Chief Information and Digital Officer (CIDO) Certificate

Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College is consistently ranked #1 in Information and Technology Management for a reason.

Evolving the Chief Information Officer Role for the Digital-First Era

As organizations continue to navigate the complexities of digital transformation, the role of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) is rapidly evolving. To reflect this critical shift, Carnegie Mellon University is relaunching its renowned CIO Program as the Chief Information and Digital Officer (CIDO) Program—a cutting-edge executive education experience designed to prepare leaders for the new technology and digital frontier.

The CIDO role goes beyond strategic IT leadership, incorporating transformational digital initiatives, data-driven decision-making, and enterprise-wide innovation. CMU’s CIDO Program provides executives with the skills and frameworks needed to lead in this expanded capacity, ensuring their organizations remain competitive in a fast-changing digital economy.

The Shift from CIO to CIDO

The CIDO Program not only focuses on managing IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and enterprise systems, it further enhances the responsibilities of modern leaders to drive transformation, leverage emerging technologies, and create digital-first business models. The CIDO role represents this evolution, blending technology leadership with digital strategy and business innovation.

Are You Ready to Lead Better?

Hear how CMU’s CIDO Certificate equips tech leaders with the skills to thrive in executive roles.

Key Responsibilities of the CIDO:

Driving Digital Transformation – Leading enterprise-wide digital initiatives that enhance customer experience, operational efficiency, and business agility.
Aligning IT with Business Strategy – Ensuring technology investments are strategically aligned with long-term business objectives.
Leveraging Data & AI for Decision-Making – Utilizing analytics, AI, and machine learning to drive smarter business decisions and innovation.
Enhancing Cybersecurity & Risk Management – Managing evolving security threats while ensuring regulatory compliance in an increasingly digital world.
Creating a Culture of Innovation – Encouraging digital experimentation, agile methodologies, and cross-functional collaboration.
Navigating Emerging Technologies – Understanding the implications of technologies like cloud computing, blockchain, and the metaverse on business operations.
Improving Customer-Centric Digital Strategies – Developing digital products, platforms, and experiences that enhance customer engagement.

Why the CIDO Role Matters More Than Ever:

The rapid pace of technological disruption requires leaders who can anticipate and respond to change.
Digital-first companies are outperforming competitors, making digital fluency essential for business success.
The convergence of AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and data analytics demands a leader who can integrate these capabilities effectively.
Organizations need cross-functional digital leadership to bridge the gap between IT, marketing, finance, and operations.

The CMU Chief Information and Digital Officer Program equips executives with the knowledge, tools, and network to lead in this dynamic environment. By participating in this program, leaders will gain the strategic insight and practical skills to drive digital transformation, foster innovation, and position their organizations for long-term success.

All students admitted to the CIDO Certificate Program will have at least seven years of relevant experience managing projects and/or people, giving you the chance to collaborate with similarly experienced peers and build exciting new relationships and networks with your cohort.

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I would urge technology leaders to take advantage of this incredible opportunity. The knowledge I have gained and the development in both my growth mindset and operational strategies has allowed me to dive even deeper into my career and provide a different and more refreshed leadership approach. Michael Smetana | Chief Innovation & Technology Officer | Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc.

Chief Information & Digital Officer Certificate Program Information

Program Costs

$18,750 for the entire program

$15,000 discounted rate for Carnegie Mellon alumni—including CRO, CISO, and CDAIO programs—U.S. government employees, veterans, and employees of non-profit organizations

Program cost is a flat rate with no additional fees

Optional credit card installment payment plan is available

Please note: Due to the non-credit bearing nature of the Chief Information & Digital Officer Certificate Program, students are unable to apply for tuition assistance, scholarship, or VA benefits. Program costs cannot be itemized.

Deadlines

Deadline for Cohort 12 is September 23, 2025. Please submit your application as soon as possible for consideration.
If space remains, we will accept applications on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Logistics

A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of 1/6 of the total program cost is required to reserve a seat in the program. Get details about the cancellation policy.
Optional credit card installment payment plan is available.

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Chief Information and Digital Officer Calendar and Curriculum Details

Applications are currently being accepted for Cohort 12, which begins September 2025.

Chief Information and Digital Officer Curriculum

Guest Lectures: Insights from Industry Leaders

To further enrich the CIDO Program, participants will have the opportunity to engage with industry experts, thought leaders, and practitioners through a series of robust guest lectures. These sessions will provide cutting-edge insights on critical and emerging topics, including:

Emerging Technologies (Quantum Computing) – Experts will explore the transformative potential of quantum computing, its impact on cybersecurity, and how enterprises can prepare for the next wave of computing advancements.
IT Governance – Learn from governance specialists about best practices for IT oversight, regulatory compliance, and risk management, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.
Responsible AI and Governance – Gain insights into the ethical, legal, and governance challenges surrounding AI deployment, including bias mitigation, transparency, and regulatory considerations.
IT/Digital Maturity Assessments – Understand how to assess an organization’s digital and IT maturity, benchmark against industry standards, and develop roadmaps for digital evolution.
Aligning IT Strategy with Business Objectives – Learn from CIDOs and business executives on how to ensure that IT investments, digital initiatives, and technology roadmaps are fully aligned with business goals and value creation.
Innovation Best Practices – Explore methodologies for fostering innovation, from design thinking and agile experimentation to venture-building and corporate innovation labs. Learn how leading organizations cultivate a culture of continuous innovation to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

These guest lectures will complement the core curriculum, ensuring that participants receive real-world perspectives, actionable strategies, and executive-level insights from those shaping the future of digital leadership.

Benefits, Discounts, and the Fine Print

Future Modules benefit

Graduates of the CIDO, CIO, and CDigitalO Certificate Program will have access to new CIDO Program modules created in the future, providing you with continuing education after the program ends. Approval is required.

Please note: This benefit does not extend to future CISO, CRO, or CDAIO program modules, unless the student is also a graduate of those programs.

MSIT Program Discount

Students who complete the CIDO Certificate Program and who subsequently apply for and are admitted into the Heinz College MSIT Degree Program are eligible for a tuition discount scholarship. Program costs that have been paid for completing any or all of the Heinz College Executive Education certificate programs (up to $40,000) by the individual student or their sponsor/employer will be matched with a tuition discount from the MSIT program—reducing the cost to complete the MSIT degree by up to $40,000.

In order to be considered, applicants to the MSIT program should indicate their enrollment status with the CIDO, CIO, CISO, CRO, CDAIO, and/or CDigitalO program(s) on the Application for Admission.

Please note: The tuition discount is only available once a student has completed all of the certificate program’s requirements. Completion of a certificate program does not guarantee admission to the MSIT program.

Cancellation/Refund Policy

A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of 1/6 of the total program cost is required to reserve a seat in the program. Should a student withdraw from the program after the deposit has been paid but prior to the program start date, students may have 5/6 of the program costs either refunded to them or transferred to the following cohort of the program.

After the program start date, no refunds will be issued. However, under extenuating circumstances and with program director approval, students may petition to postpone their attendance to a future cohort and have 5/6 of the program costs applied accordingly.

Not sure the CIDO program is right for you?

Explore our suite of executive education programs to find the one that best fits you:

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The Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) is our part-time online program for professionals seeking graduate degrees in IT; Heinz certificate program graduates are eligible for a MSIT tuition discount.

What's Next?

Have questions? Reach out to us to find out more:

Email: heinzexeced@cmu.edu
Phone: David Ulicne, Executive Director - (412) 268-5543
Phone: Emily Brown, Senior Assoc. Director - (412) 268-8900

Ready to apply?

Apply Now

Be Effective

Chief Information and Digital Officer (CIDO) Certificate

Evolving the Chief Information Officer Role for the Digital-First Era

The Shift from CIO to CIDO

Are You Ready to Lead Better?

Key Responsibilities of the CIDO:

Why the CIDO Role Matters More Than Ever:

Chief Information & Digital Officer Certificate Program Information

Program Costs

Deadlines

Logistics

Chief Information and Digital Officer Calendar and Curriculum Details

Chief Information and Digital Officer Curriculum

Guest Lectures: Insights from Industry Leaders

Benefits, Discounts, and the Fine Print

Future Modules benefit

MSIT Program Discount

Cancellation/Refund Policy

Not sure the CIDO program is right for you?

More Programs for Executives

CDAIO

CISO

CRO

MSIT

What's Next?