Talent Development Executive Certificate
Talent Development Executive Certificate
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The premier course for rising talent development executives.
The premier course for rising talent development executives.
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Conceptualized and co-offered by Penn GSE and ATD, this groundbreaking executive development program prepares senior-level professionals in talent and workplace learning with the vision, mindset, and skills to maximize impact and lead their organizations successfully into the future.
Conceptualized and co-offered by Penn GSE and ATD, this groundbreaking executive development program prepares senior-level professionals in talent and workplace learning with the vision, mindset, and skills to maximize impact and lead their organizations successfully into the future.
Unlock the C-Suite: Become a Business-Minded TD Leader
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Talent development (TD) leaders today must develop others, shape strategy, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and drive enterprise-wide initiatives. The Talent Development Executive Certificate is a learning experience like no other. It combines the industry expertise of ATD and academic rigor of the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE) to build personal, learning, and business leadership skills needed to successfully lead as a C-suite executive.
Talent development (TD) leaders today must develop others, shape strategy, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and drive enterprise-wide initiatives. The Talent Development Executive Certificate is a learning experience like no other. It combines the industry expertise of ATD and academic rigor of the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE) to build personal, learning, and business leadership skills needed to successfully lead as a C-suite executive.
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You will leave the program ready to:
You will leave the program ready to:
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Lead the TD function using leadership skills and effective communication.
Lead the TD function using leadership skills and effective communication.
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Align TD initiatives with overall business strategy and organizational needs.
Align TD initiatives with overall business strategy and organizational needs.
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Promote diversity, inclusion, and ethical standards within the organization.
Promote diversity, inclusion, and ethical standards within the organization.
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Optimize learning outcomes through science-based, learner-focused program design and evaluation.
Optimize learning outcomes through science-based, learner-focused program design and evaluation.
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Integrate and manage learning technologies to enhance efficiency and support business goals.
Integrate and manage learning technologies to enhance efficiency and support business goals.
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Implement knowledge management strategies to improve performance and achieve business outcomes.
Implement knowledge management strategies to improve performance and achieve business outcomes.
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Learn more about the Talent Development Executive Certificate program
ATD and Penn GSE: A Powerful Partnership
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ATD and Penn GSE have joined forces to co-offer this transformative program for talent development leaders. Unlike general executive leadership programs, this prestigious leadership program has been designed using competency research from ATD’s Talent Development Capability Model ™ and input from business leaders about what talent development and learning executives need to know and do to be successful.
ATD and Penn GSE have joined forces to co-offer this transformative program for talent development leaders. Unlike general executive leadership programs, this prestigious leadership program has been designed using competency research from ATD’s Talent Development Capability Model™ and input from business leaders about what talent development and learning executives need to know and do to be successful.
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Led by expert Penn faculty and senior TD practitioners, the cohort-based program is tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of senior talent leaders offering guidance, promoting knowledge sharing, and fostering collaboration across the vast interconnected global community of TD leaders.
Led by expert Penn faculty and senior TD practitioners, the cohort-based program is tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of senior talent leaders offering guidance, promoting knowledge sharing, and fostering collaboration across the vast interconnected global community of TD leaders.
Program Details
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Format: Blended, Virtual; Optional In-Person Event
Format: Blended, Virtual; Optional In-Person Event
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Length: Five months; 20 weeks
Length: Five months; 20 weeks
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Learning Hours: 57 total hours; includes a two-hour live online session per week and additional asynchronous coursework
Learning Hours: 57 total hours; includes a two-hour live online session per week and additional asynchronous coursework
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Credits:
Credits:
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CEU: 5.7*
CEU: 5.7*
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APTD: 50
APTD: 50
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CPTD: 50
CPTD: 50
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HRCI: 57
HRCI: 57
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PDC: 57
PDC: 57
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Recognition: Successful participants of this program will earn:
Recognition: Successful participants of this program will earn:
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Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to use as professional development/recertification hours.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to use as professional development/recertification hours.
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Talent Development Executive Certificate and digital badge.
Talent Development Executive Certificate and digital badge.
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* Note: The University of Pennsylvania does not accept ATD CEUs as credit toward its university programs.
*Note: The University of Pennsylvania does not accept ATD CEUs as credit toward its university programs.
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Learning Objectives
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As a result of this program, you will be positioned to:
As a result of this program, you will be positioned to:
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Lead and manage an enterprise talent or learning development organization, department, or function using communication, leadership, emotional intelligence, and decision-making skills to support the business, influence stakeholders, provide feedback, and coach team members.
Lead and manage an enterprise talent or learning development organization, department, or function using communication, leadership, emotional intelligence, and decision-making skills to support the business, influence stakeholders, provide feedback, and coach team members.
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Lead and support organizational learning and development by integrating policies, facilitating strategic discussions, and strategically sponsoring talent development initiatives in alignment with the overall talent and business strategy.
Lead and support organizational learning and development by integrating policies, facilitating strategic discussions, and strategically sponsoring talent development initiatives in alignment with the overall talent and business strategy.
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Optimize learning outcomes by effectively leveraging learning science, evaluating the impact of learning, and designing a learning experience that prioritizes the learner experience.
Optimize learning outcomes by effectively leveraging learning science, evaluating the impact of learning, and designing a learning experience that prioritizes the learner experience.
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Strategically leverage emerging learning technologies and integrate them into the organization’s business strategy to increase efficiency, reduce cost and time, and support the learning and talent strategy by managing the technology ecosystem effectively.
Strategically leverage emerging learning technologies and integrate them into the organization’s business strategy to increase efficiency, reduce cost and time, and support the learning and talent strategy by managing the technology ecosystem effectively.
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Assess organizational talent development requirements, align TD initiatives with talent strategy, and develop and implement a knowledge management strategy to enhance employee performance and business outcomes.
Assess organizational talent development requirements, align TD initiatives with talent strategy, and develop and implement a knowledge management strategy to enhance employee performance and business outcomes.
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Develop, communicate, and execute a talent strategy that aligns with the overall business strategy, fosters a culture of innovation and learning agility, and generates measurable business outcomes.
Develop, communicate, and execute a talent strategy that aligns with the overall business strategy, fosters a culture of innovation and learning agility, and generates measurable business outcomes.
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Who Should Attend
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This program is ideal for high-potential senior talent and workplace learning leaders, including those preparing for C-suite roles, who are seeking to elevate their leadership capabilities and strategic impact. You will gain advanced skills, frameworks, and insights to position yourself as a key driver of organizational success, navigate today's complex challenges, optimize the talent function, and create lasting value.
This program is ideal for high-potential senior talent and workplace learning leaders, including those preparing for C-suite roles, who are seeking to elevate their leadership capabilities and strategic impact. You will gain advanced skills, frameworks, and insights to position yourself as a key driver of organizational success, navigate today's complex challenges, optimize the talent function, and create lasting value.
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Program Structure
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The virtual, cohort-based course is designed for sustained learning and application, covering six core topics. Participants should anticipate spending three to five hours a week between asynchronous coursework and attending live online sessions.
The virtual, cohort-based course is designed for sustained learning and application, covering six core topics. Participants should anticipate spending three to five hours a week between asynchronous coursework and attending live online sessions.
Self-Paced
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Asynchronous work may include articles, case studies, videos, peer discussion boards, practical real-world assignments, and more.
Asynchronous work may include articles, case studies, videos, peer discussion boards, practical real-world assignments, and more.
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Examples of assignments could include:
Examples of assignments could include:
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Preparing a learning strategy presentation for senior leaders.
Preparing a learning strategy presentation for senior leaders.
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Developing a change plan based on a case study.
Developing a change plan based on a case study.
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Enhancing a learning program using scalable technologies.
Enhancing a learning program using scalable technologies.
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Leveraging people analytics to identify learning needs and drive outcomes.
Leveraging people analytics to identify learning needs and drive outcomes.
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Creating a strategy to integrate AI into skill-building programs.
Creating a strategy to integrate AI into skill-building programs.
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Developing an investment proposal with a clear ROI for a learning program.
Developing an investment proposal with a clear ROI for a learning program.
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Live Online
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Expert faculty lead a two-hour, live online session on Zoom each week. There are 19 live online sessions in total over the course of the five-month program.
Expert faculty lead a two-hour, live online session on Zoom each week. There are 19 live online sessions in total over the course of the five-month program.
In-Person Event (Optional)
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Each course includes one optional in-person event with supplemental content from experts in the field and an opportunity to network with peers from your cohort and previous cohorts.
Each course includes one optional in-person event with supplemental content from experts in the field and an opportunity to network with peers from your cohort and previous cohorts.
Schedule
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Attendees will develop a strong network of peers through ongoing collaboration during the course and an optional in-person gathering. The learning experience incorporates global scenarios and perspectives to ensure maximum relevance for the vast interconnected global community of TD leaders.
Attendees will develop a strong network of peers through ongoing collaboration during the course and an optional in-person gathering. The learning experience incorporates global scenarios and perspectives to ensure maximum relevance for the vast interconnected global community of TD leaders.
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Find an upcoming cohort and register today to save your spot!
Find an upcoming cohort and register today to save your spot!
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Cohort 4, July 6, 2026 – November 22, 2026
Cohort 4, July 6, 2026 – November 22, 2026
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Live Online sessions for Cohort 4 are hosted weekly on Wednesdays*.
Live Online sessions for Cohort 4 are hosted weekly on Wednesdays*.
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View the full schedule for Cohort 4 .
View the full schedule for Cohort 4.
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*No class Aug. 26.
*No class Aug. 26.
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Optional in-person event August 28, 2026, at Penn GSE, Philadelphia, PA.
Optional in-person event August 28, 2026, at Penn GSE, Philadelphia, PA.
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Program Fees
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ATD Member: $7,225
ATD Member: $7,225
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ATD Nonmember: $8,500
ATD Nonmember: $8,500
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Special Discounts:
Special Discounts:
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CTDO or Forum Member: $6,800
CTDO or Forum Member: $6,800
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Penn Alumni or Employee: $7,225
Penn Alumni or Employee: $7,225
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Government Employee Member: $6,800
Government Employee Member: $6,800
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Government Employee Nonmember: $8,075
Government Employee Nonmember: $8,075
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Core Leadership Pillars
Offered in a virtual format, this cohort-based program highlights six topical areas over a five-month period.
Program Faculty
Expert Penn faculty members and senior talent development practitioners will facilitate learning, provide guidance, and foster knowledge sharing and community building among the cohort.
Sharon M. Ravitch, PhD
Sharon M. Ravitch is a professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. Sharon has published eight books: Leadership Mindsets for Adaptive Change: The Flux...
Dr. Ann E. Schulte
As the Global Leader of Learning and Leadership Development at Procter & Gamble, Ann Schulte had global responsibility to support the capability development of all employees across regional, functional, and...
Dr. Zachary Herrmann
Dr. Zachary Herrmann serves as a member of the professional faculty at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and oversees several strategic projects. Dr. Herrmann’s areas of interest...
Dr. Mark A. Kaestner
Dr. Mark Kaestner is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in talent management, learning and development, and fostering inclusive workplace cultures. He currently serves as Vice President...
Dr. Raghu Krishnamoorthy
Dr. Raghu Krishnamoorthy is a Senior Fellow and Director of the University of Pennsylvania's acclaimed Chief Learning Officer doctoral program.
Dr. Krishnamoorthy worked as an executive, with 38 years of...
Jonathan Halls
Jonathan Halls is an award-winning author & was recently named by GFEL in the top 100 Visionaries for Education in 2021. His books include Confessions of a Corporate Trainer:...
Patti Phillips, Ph.D., CPTD
Patti P. Phillips, PhD, CPTD is CEO of ROI Institute and has been a driving force in the global adoption of the ROI Methodology®. Her work as an educator, researcher,...
Julio Zelaya
Julio Zelaya is a distinguished international thought leader and bilingual speaker specializing in digital transformation, educational technology, and organizational learning. His expertise spans emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence in education,...
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This program is intended for leaders at the manager level and above. If you meet this requirement, fill out the form below to speak with a member of our team to complete your registration.