Program Overview

Program Overview

The Creative, Critical & Design Thinking program is designed to enhance problem-solving skills through thoughtful and innovative approaches. This online program employs the same tools used by leaders in various industries, teaching systematic and human-centered processes to empathize with people, identify and frame problems, seek different viewpoints, and generate test ideas.

Program Highlights

• Innovative, solutions-focused problem solving
• Online courses taught by industry experts
• Earn a certificate of professional learning
• Open enrolment program

Program Features

• Learn the same reasoning tools and techniques used by leaders in business, government, healthcare, the arts, technology, and more
• Opportunities to compile a toolkit of creative thinking techniques to generate, evaluate, and develop new ideas and solutions
• Practical activities, including case studies, group discussions, and projects to enhance critical thinking skills for working and living in today's complex world
• Flexible options to complete as a certificate of professional learning or apply courses toward electives or concentration of the Business Administration Diploma

What You'll Learn

• How to leverage a design thinking mindset for problem-solving
• How to acquire a creative thinking, problem-solving toolkit
• Best practices to develop design solutions and construct prototypes

Program Outcomes

Through this program, you'll learn to:

• Develop competencies in critical, creative, and design thinking to investigate an idea and transform it into meaningful action
• Apply divergent and convergent thinking tools to situations within a variety of fields and settings
• Examine principles and models of creative, critical, and design thinking to effectively solve problems for users and stakeholders
• Practice using the tools, frameworks, and processes needed to develop solutions to industry problems and complex situations
• Construct and execute innovative strategies in relation to problems and situations
• Become aware of, and leverage, the role(s) played in creative processes and teams
• Reflect on and meaningfully communicate your experiences of creating, problem-solving, and designing
• Recognize how to identify, participate in, and support communities committed to sustainable change

Career Opportunities

Earning a Certificate of Professional Learning in Creative, Critical & Design Thinking demonstrates to employers that you have the skills they are looking for in a wide variety of industries, especially in-demand for roles such as:

• Marketer
• Sales professional
• Customer Service Representative
• Information Technology Professional
• Portfolio Accountant
• Controller
• Financial Analyst
• Team Leader
• Manager

Academic Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to:

• Develop competencies in critical, creative, and design thinking to investigate an idea and transform it into meaningful action
• Apply divergent and convergent thinking tools to situations within a variety of fields and settings
• Examine principles and models of creative, critical, and design thinking to effectively solve problems for users and stakeholders
• Practice using the tools, frameworks, and processes needed to develop solutions to real-world problems and complex situations
• Construct and execute innovative strategies for problems and complex situations
• Become aware of and leverage the role(s) they play in creative processes and teams
• Reflect on and meaningfully communicate their experiences of creating, problem-solving, and designing
• Recognize how to identify, participate in, and support communities of practice committed to sustainable change

Certificate Requirements

To earn the Certificate of Professional Learning in Creative, Critical & Design Thinking, complete all 3 courses:

1. CCD 101: Cultivating Creative Thinking - $767.05, 3.0 units
2. CCD 102: Critical Thinking for Problem Solving - $767.05, 3.0 units
3. CCD 103: Design Thinking - $767.05, 3.0 units

Admission Requirements

This program is open enrolment, meaning there is no formal application or admission procedure. To enrol in a course, simply register online. Our courses can be taken as part of a program or individually.

• Have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent
• Be a mature student as defined in the Undergraduate Calendar of McMaster University
• Be deemed an exceptional case

Language Requirements

If English is not your native language, you must meet McMaster University's English proficiency requirements by either qualifying for an exemption or passing a McMaster-approved English test.

Registration Process

1. Visit the program page to find your program of choice
2. Click on each tab to learn about credential options and requirements, schedule and fees, and a list of all courses in the program
3. Select a course and then select an available offering, noting important information such as cost, delivery format, and start/end dates; then click ‘add to cart’
4. Once you have added your courses, click the shopping cart icon at the top right-hand corner of the page
5. Review your cart and, once you’re ready to proceed with enrolment, click ‘proceed to checkout’
6. As the next step, you will be redirected to Mosaic – McMaster’s Administrative Information and Enrolment system
7. Once you are in Mosaic, select ‘new to McMaster’ or log in with your existing MacID and password (if applicable)
8. Complete all required fields and select a program of study when prompted (i.e., a specific program or open studies for standalone courses)
9. Finally, payment is required in full to secure a spot in your course(s)

Payment Options

• Payment must be made in full at the time of enrolment
• Online credit card or debit payments are preferred
• Accepted credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, and American Express
• Accepted debit cards: Visa Debit and Debit Mastercard
• Google Pay is available for faster checkout
• Payments can be made from a Canadian Financial Institution and can take 2 to 4 business days to arrive in your McMaster student account. Once payment has arrived, you can register for your course. Please note that if the amount of the course fees owing is more than what was transferred to your student account, you will be dropped from the course.