Jump to specific section to learn more about our online course policies & procedures:
Our participants report that they learn and sustain change better when enrolling in a Darden course with others from their organizations. We support team learning with a 10% tuition reduction for groups of ten (10) or more. Email us for approval and pricing.
How long will I have access to course materials?
Each of the four courses is designed to run for five (5) weeks. We leave each course open for a full ten (10) weeks. Once a course is closed, you will not be able to access our lectures and course materials, information pages, or assignments (including peer feedback). You may continue to access your network, submissions, discussions, conversations, and team workspace in archive mode (no new posts or comments) for up to six (6) months.
When will I be able to access course materials?
Once the course begins, you will be able to access course materials as they’re released.
I love the videos in this program and would like to download them to share with a few colleagues. Is that okay?
We’re glad you find the videos useful; we think they’re pretty great too! However, course materials, including video, are for use in the course only. Downloading videos is not permitted. Instead, encourage your colleagues to enroll in the course to scale the experience across your organization or email us about creating a learning initiative exclusively for your organization.
What if I need to cancel my enrollment in a course?
If you must cancel your enrollment, you must do so within seven (7) calendar days of the course start date. Please email us with the name of the course, followed by “cancellation” in the subject line. If you cancel or withdraw within seven (7) days of the start date, you will be refunded 100% of your tuition. No refunds will be permitted after the first seven (7) days of the course.
If you prefer, you may transfer to one subsequent course offered within one year, if available. Email us with the name of the course, followed by “transfer” in the subject line. This request must be made within seven (7) calendar days after the original course start date.
I signed up for a course, but now I can’t take it. Can one of my colleagues take my place?
Unfortunately, a substitute cannot take your place. If the course has not yet started, you may request a cancellation or transfer (see question above).
English is not my first language. May I still enroll in this course?
Of course! Please be aware that all course materials and related discussions are in English. Generally, successful completion of other courses in English or a score of 90 or higher on the TOEFL (7.0 or higher on the IELTS Academic) indicates that you can participate successfully in our courses.
Are there any prerequisites for enrolling in the course?
You must take and complete Design Thinking Part I before Design Thinking Part II, and you may not take them concurrently. There are no other prerequisites.
Can I earn academic credit for this course?
While you’ll gain valuable knowledge and skills, the course does not result in academic credit or lead to a degree. You may apply your successful completion of this course towards a Specialization that demonstrates your applied skill in this area of study.
I’ve never taken an online course before. How should I prepare?
You don’t need to do anything special to get ready for an online course – just access to a computer and the internet. The learning platform is intuitive and includes tutorials to help you get started. You will get a welcome email from NovoEd.com with your login details. We will also send out weekly email communications, which will guide you to successful completion.
How can I prepare to get the most out of this course?
Because this is an applied learning course, please come prepared with a project or problem in mind to apply the course content toward resolving. We recommend setting aside at least five (5) hours per week to put towards the course and your project.
How do I register?
Fill out a brief registration form directly on our site and submit payment at time of registration.
How do I pay? Do I need to pay immediately? Do you accept credit cards?
Payment is due upon registration. Payment is accepted online from American Express, MasterCard and Visa. Groups of 10 or more may email us for payment options.
What happens after I register?
After we receive your registration, you will receive an email confirmation. One to two weeks before the course start date, you will receive a welcome email from NovoEd.com with login details.
What is the registration deadline?
Registration for each course closes on the course start date.
Is financial aid available?
We do not currently offer financial aid for our online programs.
What exactly is a specialization?
A specialization is a targeted group of courses designed to deepen—and demonstrate—your knowledge, expertise and skills in a specific subject.
How do I earn a specialization?
You will need to successfully complete all courses in the series. See here for more specific details about the required courses. Requirements for Statement of Accomplishment are listed within each course. To receive your Specialization in Design Thinking and Innovation, you must email updated contact information during your final course.
Can I take classes without committing to the specialization? Can I decide whether to complete or commit to the specialization after taking a course?
Yes! You may sign up for a course without committing to the specialization and then later have that course count towards the specialization (as long as you complete it successfully).
How long do I have to complete a specialization?
The Specialization in Design Thinking and Innovation is designed to be completed within one year. As long as program dates are published, you are welcome to continue to work on your specialization.
How frequently are courses offered?
The courses are generally offered four times per year. Please check our Course Calendar for the most current information.
I completed the courses successfully. When do I get my specialization?
Once you’ve completed all courses in the program, updated your contact information, and we have completed the specialization verification process, you will receive your Specialization in Design Thinking and Innovation in the mail.
What kind of computer do I need to participate?
Please see our learning platform guidelines for details.
Can I take this course on my mobile device?
Yes. All of our courses are mobile-friendly. Please see our learning platform guidelines for more information.