Professional and Executive Education | WatSPEED at University of Waterloo

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

Back-End 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: June 16, 2025

Python I

Designed for beginners or professionals! Take this course if you want to learn Python as a stepping stone for future learning and development goals.

$599.00

Next start date: May 30, 2025

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: June 2, 2025

Cybersecurity Best Practices: A Foundation in Standards and Frameworks

Build your cybersecurity foundation in this live, 4-hour online workshop. Gain the practical knowledge to proactively identify vulnerabilities, manage risk, and build a more resilient future.

$159.00

Next start date: June 23, 2025

Managing AI Projects

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

$595.00

Next start date: June 19, 2025

Data Analytics for Behavioural Insights

Establish foundational knowledge in statistical analysis and gain essential programming skills with Python and R. Designed for beginners with no prior coding or analytics experience.

Three-course program

Next start date: August 15, 2025

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

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

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

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

David H. | Director, Continuous Improvement and Strategy Deployment

Digital Transformation Certificate Course

Sarah Berube | Policy Analyst, Government of Canada

Python and Public Data Certificate Course

Yasser Khan | Data Lead, 303 Sparky

Data Science Certificate Program

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

Alisa Sivak | Unviersity of Waterloo

Project Management Applied Tools and Techniques Certificate Course

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

May 13, 2025

WatSPEED’s Tech Horizons Executive Forum celebrated for excellence and impact

The Tech Horizons Executive Forum has received a 2025 Gold Quill Award of Merit from the International Association of Business Communicators. Read the full story.

April 25, 2025

WatSPEED partners with CNL to empower employees with skills to drive innovation

WatSPEED has partnered with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories to deliver a custom leadership program for CNL employees. Read the full story.

April 16, 2025

Driving economic growth in creative industries

University of Waterloo and Progressive Generation Holding partner to deliver world-class media production and boost creative economy. Read the full story.

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