UpSkill, Certificate
This 4-course, applied online program is designed to efficiently map Ivy League coursework to in-demand professional skill sets and support you as you progress toward your next career goal. The Upskill Certificate’s competitive advantage is its laser focus on career readiness backed with the timelessness of the liberal arts in an online work- and family-friendly format. You can also tailor your certificate to your ambition by choosing courses that complement your career goals—whether that entails enhancing your communication skills, understanding workplace dynamics, or mastering the foundations of data science.
This program is designed for anyone looking to upskill or reskill, including:
- Graduates who are looking for ways to become more competitive in the job market
- Individuals who have been recently laid off due to workforce reductions
- Workers who are looking to revise or rebrand their skill set
Upskill Certificate Requirements
- The Upskill Certificate is a 4-course, 4 c.u. credit program of study taught by University of Pennsylvania faculty.
- To earn a certificate, students complete any four of the courses indicated below.
- Students who complete the basic certificate may pursue an Advanced Upskill Certificate (6-course, 6 c.u.) by adding two additional eligible courses.
Flexible Course Schedule and Tuition
Penn LPS Online courses in the Upskill Certificate are offered on an accelerated (8-week) schedule, so the certificate can be completed in less than one year. Courses in the online certificate program are largely asynchronous with some synchronous sessions to be scheduled by the instructors. All Penn LPS Online courses are taught at the undergraduate level by Penn instructors.
You have the option to enroll in individual upskill courses without committing to the entire online certificate, enjoying the flexibility and expertise offered by Penn LPS Online to suit your schedule and interests.
Learn more about the Upskill Certificate.
The Upskill Certificate can prepare you to:
- Develop rhetorical strategies and skills to persuade specific audiences through verbal, visual, and written communication
- Practice and apply critical thinking skills in the classroom and workplace
- Explore competing schools of thought about leadership ethics
- Learn how to use quantitative and qualitative data in decision-making and problem-solving
- Use empathic and analytic skills to integrate and build upon other viewpoints and perspectives
- Identify, develop, and apply distinctive leadership traits and skills
- Learn how readers, writers, and designers use complex multimedia texts incorporating language, image, sound, and gesture to produce a coherent, engaging message
- Understand how to make complex information accessible to audiences through effective visualization
Curriculum
Certificate students who complete four of the online courses listed below earn an Upskill Certificate. Those students are then eligible to pursue an Advanced Upskill Certificate by taking two additional courses.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Upskill Certificate | ||
| Students can elect to take any 4 of the courses listed below for the basic certificate: | 4 | |
| Introduction to Data Analytics | ||
| Digital Literacy & Cultural Change | ||
| Introduction to Global Studies | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Leadership Theory, Practice and Purpose | ||
| Introduction to Applied Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Team Culture | ||
| Virtual Collaboration | ||
| Fundamentals of Professional Writing | ||
| Introduction to College Writing | ||
| Composing a Professional Identity | ||
| Total Course Units | 4 | |
Advanced Certificate
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Students can elect to take any 2 of the courses listed below for the advanced certificate, aside from the courses taken for the Basic Certificate: | 2 | |
| Introduction to Data Analytics | ||
| Digital Literacy & Cultural Change | ||
| Introduction to Global Studies | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Leadership Theory, Practice and Purpose | ||
| Introduction to Applied Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Team Culture | ||
| Virtual Collaboration | ||
| Fundamentals of Professional Writing | ||
| Introduction to College Writing | ||
| Composing a Professional Identity | ||
| Total Course Units | 2 | |
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.