Total Courses
3 required coursesCEUs | Contact Hours
9 CEUs | 90 HoursCost
$3,735Format
Fully onlineTime to Complete
5–6 months-
Funding Resources
Build Custom Digital Applications and Automated Workflows to Streamline Operations
Professionals often spot operational inefficiencies but lack programming background or IT resources to fix them. The AI-Powered Automation and App Design Certificate helps working professionals bridge this gap by teaching them to design secure automation pipelines and build custom, functional software solutions. Participants learn to analyze their departmental workflows and use AI as a collaborative development partner to solve real-world challenges.
With no prior coding experience required, learners build practical skills through a sequential, hands-on curriculum. You will progress from setting up basic automations to directing AI in building advanced tools and connecting secure workflows across organizational systems. Responsible AI use, transferable platform-agnostic frameworks and organizational data governance are integrated throughout, ensuring you learn how to safely protect and manage sensitive data.
The University of Minnesota’s AI-Powered Automation and App Design Certificate provides a structured approach to identifying opportunities for AI integration and supporting adoption across teams and workflows. You can complete the full certificate or take courses individually.
What You'll Learn
- Build custom applications and automations that solve distinct operational challenges and improve operational efficiency.
- Design clear functional specifications that break down complex business problems into structured, manageable components.
- Evaluate project requirements to determine when to build a custom tool, configure existing systems or seek external technical support.
- Identify high-impact opportunities for workflow improvement and explain AI capabilities and limitations to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
- Troubleshoot and resolve minor technical setbacks systematically to keep projects moving forward without stalling.
- Apply responsible AI use principles by implementing data privacy standards and governance guardrails to protect sensitive organizational information.
Who Should Enroll?
The AI-Powered Automation and App Design Certificate is designed for professionals across all industries who want to transition from passively using AI to actively building with it. This program is ideal for individuals who understand their department's unique workflows and want to improve operational efficiency without relying on IT or engineering teams. No prior coding experience is required; learners simply bring their domain expertise and real-world business challenges to learn through hands-on building.
AI-Powered Automation and App Design Courses
If you're new to AI automation, we recommend you take all three courses in this order: Automations with AI, Agentic Development and Building Connected Workflows.
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Multiweek CourseAutomations with AI
Create practical automations and apply AI solutions to support workflow improvement, systematically troubleshoot process errors, and manage data sensitivity.Next start date:- Jan. 25–Mar. 7, 2027 | Thurs. 6:00-7:30 pm | Instructor Led Online
$1245.00 | 30.0 hours -
Multiweek CourseAgentic Development
Design multi-component applications using AI-powered environments, connect external data and run local AI solutions to secure sensitive department data.Next start date:- March 22–May 2, 2027 | Thurs. 6:00-7:30 pm | Instructor Led Online
$1245.00 | 30.0 hours -
Multiweek CourseBuilding Connected Workflows
Plan, build and document secure, automated workflows that connect multiple data sources, streamline operations and align with strict governance frameworks.Next start date:- May 17–June 27, 2027 | Thurs. 6:00-7:30 pm | Instructor Led Online
$1245.00 | 30.0 hours
Online Format
Each week includes a live Zoom session where participants discuss course concepts, ask questions and workshop assignments and projects together. These interactive, online sessions provide opportunities to learn from peers, receive personalized guidance from the instructor and apply new skills in a collaborative environment.
Outside of the live sessions, participants complete coursework independently on their own schedule. Depending on the course, this may include recorded video lectures, readings, discussion posts and projects. Weekly deadlines help learners stay on track throughout the program.
Career Outlook
Funding and Discounts
The University of Minnesota's professional development programs are affordable because they can be completed in relatively short order — sometimes within a few months — which can save you both time and money. What's more, there are other opportunities you can explore to potentially bring the cost down even further.
Funding
- CCAPS offers scholarships of $500 to $5,000 to Minnesota residents who meet eligibility requirements.
- If you're not employed, you may be able to take advantage of federal or state funding. Contact your CareerForce center to inquire.
- Your organization may have funds set aside for employee education. Read about the benefits of employer investment in career development.
Discounts
- When you register and pay for all courses in the certificate at once, you'll receive up to a 10% discount.
- University of Minnesota Alumni Association members receive a 10% discount.
- UMN staff get 50% off most professional development programs.
See Discounts, Scholarships and Other Funding for more information and possible exclusions to discounts.
Enroll
The cost of the AI-Powered Automation and App Design Certificate is $3,735. But if you register and pay for all courses at once, we'll give you a 10% discount!
If you are registering multiple people from your organization, use this form. (See available discounts.)
If you have questions about the registration process or payment options, or you need to transfer or cancel your registration, feel free to contact the registration team:
Option 2
Enroll in Certificate Now
Register and Pay for Courses Later
- UMN employees: choose this option to receive your discount
Connect with Us
We can help you choose which professional development programs are the best fit to meet your career goals. We are here to answer your questions regarding specific programs, courses, or other career topics you have on your mind.
Don’t hesitate to send us an email. We're here for YOU!
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Stories From the Field
Frequently Asked Questions
What roles would be a good fit for this program?
This certificate is highly beneficial for:
- Product managers: Build functional prototypes and minimum viable products (MVPs) to test ideas and gather user feedback rapidly.
- Business analysts: Develop custom applications to streamline processes, such as digital intake forms, automated dashboards and data pipelines.
- Financial analysts: Automate data collection and build interactive dashboards to move beyond the limitations of spreadsheet software.
- Marketing and sales operations specialists: Build automated tools for lead scoring, campaign workflows and key metric tracking.
- Educators and instructional designers: Create custom educational applications and interactive modules tailored to specific curricula.
- Operations managers and coordinators: Automate repetitive reporting, file management and daily coordination tasks to save hours of manual effort.
- Data analysts and researchers: Automate data querying and cleaning across systems to free up time for in-depth analysis.
- Entrepreneurs and business owners: Build initial versions of web or mobile applications to reduce development costs and get to market faster.
How does this certificate differ from a traditional coding bootcamp or software engineering program?
Traditional software engineering programs focus heavily on writing raw code and learning complex programming languages from scratch. In contrast, the AI-Powered Automation and App Design Certificate prioritizes strategic design, user experience and rapid deployment. You will learn how to use existing AI tools and visual builders to solve immediate business problems quickly, securely and cost-effectively without the steep learning curve of traditional software development. You do not need to no how to code in order to take this certificate.
Do I need to purchase software or have a high-powered computer for these courses?
No. You do not need specialized hardware or costly software subscriptions. The courses use widely available, cloud-based low-code platforms and AI-assisted design tools that you can access through a standard web browser. Any platforms used during the program are either free to access or provided through the course materials.
How much time should I expect to spend on coursework each week?
Most working professionals spend about five hours per week on coursework. The program is designed for adult learners managing full-time jobs and personal commitments. Because you can complete the full AI-Powered Automation and App Design Certificate or take courses individually, you can easily set a pace that matches your current schedule.
Can I apply the automation projects I build in class directly to my current job?
Yes. The curriculum is highly practical and encourages you to use real-world challenges from your current workplace as the basis for class projects. Many learners design automated workflows, simple internal applications or data-transfer pipelines during the program that they can immediately deploy to improve operational efficiency in their daily roles.
Do employers offer tuition reimbursement for AI-powered automation and app design training?
Yes. Many organizations provide reimbursement for professional development that enhances business operations. Because this certificate focuses on using AI-powered tools to automate workflows, build custom applications and solve workplace challenges, it is a strong candidate for employer funding. By building skills that can streamline processes, reduce repetitive work and improve how work gets done, you can demonstrate clear business value and ROI to your leadership team.
Are the courses taught by industry professionals with on-the-ground experience?
Our instructors are industry professionals with extensive experience in the areas they teach. Many have years, and sometimes decades, of practical experience and use real-world case studies and examples to enrich the learning experience.
Are professional development courses offered online?
Yes. All of our professional development courses are offered online, so you can build new skills and connect with instructors and classmates from wherever you are.
Will I earn a credential?
Yes. Learners who complete all required courses will earn an AI-Powered Automation and App Design Certificate from the University of Minnesota. In addition, participants will receive a digital badge that can be shared on LinkedIn, professional profiles and resumes to showcase their commitment and achievement.
Can organizations enroll teams in this certificate together?
Yes. The AI-Powered Automation and App Design Certificate can help teams build shared capabilities for using AI-powered tools to improve workflows and solve business challenges. Organizations can use the course sequence to develop a common understanding of AI-assisted development, identify opportunities for automation and build practical solutions that address needs across teams and functions. Learn more on our Workforce Development website.
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