Digital Payments Catalyst Digital Payments Catalyst

Prepare yourself for the challenges and opportunities of our constantly disrupted industry with Digital Payments Catalyst, a robust seven-week certificate program (approximately six hours per week) delivered by two world-class organizations, Wharton Online and Visa.

Registration for our next program is now open
Join us 5 September – 24 October

Special offers: Save 15 percent when you register six or more weeks in advance with promo code Save15 or register four people from your organization and receive an additional registration at no additional cost. Offers cannot be combined.

Composed of weekly self-paced modules, Digital Payments Catalyst features video lectures, articles, activities, discussions, live webinars and more.

We recommend this program for payments professionals looking to expand their knowledge in digital payments and financial industry professionals looking to develop an understanding of the rapidly evolving payments ecosystem.


Gain the knowledge you need to confidently meet tomorrow’s challenges

Learn from Wharton faculty and Visa leaders

Gain exposure to a blend of academic and applied perspectives from faculty and leaders who are shaping the future of payments.

Grow your digital payments knowledge

Expand your knowledge across a broad range of topics including artificial intelligence and big data, cybersecurity and regulations.

Apply what you’ve learned to your role

Build confidence to boost your career prospects, broaden your organizational impact and move the industry forward.

Week-by-week program plan

Learn practical insights and best practices to prepare for the ever-changing payments ecosystem. Program plan is subject to change.

Week 1

Introduction

Familiarize yourself with Digital Payments Catalyst and get to know the Wharton faculty and Visa leaders who you’ll be learning from throughout the program. Introduce yourself and meet fellow program participants.

Week 1

Payments Ecosystem

Explore the evolution of the payments ecosystem. Identify key stakeholders, their roles and the interplay between them. Learn about transaction flows, security measures and success drivers. The inclusion of a real-world case study offers a practical perspective on this topic.

Application
Apply your newfound knowledge, reflecting on its potential impact within your organization. Discuss and strategize ways to leverage these insights to confront challenges and capitalize on opportunities.

Week 2

Key Themes Shaping the Payments Landscape

Uncover current trends and their implications, delve into the influence of Gen Z, alternative credit, blockchain and cryptocurrency. Grasp the role of emerging technologies like open banking, embedded finance, superapps and the rise of sustainability in payments.

Application
Build on last week’s research, applying your new knowledge while considering its impact on your organization. Discuss with your peers and strategize, using these insights to address challenges and uncover opportunities.

Live Event
Engage directly with course facilitators and experts in a participant-driven session designed to deepen your understanding of the concepts you’ve been studying and their impact on your organization.

Week 3

Payments and the Economy

Unravel the intricate relationship between payments and the economy, how economic trends mold the digital payments industry and the far-reaching influence of payment innovations on the economy. 

Application
Use the insights from your recent research, applying them directly to your organization. Strategize with classmates, using your new understanding of payments and the economy to identify organization-specific challenges and opportunities.

Week 4

AI and Big Data

Connect emerging technologies to payments, including the applications of machine learning. Examine common models for managing and optimizing the payments lifecycle. Learn about model compliance, governance and ethical considerations.

Application
Continue to build upon your research, share your findings with peers and apply what you’ve learned to your organization.

Week 5

Fraud and Cybersecurity

Gain a clear understanding of the definitions, distinctions and various types of cybercrime and fraud. Grasp the basics of cybersecurity, its vital role in our digital world, the key components and common threats along with their prevention measures. Immerse yourself in the world of authentication methods and fraud prevention techniques.

Application
Put your acquired knowledge from the module to the test, engaging in discussions with your class. Reflect upon the potential implications, challenges and opportunities this presents for your own organization.

Live Event
Engage directly with course facilitators and experts in a participant-driven session designed to deepen your understanding of the concepts you’ve been studying and their impact on your organization.

Week 6

Regulation and Public Policy

Explore the trends in public policy and regulations that impact digital payments. Learn about the relationships between regulations and the payments ecosystem, the goal of government regulators and the role emerging technologies play in fostering financial inclusion.

Application
Conduct final research and start building the presentation that you will deliver to your organization.

Week 7

Conclusion (Optional)

Consolidate what you’ve learned and apply your findings to your organization.

Application
Deliver a final presentation to your organization. Share key findings with your peers.

Wharton Faculty and Visa Leaders

Below are just a few of the experts you’ll be hearing from throughout the program:

When you complete the program, you’ll receive a digital certificate from Wharton Online and Visa University and a digital badge, which can be displayed on social media sites, email footers and more.   

Please note that participation in this program (a) will not result in a degree from, alumni status with, or earned credit at the University of Pennsylvania or the Wharton School (or, to Wharton’s knowledge, any other institution); (b) will not be recorded on a University of Pennsylvania or Wharton transcript; and (c) does not guarantee or suggest that a participant will be admitted to the University of Pennsylvania, the Wharton School, or to any other university or institution.