentals of Design Thinking
• Teaching students to find solutions and design products, services, and business models focused on customer needs
• Managing different tools and techniques of Design Thinking
• Applying the Design Thinking method to service design and circular design
• Instructing students in the use of dynamics for innovation management
• Enhancing professional knowledge through creativity

Competences

According to the microcredential, the competences include:

• Thinking creatively and innovatively
• Designing systems and products
• Advising on sustainability solutions According to the expert title, the competences include:
• Knowledge, application, and facilitation of the Design Thinking Process
• Knowledge, application, and facilitation of the Service Design process
• Knowledge, application, and facilitation of the Circular Design process
• Identifying and developing effective dynamics and tools

Programme

The course has a total of 10 credits and is taught online. The program includes:

Module I: The Design Thinking Facilitation Exercise and Its Method

• Introduction to Design Thinking
• Facilitation and the role of the facilitator
• Creativity and innovation
• Models for design thinking and its process

Module II: Dynamics, Techniques, and Tools for Facilitating Innovation Processes Through Design Thinking

• Preliminary Phase Tools
• Preliminary and empathy tools
• Tools of the definition phase
• Ideation Phase Tools
• Tools of the prototyping phase
• Tools of the testing phase

Module III: Service Design

• Service design: Principles and conceptualization
• Service Design Vs Design Thinking
• The Service Design process
• Service design models
• Service Design Tools
• Innovation, service design, and business models

Module IV: Circular Design

• Circular design: principles and conceptualization
• Circular Design Models
• Circle Design Tools
• Innovation, circular design, and business models

Module V: Final Degree Project

Recipients

The course is aimed at students with a previous university degree, as well as students without a degree. The requirements include:

1. Students enrolled in a Bachelor's or Double Degree with a maximum of 30 ECTS credits of an official university degree in Spain
2. Exceptionally, students without a previous official university degree but with work experience in the field
3. A Microcredential for the degree will be obtained, and certification of a university degree will not be necessary for this

Academic Management and Faculty

The faculty includes tenured university professors and doctors with more than 20 years of experience in teaching and research. The academic management team includes:

• Luisa Eugenia Reyes Recio
• Eloisa Diaz Garrido
• Isabel Soriano Pinar
• Niurka Guevara Otero
• Rocio Usero
• Nuria Perales Prieto

Duration and Development

The course lasts 3 months, with 10 ECTS credits of Academic Credit Recognition. Synchronous classes will be taught through the platform every Friday from 16:00 p.m. to 21:00 p.m.

Reservation of Place and Enrollment

• Start date: September 27, 2024
• Pre-registration period: from May 22, 2024, to September 09, 2024
• Enrollment Deadline: from September 10, 2024, to September 20, 2024
• Title price: 800 Euros
• Number of Places: 20

Documentation to Attach, Forms, and Place of Delivery

The applicant must present scanned documentation, including:

• National Identity Document or equivalent
• University Degree of the studies that give access to the requested postgraduate degree
• Curriculum vitae
• Responsible declaration of veracity of the data provided in digital format
• Any other document required by the Academic Department of Continuing Education for acceptance