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Be Resilient


Risk is a fact of doing business. Be a CRO who can see the big picture.

Chief Risk Officer (CRO) Certificate


For leaders in risk management to gain the latest skills and best practices impacting their domain.

CRO program sealThis six-month program, co-administered by the CERT Division of CMU’s Software Engineering Institute (SEI), blends on-campus and synchronous distance learning. It is designed to deliver what CROs need to flourish in their current positions and further develop in their risk management careers, including strategies for effectively communicating risks to executive leadership professionals, and tools for analyzing and addressing enterprise risks.

The CRO Certificate Program provides you with applicable training, including topical discussion on current risk challenges and mitigation practices. Learning objectives are met through a combination of expert faculty instruction, business case analyses, and active exchanges with thought leaders in the field. As part of this certificate program, you will develop or enhance a risk plan for an organization. This plan is designed for you to apply several of the methods, tools, and techniques taught during the modules of the program.

The CRO Certificate Program is developed and delivered by Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, CMU's Digital Transformation and Innovation Center, and the CERT Division of the Software Engineering Institute (SEI).

All students admitted to the CRO 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.

The Art of Managing Risk


CROs Melanie Lucht of Carnegie Mellon and Ted Carter of T. Rowe Price talk about how the CRO role has evolved in recent years, and what’s needed to be successful in today’s changing world.

I can’t say enough about the amazing experience I had attending these programs and the value it has provided me over the past several years. I completed the CISO certificate program and it was so helpful that I went back for the CRO program. As many of us have seen over the past decade, cyber threats are an enterprise risk and the education, relationships, and insight I received from both programs at CMU has been invaluable. Jim Trainor | Senior Vice President, Aon | Former Asst. Director, FBI Cyber Division
The program covered a comprehensive range of risk management topics that provided sufficient breadth and depth to prepare me for the CRO role. The practicum was extremely beneficial as it pushed me to apply the knowledge and role play the CRO function for an organization. Working for a CRO for the last several years had given me a strong foundation for this program. However, after completing the program I feel that I am infinitely more knowledgeable, prepared and confident in assuming the role and function of the CRO. Sukhinder Jaaj | SVP, Enterprise Risk Director | Comerica Bank

CRO CERTIFICATE PROGRAM INFORMATION

Program Costs

  • $17,850 for the entire program
  • $14,280 discounted rate for Carnegie Mellon alumni—including CIO, CISO, CDAIO, and CDigitalO 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 CRO Certificate Program, students are unable to apply for tuition assistance, scholarship, or VA benefits. Program costs cannot be itemized.

 

Apply Now

Deadlines

  • Formal deadline for Cohort 10 is February 5, 2025. Please submit your application as soon as possible for consideration.

  • If space remains, we will continue to accept applications on a first-come, first-serve basis.

CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY

A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of 1/5 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 4/5 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 4/5 of the program costs applied accordingly.

Details


Applications are currently being accepted for Cohort 11, which begins February 2025.

  • Cohort 11 (Spring 2025) Program Dates & Schedule

    Virtual Orientation: 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. EST
    February 12-14, 2025

    Virtual Modules: 4:00 - 9:00 p.m. EST/EDT
    (Note: all virtual class dates are Tuesdays)
    February 25 (2025)
    March 18, 25 (2025)
    April 8, 15 (2025)
    May 6 (2025)

    Mid-Session: 9:00 - 5:00 p.m. EDT (Pittsburgh, PA; virtual option available)
    May 13-15, 2025

    Virtual Modules: 4:00 - 9:00 p.m. EDT
    (Note: all virtual class dates are Tuesdays)
    June 3, 10, 17 (2025)
    July 15, 22 (2025)

    Practicum: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EDT (Pittsburgh, PA; virtual option available)
    August 11-12, 2025

CRO Curriculum


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FUTURE MODULES BENEFIT

Graduates of the CRO Certificate Program will have access to new CRO 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 CIO, CISO, CDataO, CDigitalO, or PITC program modules, unless the student is also a graduate of those programs.

MSIT PROGRAM DISCOUNT

Students who complete the CRO 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 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.