Program of Study
This certification is made up of four online, practical courses that build on your problem solving and leadership skills. In the end, you will receive 24 academic credits and your certificate, which show that you have the knowledge to be a courageous leader in your organization.
Most Minerva University CDA students complete the certification in one year of part-time study, but you can also choose to finish it in 24 months. Use the below information to define your graduate education.
"I love that Minerva's curriculum is both big picture—addressing meta themes such as how we can best learn given insights from the science of learning—and detailed, such as the problem solving HC's that give you a frame for characterizing and breaking down problems. The result is an incredibly robust curriculum that is as ambitious as the subject matter. Decisions touch every facet of life and this program prepares you for it all!"
Structure
Choose your path
The CDA is a flexible, part-time program, which means that you get to choose between two defined timelines that dictate how long it will take you to finish the course. For a more expanded version of this course, investigate the Master of Science in Decision Making and Applied Analytics.
The CDA curriculum comprises four practical knowledge courses designed to develop your creative and critical thinking skills and teach you to interact more effectively.
Required Courses
Modular Courses
Curriculum is structured in a modular format, with students completing one course unit every other weekend. Most courses are spread across three weekends, with 22 total weekends of in-class time over 17 months for the MDA and 16 weekends over 12 months for the CDA.
Class Schedule
Courses are offered in multiple synchronous 2.5-hour class sessions Friday through Sunday every other weekend at set times - with three fixed group section times and an additional one or two 2-hour synchronous flex times for each module. During these intensive weekends, students attend live, active learning sessions designed to maximize interaction and collaboration with peers and instructors, while allowing for more flexibility to balance personal and professional obligations during the week.
Workload Expectations
Students should anticipate dedicating at least 20 hours to class time and related work each weekend. In addition to the in-class hours, students will need to allocate between 2-5 hours for class preparation, asynchronous activities, and group work between sessions. Assignments may also be due the week following a completed module, reinforcing the importance of ongoing engagement.
Cultural Immersion
Add an immersive experience to your studies with an optional one-week, in-person program. Explore a global location and meet with local leaders in business and government, expand your global professional network, and engage with unfamiliar settings and new cultures. Your program fee covers essential components such as housing, programming, and administrative costs, which vary by location. Additional expenses such as airfare, local transportation to events, and most meals are not included in the fee. Typically, students should budget around $2,500 in total for the immersive week experience.
Transferring to the MDA
Once you have completed the CDA, you can petition to transfer to the Master of Science in Decision Making and Applied Analytics (MDA) degree and apply the credits you have earned to that degree. If you decide to transfer, you will need to complete the remaining MDA curriculum, which includes two courses and a master’s thesis.
Apply to Minerva University's Certificate in Decision Making and Applied Analytics graduate program and hone the skills to become a creative decision maker and problem solver.
