Elon AI Certificate for Professionals

The AI Certificate for Professionals is designed for working adults (specifically Elon Alumni) who want to understand and apply AI in their careers—no technical background required. Participants from all fields are encouraged to participate.

No application required—registration is open to all adult learners on a first-come, first-served basis.

All sessions are live and online, with interactive activities and breakout discussions. You’ll also have access to digital resources, recordings, and templates in Elon’s learning platform.

The benefit of this certificate is the live interaction with faculty and participants. To earn the certificate, participants must attend at least 70% of each module and complete all assigned work. Participants who miss more than 30% of any module or fail to submit required assignments will not be eligible for certification. Meeting all program requirements, including attendance and assignment completion, is the sole responsibility of the participant. Elon NEXT policies and standards apply to all learners.

January 12–28, 2026, with live evening sessions between 6:00–9:00 PM EST. Classes are held at the following schedule:

Module 1 (3 Hours Total). This is a 3-hour module, which will be offered three times. Learners will select only one session to attend. We are offering flexible attendance for this module.

January 12, 2026, from 6:00 – 9:00pm EST
January 14, 2026, from 6:00 – 9:00pm EST
January 16, 2026, from 6:00 – 9:00pm EST

Module 2 (5 Hours Total). This is a 5-hour course. Learners will have two class meetings with the experts. All learners should attend the following dates and times.

January 20, 2026, from 6:00 – 8:30pm EST
January 21, 2026, from 6:00 – 8:30pm EST

Module 3 (8 Hours Total). This is an 8-hour advanced AI course. Learners will attend the following dates and times.

January 26, 2026, from 6:00 – 9:00pm EST (3 hours)
January 27, 2026, from 6:00 – 9:00pm EST (3 hours)
January 28, 2026, from 6:00 – 8:00pm EST (2 hours)

Yes! Elon alumni receive 20% off the certificate. Make sure to use code ‘alumni20’ when registering.

This is a non-credit bearing professional certificate, focused on career development. Graduates receive a digital badge and certificate that can be shared on LinkedIn or a résumé.

There are no traditional grades. Participants complete hands-on projects and a Capstone project, receiving faculty feedback and a certificate upon successful completion.

Yes. Many organizations support professional development. This guide provides key details to help you make the case and highlight the program’s value to your organization/supervisor.
Elon NEXT AI Certificate for Professionals Employer Pitch Sheet and Draft Email

Registration closes when the cohort fills or by January 5, 2026—whichever comes first. If registration capacity is met, you can register to be on a waiting list, and seats will be offered as available, on a first-come, first-served basis.

• You can receive a full refund if requested by December 17, 2025, or later if your seat is filled from the waitlist.
• 50% refund if your seat isn’t filled and you request by January 5, 2026.
• Seat transfers to a colleague are allowed through January 7, 2026.
• No refunds or transfers after January 7, 2026.
• If you cannot finish the course, you may continue the course within one year or when it’s next offered.
• All refund or transfer requests must be emailed to next@elon.edu.

Following completion, you’ll receive a physical certificate as well as a digital certificate and credential badge. You can easily share the digital certificate on your LinkedIn profile and include it in your professional bio or résumé.

Please reach out to next@elon.edu and we will be happy to answer any questions.

This certificate course has been specifically built for external audiences, especially Elon Alumni. Please review other Elon NEXT course offerings that are open to faculty and staff on next.elon.edu. There is an AI course currently available for faculty and staff.