Program Overview:
Students who earn this badge will complete a four-module course introducing the basics of coding, software development, and data visualization. Designed for students with all levels of experience, this course covers simple Python programming, how software is created and improved over time, and how to make data easy to understand with charts and graphs. Badge earners will learn through readings, videos, and quizzes and completing practice programming activities to build a strong foundation in coding and data skills. This course helps students prepare for future studies or careers in technology, engineering, or related fields. 

This course is accessible to a student with no coding background or a student with programming experience in a language other than Python; the content will be all review for a student who has taken 6 months or more of Python coding.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: 

• Explain how simple coding and software development processes can help create apps or programs that solve everyday problems 
• Demonstrate how to organize and clean data to make it easier to understand and find patterns or trends 
• Identify basic data types and data structures to create simple program 

Featured Faculty:
Dr. Yizhen Zhao earned a PhD in economics from Johns Hopkins University, where she specialized in time-series econometrics and finance. She is also an adjunct faculty member at Northeastern University, where she teaches Machine Learning in Finance class. She brings her Wall Street experience to class, which has given her a solid foundation in quantitative finance, machine learning modeling, programming, statistics, and asset pricing. Her Wall Street experience also included both sell-side and buy-side finance, focusing on equity investments, high-frequency trading, and machine learning. Dr. Zhao sees teaching as her way of giving back to the world, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. She is now expanding her research and teaching into blockchain technologies. 

Program Overview:
Students who earn this badge will complete a four-module course exploring the healthcare industry, career pathways, and essential healthcare concepts. Designed for students of all experience levels, the course covers healthcare systems, patient care roles, public health and medical innovations, and the business of healthcare. Badge earners learn through readings, videos, quizzes, and interactive activities to develop a foundational understanding of healthcare professions and industry trends. This course helps students prepare for future studies or careers in medicine, public health, allied health professions, healthcare administration, and related fields. 

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: 

• Explain how healthcare systems function and identify key career pathways in clinical, administrative, and public health fields 
• Demonstrate knowledge of patient care roles, including their responsibilities, required skills, and ethical considerations 
• Analyze how public health initiatives, medical technology, and innovations impact healthcare delivery and patient outcomes 
• Recognize the role of healthcare administration, policies, and financial structures in managing healthcare organizations 

Featured Faculty:
Gary Young, Ph.D., J.D., is professor of strategic management and healthcare systems, Northeastern University. His research and teaching covers healthcare policy and law, healthcare management, and business strategy. He is the Chair of the International Business and Strategy unit at Northeastern University’s School of Business and the founding Director of the Center for Health Policy and Healthcare Research. This interdisciplinary center fosters collaboration across Northeastern’s colleges and schools, including law, business, engineering, computer science, and health sciences. Under Gary Young’s leadership, the Center has secured over $7 million in research funding and launched innovative academic and corporate programs.

Gary has held numerous leadership positions including Chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management at Boston University. His work experience also includes positions with the federal government and an international healthcare policy consulting firm. With an extensive research portfolio featuring over 150 peer-reviewed publications, he has made significant contributions to healthcare systems research, organizational strategy, and policy development. Gary Young’s career reflects a commitment to advancing the integration of academic rigor and practical solutions in health policy and business strategy.

Program Overview:
In this course, you will be introduced to the fundamentals of marketing, communication strategies, and marketing career exploration. You’ll explore traditional and digital marketing channels, branding essentials, industry-specific marketing techniques, and learn how AI is being leveraged in the marketing industry. You’ll also explore diverse career pathways in marketing, from established to emerging career paths. Through readings and videos, as well as experiential hands-on exercises, you will develop foundational skills in strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and professional communication that are valuable across numerous industries. 

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: 

• Compare and contrast marketing career paths 
• Match marketing tools and techniques to specific business objectives 
• Distinguish between effective and ineffective marketing practices 
• Compare marketing strategies used across various companies and industries 

Featured Faculty:
Carolyn Boviard has years of experience in the business community working with both large and entrepreneurial companies in New England. Most recently, she was the executive director of The Capital Network, an MIT spin-off which assists entrepreneurial companies in connecting with angel investors and early-stage venture capitalists. Prior to joining TCN, Boviard led the economic development effort for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a cabinet member in the Cellucci administration. She has also represented businesses at the State House and is knowledgeable on public policy issues affecting business from her 10 years experience leading the Massachusetts state office of the National Federation of Independent Business. Boviard is a graduate of Boston University and holds a certificate in association management from the US Chamber of Commerce. 

Program Overview:
This course will show you how to turn ideas, data, and personal experiences into compelling visual stories that grab attention and make a real impact. You will explore how visual elements like color, layout, and typography work together to create powerful communication, while learning to use AI tools and digital platforms to enhance their storytelling. The course examines how visual stories function across activism, marketing, journalism, and social media, while being sensitive to ethical and cultural considerations in visual communication. Whether you’re passionate about social justice, environmental issues, sports, or sharing your own experiences, this course helps you develop the skills to become an effective visual communicator who can connect with audiences and create meaningful change. 

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: 

• Identify visual design elements: colors, fonts, layouts, and composition 
• Recognize elements of visual psychology: color impact, eye movement patterns, and emotional response in data presentation 
• Evaluate ethical considerations and cultural sensitivity in visual storytelling across media contexts 
• Apply fundamental design principles and narrative structures for effective visual communication 
• Utilize AI tools and digital platforms to create optimized multimedia content  

Featured Faculty:
Dr. Eric Bogert is an assistant teaching professor in the Supply Chain and Information Management Department. He has a BA and Ph.D. in Management Information Systems from the University of Georgia. His dissertation focused on how people respond to algorithmic advice. Currently, he is exploring this topic by studying how people respond to high-quality, opt-in algorithmic advice, using data from a large chess platform. Before graduate school, he worked at Deloitte Consulting, Microsoft, and General Electric.