About
An eleven-week certificate program covering the principles, methods, and technologies of robotic process automation
DePaul University's Robotic Process Automation Program aims to help professionals understand how to accelerate efforts at transforming their businesses digitally using Robotic Process Automation (RPA). RPA involves automating current business workflows – in particular, those that are repetitive and manual in nature—with the help of soft “robots”. This results in a reduction in human involvement and an increase in efficiency, accuracy, and predictability. The use of RPA, along with other intelligent automation technologies, is already having a major global impact on how businesses drive value from automation, and its adoption is expected to continue increasing rapidly. The program is suitable for any business or IT professionals who are new to RPA, and who are eager to deepen their understanding and expertise in this field and advance their careers.
The Robotic Process Automation Program presents a vendor-neutral viewpoint into understanding the different technologies and products available in the RPA marketplace to help both business leaders and IT professionals make strategic decisions and implement RPA in their organizations. Students will be given a broad understanding of the different leading RPA technologies along with the technical skills required to successfully automate their business processes. The program begins with an introduction to Robotic Process Automation and how business operations across industries can deliver elevated experiences and increase their bottom line through implementing RPA. The program then focuses on RPA concepts, use cases, and building different virtual bots. Topics also include various RPA tools, components, implementation, deployment, and monitoring. The later part of the program will explore how RPA can be extended using AI technologies, and how other emerging technologies like 5G and IoT will complement and enhance RPA.
The program consists of an effective mix of interactive lectures and extensive use of hands-on lab exercises. Students will build their own business process using different RPA platforms from commercial-level distributors such as UiPath, Automation Anywhere, Microsoft, etc. Lectures and demonstrations will be complemented by reading assignments, hands-on exercises, case studies, and projects. Students are required to bring their own laptops (both Windows and Mac OS are acceptable) to every class session. Students should have full administrator rights to the computer they use for coursework. While access to most Cloud services explored in the program will be provided to students in class, there may be some Cloud services that are only accessible via the use of a student’s own credit card. Students should expect to spend a small fee to access these services.
Students in this program will be able to:
- Describe the role of RPA within the broader scope of digital transformation
- Apply RPA and other relevant automation approaches to their business needs
- Review real-world scenarios that are optimized through the practical use of RPA
- Develop RPA applications using Cloud-based tools
- Gain real-world experience through lab work and a project to demonstrate the skills learned
For a complete program description,
download the program's brochure.
Dates
Autumn Quarter 2023:
Fall 2023 dates to be announced.
Fees
Autumn Quarter 2023
Tuition
Full payment of tuition must be received before the start of the program. Students who elect to pay tuition using a credit or debit card will be assessed a non-refundable 2.75% convenience fee.
Refund/Cancellation Policy: DePaul reserves the right to cancel any program before that program’s first scheduled meeting, in which case tuition fees (but not convenience fees) will be refunded. The university's refund policy allows a return of 100% of tuition if the student drops the Robotic Process Automation Program within the first two weeks of the program (convenience fees will not be refunded).
Notice for Current DePaul Students
- Undergraduates: Please be aware that the tuition fee for this program is not included in the university’s
full-time term package pricing.
Application Fee
Each program requires a $40.00 (non-refundable) application fee that can be paid online (via credit card) during the
online application process. If you need to pay this fee by check or money order, please make the check or money order payable to
DePaul University and send it to:
DePaul University Institute for Professional Development
243 S. Wabash Avenue
Room 301
Chicago, IL 60604
Textbooks
Textbooks are a separate purchase to be made by students.
Reading materials for certificate programs consist of textbooks and supplementary handouts. Textbook readings are considered preparatory in nature and are typically assigned prior to lectures; supplementary handouts are frequently distributed in class to provide additional information.
Textbook information to be announced.
Payment Options
Fees are payable by check made out to DePaul University, or
online by credit/debit card or electronic check. Students who elect to pay tuition using a credit or debit card will be assessed a non-refundable 2.75% convenience fee.
Applicants who are eligible for a tuition reimbursement program offered by their employer and are interested in deferring their tuition payment using the university's
Employer Tuition Deferral Plan must return the Employer Tuition Deferral Plan application to the Institute for Professional Development Office. Submitting this application to any other DePaul office may delay the student's registration process. Information about this plan, along with an application form, is found
here
.
Applicants who wish to use the university's
Single Term Payment Plan or a
third-party billing arrangement should contact the Institute for Professional Development office at (312) 362-6282 for details.
Admissions
Admission Requirements
The program is suitable for any business or IT professionals who are new to Robotic Process Automation. An understanding of business processes and domain knowledge is required. Basic experience with a personal computer (running either Windows or Mac OS) is assumed.
Course Credit
The Robotic Process Automation Program is cataloged as a non-credit course of DePaul University. A certificate of completion from
DePaul University is awarded to those who successfully complete the program's requirements. Program requirements include in-class lab work as well as homework assignments and projects. No midterm or final exams are conducted.
The Robotic Process Automation Program is a graded course. A final grade letter as well as a DePaul transcript (upon request) will be available upon program completion.
Application & Registration Procedure
All interested parties should apply for admission using the Institute for Professional Development's
online application; or, download and complete the
Application Form and email the form to ipd@cdm.depaul.edu. Upon admission, the Institute office will contact the prospective student with registration information and instructions.
You do not have to be an existing DePaul student to take this certificate program. Registration is restricted to individuals who apply for admission to the program and receive an acceptance letter. IPD staff will register applicants upon receipt of payment and registration form.
Regular DePaul students cannot register themselves via the university's registration system. If interested in enrollment, regular DePaul students should begin by submitting an application for admission. Students must meet the program's admission criteria.