This specialization helps graduate students, postdocs, and advanced degree holders take a strategic approach to professional development and career planning. Through four focused courses—on Individual Development Plans (IDPs), transferable skills, networking, and communicating with diverse audiences—you’ll build the mindset and tools needed to grow your career with purpose. Whether you’re pursuing academia, industry, or something in between, you’ll gain the confidence and clarity to navigate your next steps.
Accelerate: Professional Development with an Advanced Degree Specialization
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Accelerate: Professional Development with an Advanced Degree Specialization
Take Control of Your Professional Development. Learn strategic planning, networking, communication, and more
Included with 
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
Beginner level
Recommended experience
1 month at 5 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Earn a career credential
Share your expertise with employers
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
Beginner level
Recommended experience
1 month at 5 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Earn a career credential
Share your expertise with employers
What you'll learn
Create a strategic Individual Development Plan (IDP) to align your skills, goals, and values.
Identify and communicate your transferable skills for academic and non-academic career paths.
Build meaningful professional connections and communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
Overview
Skills you'll gain
- Planning
- Collaboration
- Project Management
- Communication
- Public Speaking
- Strategic Planning
- Self-Awareness
- Professional Development
- Communication Strategies
- Cultural Diversity
- Storytelling
- Leadership
- Empathy
- Persuasive Communication
- Professional Networking
- Verbal Communication Skills
- Intercultural Competence
- Time Management
- Goal Setting
- Smart Goals
What’s included
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Taught in English
Recently updated!
June 2025
27 practice exercises
Advance your subject-matter expertise
- Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
- Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
- Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
- Earn a career certificate from University of Minnesota
Specialization - 4 course series
What you'll learn
Skills you'll gain
Category: Goal Setting
Category: Accountability
Category: Planning
Category: Adaptability
Category: Professional Development
Category: Constructive Feedback
Category: Self-Awareness
Category: Mentorship
Category: Strategic Thinking
Category: Time Management
Category: Strategic Planning
Category: Action Oriented
Category: Personal Development
Category: Timelines
Category: Smart Goals
What you'll learn
Skills you'll gain
Category: Leadership
Category: Project Management
Category: Intercultural Competence
Category: Cultural Diversity
Category: Adaptability
Category: Self-Awareness
Category: Communication Strategies
Category: Personal Development
Category: Collaboration
Category: Professional Development
Category: Emotional Intelligence
Category: Goal Setting
What you'll learn
Understand the importance of networking in academic and career growth.
Learn strategies for building and maintaining a professional network tailored to your academic and career goals.
Create a personal networking plan that aligns with your academic and professional goals.
Skills you'll gain
Category: Professional Networking
Category: General Networking
Category: Relationship Building
Category: Interviewing Skills
Category: Stress Management
Category: Communication Strategies
Category: Verbal Communication Skills
Category: Public Speaking
Category: Emotional Intelligence
Category: Smart Goals
Category: Rapport Building
Category: Communication
Category: Professional Development
What you'll learn
Skills you'll gain
Category: Communication Strategies
Category: Communication
Category: Persuasive Communication
Category: Public Speaking
Category: Verbal Communication Skills
Category: Empathy
Category: Storytelling
Category: Non-Verbal Communication
Category: Diversity Awareness
Category: Cultural Diversity
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
Instructor
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Frequently asked questions
We recommend that you take one week to complete each course, so it would take a month to complete this Specialization at a comfortable pace.
This specialization is designed for graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and advanced degree holders across disciplines. No prior knowledge of career development frameworks is required—just a desire to take a strategic approach to your professional growth.
We recommend starting with the Individual Development Plan (IDP) course, as it provides a foundation for the rest of the specialization. However, the other courses can be taken in any order based on your interests and goals.
More questions
Financial aid available,