Innovation and Design Thinking

Audience: Anyone interested in learning the method of approaching challenges that addresses the needs of the audience and diversity of thought.
Method: Online course
Duration: 6 weeks 
Cost: $795
Graduate application: Not required
Credits: Non-credit course

Learn to solve problems with our online design thinking course

Rise to meet your professional challenges through design thinking, an innovative approach to problem solving. Leverage your creativity and experience in this six-week, online design thinking class.

What is design thinking?

Design thinking is a process used for problem solving that focuses on people and not the issue. This unique people-first approach results in creative, innovative solutions that can revolutionize an industry. Integrating empathy as part of problem solving aligns with Creighton’s Jesuit, Catholic tradition, and you’ll find our values incorporated into this engaging class.

Discover the key to this problem-solving process

The design thinking process is active, flexible and hands-on, fostering creative ideas that are rigorously tested. Design thinking can be applied to many challenges, such as finding new customers, developing new products or solving some of the world’s most complex problems. Used to create the first computer mouse, employed across industries and applied to address social issues, design thinking requires hands-on application and creativity.

Course outcomes

Our design thinking program focuses on collaborative and active learning and examines contemporary organizational challenges. Students will learn practical techniques, including empathetic research, redefining problems, innovation, ideation, rapid-prototyping and testing with examples to help them immediately approach their own challenges. The program includes:

• Expert curated video presentations
• Leading design and organizational research
• Thought-provoking labs and activities
• Diverse and engaging discussions
• Practical projects and tool kits

Our lessons will introduce you to the design thinking process through team-based activities, case studies and real-world challenges, so you can become a design thinking champion within your organization. If you’re ready to take on complex issues—in a way that starts with the people, not the problem—this course is the place to be.

Meet your course instructor

This course is led by Kathy Craig, director of innovation, research and development at Creighton University. Craig holds a Master of Science in biology and has completed additional PhD graduate work. She’s also familiar with HTML and 3D graphic design. She’s passionate about design thinking because of the method’s inclusivity and focus on empathy. Craig also loves the creativity that inevitably occurs as students explore the process. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, exploring new technologies, marine and field biology, and outdoor activities, including biking, swimming and kayaking.

Note that this course does not carry college credit and cannot be converted to academic credit in the future.

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