What You'll Learn

Artificial intelligence and data-rich environments are transforming how people learn, work, and solve problems. Educational institutions increasingly seek professionals who can leverage emerging technologies, interpret learning data, and create meaningful educational experiences that improve outcomes for diverse learners.

Through the University of Colorado Denver Data-Rich STEM Learning Design certificate, you’ll explore how learning design, data, artificial intelligence, and STEM education work together to support educational improvement and student achievement. You'll develop expertise in technology-enhanced teaching and learning while examining how innovation, equity, and data shape the future of education.

Graduates will be prepared to:

• Analyze and use data to improve teaching, learning, and educational decision-making.
• Evaluate opportunities and challenges associated with artificial intelligence in education.
• Design equitable and engaging STEM learning experiences.
• Apply learning design principles to create meaningful educational experiences across diverse contexts.
• Examine the social, cultural, and ethical dimensions of data and technology use.
• Incorporate community-centered approaches into STEM teaching and learning.
• Evaluate emerging trends in science and mathematics education.
• Lead innovation initiatives that support educational improvement and student success.

These skills are increasingly valuable for professionals working in educational technology, instructional innovation, STEM workforce development, and learning experience design.

Ideal For: Educators, instructional leaders, STEM professionals, learning designers, curriculum specialists, faculty members, and professionals interested in educational technology, artificial intelligence, and STEM innovation.

Applicable Degree Pathways: MA in STEM Education, MA in Learning Design and Technology, and EdD with a concentration in STEM Education or Learning Design.

Career Outcomes

This certificate prepares graduates to lead and innovate across educational settings. Alumni may advance into roles such as STEM instructional coach, curriculum specialist, learning experience designer, instructional designer, educational technology specialist, or faculty developer. Others may take on leadership positions guiding STEM programs, professional learning initiatives, community partnerships, curriculum innovation, and district-wide transformation efforts. With growing demand for professionals who can connect data, artificial intelligence, and learning design to improved educational outcomes, graduates are equipped to contribute across K-12 schools, higher education institutions, nonprofits, and workforce development organizations.

Curriculum

Required Courses

• INTE 5750 – AI-Enhanced Pedagogy: Rethinking Learning and Teaching with AI
• STME 6/7020 – Power of Data

Elective Courses (Choose Two)

• MTED 5/7070 – (Re)Humanizing the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics
• SCED 5350 – Issues and Trends in Science Education
• STME 6/7110 – Science and Math Curriculum Studies
• STME 6/7010 – Community Engaged STEM Leadership
• STME 6/7030 – Decolonizing STEM Spaces: Beyond Equity and Access
• INTE 5/7360 – Critical Digital Pedagogy
• INTE 5/7140 – Transforming Learning Design: Integrating Design Justice Principles

Stack Your Certificate into a Graduate Degree

Your learning journey does not have to stop with a certificate. This offering is part of CU Denver's flexible stackable graduate pathway, allowing you to earn a valuable credential now and continue toward a master's degree when you're ready.

Certificate coursework may be applied toward CU Denver's MA in Learning Design & Technology, MA in STEM Education, or an EdD with a concentration in STEM Education or Learning Design.

This approach allows you to earn credentials with immediate professional value while building toward long term academic and career goals.

Faculty Expertise

Learn from world-renowned faculty whose work spans STEM education, learning design, educational technology, artificial intelligence, curriculum innovation, data-informed instruction, equity-focused teaching, mathematics education, science education, and community-engaged learning.

Faculty members combine research, professional practice, and real-world experience to help students connect theory to action. Their expertise prepares graduates to navigate the opportunities and challenges emerging at the intersection of STEM, technology, data, and education while applying research-informed teaching practices to real-world settings.

Why CU Denver?

At CU Denver, you'll join a community of educators, innovators, and leaders committed to expanding opportunities through education. The School of Education & Human Development prepares professionals who create positive change in classrooms, schools, organizations, and communities. Through flexible online programs, expert faculty mentorship, and applied learning experiences, you'll develop skills that advance STEM education innovation, strengthen instructional leadership, and support meaningful educational outcomes.

Current Degree Seeking Students: Degree-seeking students may reach out to their faculty advisors about the potential of adding the certificate to their degree program. Degree-seeking students who wish to add a certificate pay the same tuition rate as students who are obtaining online degrees.