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Professional education

Designed for professionals looking to stay strong and competitive in their careers, WatSPEED professional education delivers training on leading edge business practices, disruptive technologies, and essential job skills. 

Programs and Courses

Executive programs

WatSPEED executive programs equip leaders to transform, compete, and thrive, while driving real-world impact in a rapidly shifting technology landscape. Our applied learning and discovery process incorporates cutting-edge technology and creates direct personal and business value.

Executive Courses and Events

Custom training

WatSPEED custom training delivers the expertise and forward-thinking approach today’s organizations need to futureproof their workforce and keep pace with technology while driving innovation.

Bring Waterloo Expertise To Your Team

Featured programs and courses

Online skills training, powered by ed2go

These online, flexible courses offer you the convenience to study wherever and whenever you choose, making it simple to learn and work in a way that best suits your schedule.

Advanced, instructor-guided, or self-guided courses

Start anytime!

AI Certificate

Gain cutting-edge expertise in AI implementation, adoption, and deployment with WatSPEED's flexible, stackable certificates. From foundations to deep learning, upskill into tomorrow’s most in-demand AI roles with the University of Waterloo, Canada’s innovation leader.   

Online learning with recorded live sessions

Next start date: September 21, 2026

Data Science Certificate

Learn advanced statistical modelling, machine learning, and big data tools. Course content covers the seven domains of INFORMS' Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) certification.

Four-course program

Next start date: September 28, 2026

Project Management

The curriculum for this certificate program is compatible with the project management industry standard set by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Five-course program

Next start date: September 9, 2026

Machine Learning Practitioner Certificate

Harness the power of data like never before. From understanding complex algorithms to adopting large language models into your work, our programs provide the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive amidst an ongoing data and AI revolution.

Three-course program

Next start date: September 14, 2026

Back-End and Intelligent Systems Development Certificate

Take a practical, real-world approach in building secure, reliable, back-end systems with cutting-edge AI tools and expert guidance  and industry gold-standard coding practices.

Three-course program

Next start date: October 5, 2026

Understanding AI: An Intro for Small and Medium Business

Empower your business with AI. This practical course helps SMB leaders understand AI, identify high-impact opportunities, and build a clear, responsible roadmap. No technical background required.

FREE

Start anytime!

Managing AI Projects

Effectively manage AI projects with practical frameworks, expert guidance, and real-world applications

Certificate Program

Next start date: September 14, 2026

Executive Certificate in Leadership and Innovation

Build the capability to lead change in a digitally evolving business environment and make informed technology decisions. 

Four-course program

Next start date: August 26, 2026

Upcoming events, workshops, and webinars

Workshop | Getting Started with Python

Join us on September 2, 2026 for this foundational workshop to learn the basics of Python for data science through a live Python demonstration.

Free

September 2, 2026

Workshop | Putting AI Agents to Work

Discover the power of AI agents. Join this free workshop to explore core concepts, real-world applications, and emerging use cases.

Free

September 9, 2026

Workshop | Intro to Machine Learning: How AI is Accelerating Data Science

Join this free workshop to gain a practical introduction to machine learning in today’s AI landscape, including how core ML concepts such as generative AI underpin modern systems, and how these approaches are accelerating data science across industries.

Free

September 10, 2026

Workshop | AI Engineering 101: The Skills Behind Intelligent Systems Development

Explore how AI is transforming the future of software development in this free webinar. Learn how to integrate AI tools into your development workflow, automate testing and deployment, and accelerate innovation in web and cloud-based applications.

Free

September 11, 2026


More than 25,000 professionals have completed a WatSPEED course or program

#1
Canada's most innovative university
Maclean's 2023 University Rankings
Top 1%
among the world's universities
Center for World University Rankings 2023
Top 25
in the world for Computer Science and Information Systems
QS World University Rankings 2023

Hear from our learners

This course blended the theoretical and practical really well - everything from avoiding the "bright shiny objects" on the path to transformation, to how to raise the right discussions with leadership, and keys to success for engaging employees and technology. Not every transformation will succeed - but with this course and learnings in hand, our chances of success improve!

David H. | Director, Continuous Improvement and Strategy Deployment
Digital Transformation Certificate Course

The material is simple and accessible. The instructor was very good at explaining complex concepts. The pace and workload was excellent for someone who is also working. The assignment and project really help you put into practice and integrate what you have learned. I highly recommend this class!

Sarah Berube | Policy Analyst, Government of Canada
Python and Public Data Certificate Course

The data science program provided me with the foundation of data sciences and laid the groundwork to build on my acquired skills. As an oil and gas professional, I enrolled in this program to expand my hard skills and enable my pivot to the tech industry. I found the program to be very practical, with lots of content and teaching support. The final group projects in every course also led me to expand my network.

Yasser Khan | Data Lead, 303 Sparky
Data Science Certificate Program

This course is invaluable for new supervisors—it provides insight into what motivates, frustrates, and inspires the various personality types on your team. I loved it and plan to refer back to my notes often!

Pia Zeni
Essential Skills for New and Potential Supervisors Certificate Course

Super organized and engaging! I really enjoyed it. Best virtual course I have done yet and my entire masters was online. Very well done.

April Pollington | Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health
Managing the Opportunities Provided by Conflict Certificate Course

My DiSC report offered a complete analysis of my current leadership style and the areas where I need to improve. I have a clear understanding and roadmap of how to work on my weaknesses.

Rafal Rusiniak | Handtmann Canada Limited
Understanding Your Agile EQ Certificate Course

Honestly, I learned a lot through this course. I do not intend to become a project manager, but this course gave me some tools for managing projects (as a functional manager) and also gave me a great understanding of the purpose and needs of project managers. The highlight of the course was interacting with the instructor. Her energy was infectious.

Alisa Sivak | Unviersity of Waterloo
Project Management Applied Tools and Techniques Certificate Course

As an aging software developer, the Foundations of Large Language Models course was able to provide me with an understanding of how LLMs actually work and provide a new edge in the market. The elegance of applied mathematics truly continues to change mankind for the better, and I am thankful for the clarity into these amazing systems.

Samuel H. | MindModel AI Inc.
Foundations of Large Language Models Course

I am an experienced software developer (C#/Java) but using Python for the first time. I found the course challenging but I also learned a lot. I would recommend this course!

Deniz Berkin
Python for Machine Learning Certificate Course

WatSPEED news

July 9, 2026

WatSPEED's Introduction to Machine Learning workshop earns global CASE Gold Award

WatSPEED has received a 2026 CASE Circle of Excellence Gold Award for its Introduction to Machine Learning online workshop. Read the full story.

July 6, 2026

Why every leader needs a geopolitical view of AI

How will AI reshape global competition? What does it mean for Canada's competitiveness? Who controls the infrastructure that powers AI? How should organizations prepare? Read the full story.

March 27, 2026

How AI is reshaping engineering: Insights from Waterloo leaders

At the recent Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) EngTalks event in Waterloo, leaders from across industry and academia came together to explore how AI is reshaping engineering practice. Read the full story.

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