Course Description

New Course - Expand Your Business Optimization Skills with AI

This course provides a practical introduction to generative AI, with a strong emphasis on real-world business applications. Students begin by learning core AI concepts, including machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing. The course then introduces large language models and tools such as ChatGPT and custom GPTs.

Building on these fundamentals, the course explores how AI is transforming business in areas such as eCommerce, digital marketing, project management, software engineering, and startups. The course includes hands-on experience in prompt engineering, automating SEO & programmatic SEO, building chatbots, and more.

Course Details

Number of Units: 1.0 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours

Who Should Attend: Anyone interested in understanding the current and future direction of AI in business, healthcare, or finance.

Technical Requirements

Course Options

Course Date Units Price

What You Will Learn

At the conclusion of this course participants will be able to:

  • Explain fundamental AI concepts, including types of machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and transformer-based large language models
  • Design and apply effective prompt-engineering strategies to utilize generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT) for different personal and business tasks
  • Review and develop AI-enabled solutions in business domains such as eCommerce, digital marketing, project management, and software engineering, with attention to measurable business impact
  • Build and evaluate AI-driven business artifacts, including chatbots and recommendation workflows, using affordable AI platforms
  • Apply AI techniques across digital marketing channels, including SEO, programmatic advertising, content creation, and personalization
  • Evaluate ethical, legal, and security considerations in AI for business, including bias, privacy, fraud detection, and the design of guardrails for responsible deployment
  • Utilize AI in creating a business plan, domain registration, branding (e.g., logo design), raising funding and many more tasks that are needed when starting a business

Instructors

Professional development courses offered by the University of San Diego’s Division of Professional & Continuing Education are taught by faculty that possess a depth and breadth of academic and real-world professional experience.

Why USD?

The Professional and Continuing Education program nurtures key partnerships on the local, national, and international level. The goal is to better serve working professionals who seek to enhance or build their careers and help achieve their highest value and potential. Contact us today to learn more.

Informative Stats and Facts

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Learning Method Information

Courses offer a convenient, yet rigorous style of learning that allows you to structure your education to suit your schedule while keeping you on pace toward achieving your educational goals.

Online Self-Paced

Our online self-paced courses are designed to provide flexibility and autonomy for learners. Unlike traditional classroom methods, which require attendance at scheduled times, self-paced courses allow you to progress through the material at your own speed within a six-month period from the time of enrollment.  Your instructor will provide feedback via written responses on your assignments and exams. Grades are based on completed projects, assignments and exams.

Key differences from traditional classroom methods:

  • No scheduled class times or required attendance.
  • No assigned due dates for assignments; you set your own schedule.
  • Asynchronous learning, meaning you can work on assignments anytime.
  • No discussion forums and no interaction with others enrolled in the course.
  • No scheduled class times or required attendance.

Structure of Online Self-Paced Courses:

The content is divided into learning modules, each covering one or more topics. Within each module, you can expect the following components:

  • Module Introduction: Outlines what you can expect to learn in the module.
  • Required Readings and Presentations: Includes textbooks, articles, journals, websites, and audio/video presentations.
  • Assignments: May include written assignments, quizzes, blogs, and other activities based on the readings and presentations.
  • Module Conclusion: Reviews the topics covered and what you should have learned.

Typically, there is a final project, paper, or exam due in the last module that synthesizes all the topics covered throughout the course. The design of the learning modules follows a consistent rhythm to help you manage your time effectively. Grades will be available within two weeks of final submission, transcripts will be automatically mailed out following grades being posted and approved. Please allow 3-4 weeks from when final grades are posted to receive a transcript.