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CU Boulder’s Engineering Management Program, in collaboration with Siemens Digital Industries Software, is proud to announce the launch of its new graduate certificate in Design for the Circular Economy. Offered through the Coursera platform, this innovative program is designed to equip students and working professionals with the skills needed to thrive in, or enter into, the rapidly growing field of sustainability and the circular economy.

The circular economy is transforming industries around the globe, focusing on redesigning products to be more resource-efficient and compatible with repurposing and recycling into new products at the end of their lifecycle. As businesses, governments, and nonprofit organizations increasingly prioritize sustainability, demand for professionals with expertise in circular economy practices is surging. 

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation (in collaboration with McKinsey & Company) estimated that transitioning to a circular economy could generate around 700,000 jobs in the European Union alone by 2030, across sectors such as recycling, remanufacturing, and product life extension. The CU Boulder and Siemens collaboration aims to meet this need through cutting-edge, online education that prepares graduates to drive positive change within their organizations and beyond.

The Design for the Circular Economy graduate certificate is a 9-credit hour, 100% online program. The program offers four specializations consisting of 12 1-credit hour courses. Eight courses will be offered by mid-January, with the remaining courses to launch by summer 2025. Students are required to complete any two 3-credit hour specializations (totaling 6 credit hours), and 3 additional courses (totaling 3 credit hours), which could include another specialization or any three topical electives from the Design for the Circular Economy Certificate electives.

The future of business is circular

Program participants will gain an in-depth understanding of cradle-to-cradle design methodologies, sustainable operations and supply chain management, and the leadership skills necessary to implement these practices at scale. Students will learn to design sustainable products, assess environmental and social impacts, and manage operations in alignment with circular economy principles.

100% online—flexible for professionals

The certificate is delivered 100% online from the Coursera platform, providing students with flexibility to balance their studies with professional and personal commitments. The program’s reach is global, offering students and professionals worldwide the opportunity to enhance their expertise and contribute to the growing demand for circular economy specialists.

Skills acquired

Upon completing the certificate, students will gain both foundational technical knowledge and practical professional skills. Graduates will be equipped with:

• Technical knowledge and skills: Understand and apply concepts of the circular economy to areas of product design and development, social and environmental impact analysis, industrial ecology, zero waste and systems thinking.
• Business knowledge and skills: Develop innovative new business models, create and manage projects incorporating sustainable finance and reporting, marketing and brand management, as well as sustainable and resilient operations and supply chains.
• Leadership knowledge and skills: Build confidence in communicating to internal and external stakeholders and develop the skills to navigate uncertainty and implement transformational change in their organizations.

Learners who complete a course, a specialization, or this certificate are eligible to earn digital badges from Siemens.

About the CU Boulder Engineering Management Program

The CU Boulder Engineering Management Program provides professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to bridge the gap between engineering and management. Through innovative, flexible, and interdisciplinary programs, CU Boulder prepares students to become leaders in technology-driven industries. The program is committed to advancing sustainability through education and research, making the transition to a circular economy an essential part of its mission.

For more information about the graduate certificate in Design for the Circular Economy and how to enroll, please on Coursera. on Jan. 2, 2025.

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