New NYU Tandon graduates gain a credentialed edge

The NYU Tandon School of Engineering has launched seven new digital micro-badges within its Master of Science in Management of Technology (MOT) program, giving students a powerful new way to signal their areas of expertise to employers and peers around the globe.

The MOT program, offered by NYU Tandon's Department of Technology and Management Innovation, prepares professionals to build, manage, and lead technology-driven organizations. Students learn how to transform scientific discoveries into innovations that deliver real economic and social impact.

The 36-credit MOT course curriculum includes 12 elective credits, offering students significant flexibility to tailor their courses to their interests. Students can now pursue pre-curated elective combinations that enhance knowledge areas aligned with prospective career pathways. Upon completing these knowledge-area combinations, students earn digital badges that formally recognize the specialized skill sets.

“The MOT program has always been defined by flexibility, which is atypical for engineering programs — and now that flexibility for students to tailor their courses to their professional aspirations comes with a credential,” said Program Director Pavlos Mourdoukoutas. “These badges continue to give students both the freedom to structure their courses around their goals while offering the ability to distinguish themselves professionally.”

NYU Tandon awards the micro-badges automatically once the student successfully completes the designated elective courses and other program requirements—no separate application or additional steps needed. The badges are exclusively digital (separate from the formal diploma), making them ideal for professional sharing on platforms like LinkedIn.

The new MOT micro-badges reflect distinct knowledge areas:

• Cybersecurity Management
  
  For students who want to combine technical cybersecurity skills with strategic leadership. (Online)
• Business Design
  
  Focused on design thinking and human-centered innovation for business growth. (On Campus)
• Data Analytics
  
  Equips students with skills in business intelligence, machine learning, and data strategy. (On Campus)
• Digital Strategies and Innovation
  
  For driving digital transformation and leading tech-enabled business models. (Online and On Campus)
• People Analytics
  
  Centered on using data to optimize workforce strategy and talent decisions. (Online and On Campus)
• Project Management
  
  Builds capabilities to plan, execute, and lead complex projects across technical and business contexts. (Online and On Campus)
• Technological Innovations for Urban Systems
  
  Prepares students to develop smart, sustainable city solutions. (On Campus)

“The badge framework mirrors the MOT program’s modular design, ensuring that students don’t have to choose between structure and personalization,” said Aric Meyer, the department’s Senior Director of Global Academic Operations & Strategy. “Most students will earn a badge as part of their degree journey — providing them meaningful distinction in today’s job hunt or internal promotion paths.”

In the current competitive hiring landscape, we're not just looking for degrees — we're looking for evidence of specific, applicable skills. NYU Tandon’s digital badges offer exactly that. They give us a clear window into a candidate’s expertise in areas like cybersecurity, data analytics, or innovation strategy, and they make it easier for applicants to stand out with credible, skill-focused credentials.”

— Helene Rutledge, President & COO at Birthvue

With over two decades of experience offering the MOT degree, NYU Tandon’s Department of Technology Management and Innovation remains a pioneer in preparing professionals to lead technology-centered organizations. The department offers the program in both on-campus and fully online formats, with many courses held in the evenings to accommodate working professionals.

The introduction of micro-badges follows additional recent initiatives to expand flexibility by offering students more technology management global learning opportunities and experiences. Students can now begin their studies at NYU London or NYU Shanghai before completing the program in New York.