Digital Payments Catalyst
Prepare yourself for the challenges and opportunities of our constantly disrupted industry with Digital Payments Catalyst, a robust six-week certificate program (approximately six hours per week) delivered by two world-class organizations, Wharton Online and Visa.
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 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.
Introduction Week
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.
Application
Select a theme that is applicable to your organization.
Week 1
Payments Ecosystem
Get an overview of how digital payments have evolved and the key players. Analyze key industry trends including super apps, buy now, pay later (BNPL) and real-time payments. Take a deep dive into tech topics like tokens, open data, cryptocurrencies and blockchain.
Application
Begin researching your chosen theme. Share what you’ve learned with peers in your theme group. Brainstorm how your findings could be applied to a challenge or opportunity within your organization.
Week 2
Payments and the Economy
Explore how the economy affects payments and vice versa. Learn about two-sided market economies, the globalization of consumption, the impact of changing demographics and the economic effect of COVID-19.
Application
Build upon the previous week’s research and share what you’ve learned with your theme group. Start applying your findings to your organization.
Week 3
AI and Big Data
Connect emerging technologies to payments, including the applications of machine learning. Examine common models for managing and optimizing the payment 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 4
Fraud and Cybersecurity
Explore payments fraud and cybercrime, including trends and broader impacts. Learn about the role of cybersecurity in protecting and securing the payments ecosystem. Discover cybersecurity best practices, including principles for providing systems and data safeguards.
Application
Conduct additional research and share your findings with your theme group. Continue to build upon your theme's practical application to your organization.
Week 5
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.
Live Online Event
Join us for a 90-minute session featuring an expert panel discussion and a group activity.
Week 6
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:
Peter Conti-Brown
Class of 1965 Associate Professor of Financial Regulation | Associate Professor of Legal Studies & Business Ethics, The Wharton School
Sarah Hammer
Adjunct Professor of Law, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School | Managing Director, Stevens Center for Innovation in Finance | Senior Director, Harris Family Alternative Investments 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.