Whether you’re looking to change direction, launch a new project, shape your community or simply live a more creative and purposeful life, the Executive Program in Social Innovation Design will start you on the road towards meaning and impact.

This innovative 7-month executive program from the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design and the Center for Social Impact Strategy (CSIS) at the School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) lets you learn at your own pace and fits into your life. The program offers learning through online courses while providing opportunities to create community and apply skills in an independent project. Learn about the nuts and bolts of human-centered design, community needs assessment, performance measurement and mobilization strategy.

Few programs combine rigorous training in design with strategy tools for social impact. This program integrates these two distinct but complementary subjects.

Who is this
program for?

It is for design professionals who want to utilize their skill set for positive change but aren't sure where to start.

It is for professionals working in mission-driven organizations but need design tools to achieve their goals.

It is for those seeking purpose and meaning at the intersection of work and values.

The Executive Program for Social Innovation Design (XSD)

This is a place for budding social innovators who want to take the first steps to identify a social problem, imagine innovative and sustainable solutions, and learn the tools to prototype and implement their ideas.

It is for:

— Designers
— Architects
— Urban planners
— Landscape architects
— Business professionals
— Nonprofit workers
— Government agency staffers

Executive program for social innovation design

goals

Learn to move effectively between defining problems, designing solutions and piloting new approaches.
Connect with a fascinating and diverse community of creative problem solvers poised to make a difference.
Explore and test your ideas and move them towards reality.
Discover new frameworks and business models.
Build creativity and purpose into your daily work.

“XSD was tough, but extremely fulfilling. It taught me that I can make social impact in the world today and brought me together with a group of people who share the same goal.”

— Andrew Tolentino, XSD 2019 student

2022 Program Overview

Our format lets you learn at your own pace plus includes opportunities to create a community. Full program tuition is $5750, with a $600 discount applied to early applicants. The program is seven months long and begins on September 12, 2022

ONLINE CORE COURSES (required)

Design Thinking For Social Innovation (8 weeks)

Engagement for Impact (3 weeks)

XSD FALL SUMMIT (required)

On-campus Convening Event (required) (October 27, 28, 29)

ONLINE INDEPENDENT STUDIO PROJECT (required)

Define, Design, Pilot

ONLINE ELECTIVES (two required)

Self & Society (3 weeks)

Business Models (3 weeks)

Digital Media for Social Movements (3 weeks)

Mobilizing People (3 weeks)

Performance Management (3 weeks)

XSD VISION DAY (optional)

Online Event (February 10, 2023)

Core Faculty

Sarah Rottenberg,Faculty Director, XSD

Sarah is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design and the Executive Director of the Integrated Product Design Program, a master's program at Penn that brings together design, business, and engineering. She also works as a consultant to corporate clients, training teams in design research methodologies and facilitating strategic product and business design sessions and teaches Design Thinking for Wharton Executive Education.

Julie Donofrio

Julie is the Managing Director of PennPraxis, the center for applied research, engagement and practice at the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design, where she leads projects focused on community engagement, capacity building, evaluation, and neighborhood planning. Julie also teaches in the Department of City and Regional Planning, including first-year studio “Planning Workshop,” and Social Impact in Practice, focused on building skills and context for community engagement.

Kaveh Sadeghian

Kaveh develops transformative educational experiences for mission-driven leaders using trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and equity-centered pedagogies. Kaveh has trained academic and industry innovators, and designed online programs. Currently, Kaveh is a Lead Strategist at 2U, where he directs the company’s learning strategy for undergraduate programs. Prior to 2U, Kaveh helped create Penn’s Center for Social Impact Strategy and served as its Creative Director. He continues his work at Penn as an Adjunct Professor, where he teaches courses on design-thinking, social innovation, and social impact strategy.

Important Program Dates

Jul 1

Early Application Deadline

Aug 1

Regular Application Deadline

Want to learn more? Ways to connect with us:

Join our live info session
On Zoom
Wednesday, July 27, 4:00pm (eastern time)
Featuring a panel of XSD faculty and alumni. Learn more and ask questions!
Register Now

Watch our XSD ALUMNI TALK
This recording is a great way to get a sense of the experience from those who completed the program

Watch our XSD Info Session

This recording provides an overview of the program and answers lots of questions

Schedule a one:one call with us
You can schedule a call at this link: https://calendly.com/xsd/xsd-2022-2023-cohort-general-info

Email us at xsd@design.upenn.edu

University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design + School of Social Policy & Practice

Join us to imagine and design a better future for the community you care most about.

Executive program for social innovation design

goals

“XSD was tough, but extremely fulfilling. It taught me that I can make social impact in the world today and brought me together with a group of people who share the same goal.”