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AI for Professional Practice (Certificate)

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The AI for Professional Practice certificate allows students to earn a stand‑alone credential while building practical knowledge of AI concepts and tools used in professional settings.

Degrees & Offerings
  • Certificate
Location
  • Online
Department
College
Program Contact
MSIDT Program Coordinator, Associate Professor
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Program Overview

  • Career‑Focused Skills: Students learn how to apply AI tools in real workplace scenarios — including business, education, communications, and administrative settings — making the certificate valuable across industries.
  • Flexible Online Format: 100% online delivery supports working professionals and students with busy schedules.
  • No Technical Background Required: The program is designed for students from any major or profession who want to use AI effectively, not build or code AI systems.
  • Ethical & Responsible AI Use: A strong emphasis on understanding the risks, limitations, and responsible use of AI in professional environments.
  • Hands‑On Practice: Students work directly with widely used AI tools and emerging systems to build confidence and practical experience.
  • Stackable Credential: The certificate can complement a degree or enhance a professional résumé as a standalone credential.

Courses and Curriculum

AI for Professional Practice Certificate Requirements

  • 12 credits required for certificate completion
  • Students should meet with their academic advisor each semester and use Degree Works to monitor their individual progress toward completion of the certificate.

Certificate Requirements

  Certificate Progress: Enrolled students can review program requirements and track progress toward certificate completion using the university’s degree audit and advising tool, Degree Works.

Upon completion of this certificate, students will be able to:

  1. Define key artificial intelligence concepts and terminology.
  2. Identify common professional use cases for AI technologies.
  3. Apply prompting strategies to generate useful AI outputs.
  4. Evaluate AI tools, chatbots, and agents for professional tasks.
  5. Recognize ethical considerations related to AI use.

Careers

The AI Professional Practice Certificate gives students practical, real‑world skills to use AI confidently in any career. It focuses on everyday AI tools, effective prompting, and ethical use — preparing graduates for a wide range of AI‑supported roles across industries. Example roles may include:

Potential Job Opportunities

  • AI‑Enhanced Business Analyst
  • AI‑Supported Marketing Specialist
  • Instructional Designer
  • AI Tools Coordinator
  • Operations or Workflow Automation Assistant
  • Content Creator or Communications Assistant
Commonwealth University’s M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology program is helping graduate students stay competitive in a rapidly changing field.

Gaining an AI Advantage

Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept reserved for tech specialists. It’s rapidly becoming a foundational skill across industries. As a result, Commonwealth University is shaping the evolution of its M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology program in ways that are both intentional and forward-thinking. For Karl Kapp, professor and director of CU’s Institute for Interactive Technologies, the shift toward integrating AI into the graduate curriculum didn’t begin as a trend to follow but as a response to a clear signal from the field.

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AI image created from a profile photo of Dr. Karl Kapp.

Harnessing AI in Instructional Design

Artificial Intelligence is transforming the field of instructional design and technology. From accelerating content creation and generating custom graphics to deploying AI avatars as virtual instructors, the possibilities are expanding rapidly. Commonwealth University is at the forefront of adapting to this technological revolution, designing curricula that prepare the next generation of learning professionals to navigate and leverage AI effectively.

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Program Faculty

M.S. Instructional Design and Technology Professor

Jessica Briskin

  • MSIDT Program Coordinator, Associate Professor
  • Bloomsburg
M.S. Instructional Design and Technology Professor

Karl M. Kapp

  • Professor of Instructional Design and Technology
  • Bloomsburg

Applying to This Program

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