Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Program
What is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Program about?
The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Program is a nine- to 12-month executive education program for senior technology leaders who want to move beyond technical oversight and lead technology strategy at the enterprise level. The program brings together technology strategy, AI and emerging technologies, innovation, transformation, and execution to help you make technology decisions with a broader business impact in mind.
Through an 18-week core curriculum, three six-week online electives, live faculty-led sessions, AI and machine learning (ML) webinars, and an executive reflection project, you will examine how technology shapes competitive advantage and organizational growth. You will build frameworks to evaluate emerging technologies, align AI investments with business priorities, lead innovation, and navigate the strategic challenges associated with scaling technology across an organization.
What will you learn in the CTO Program?
Key program takeaways
Technology strategy: Build and evaluate technology strategy frameworks for strategic adaptation, renewal, and competitive advantage
Enterprise transformation: Assess AI, ML, blockchain, and global technology trends for enterprise transformation
Commercial innovation: Generate and evaluate commercial technology ideas using ideation, hypothesis formulation, and market-entry frameworks
AI metrics: Apply AI strategy and governance frameworks across generative AI (gen AI), agentic AI, responsible AI, and enterprise integration
Scaling readiness: Use scaling metrics to assess organizational readiness, product-market alignment, and sustainable growth
Innovation prioritization: Lead innovation tournaments and process innovation to identify, test, and prioritize high-potential ideas
Policy considerations: Navigate technology policy; data privacy; and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations in technology-led decisions
Strategic growth: Explore acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and platform opportunities to access new technologies and expand market presence
How is the CTO Program curriculum structured?
Phase 1: Technology strategy | 6 weeks
Build a strategic foundation for leading technology-driven change, evaluating opportunities, and creating value through innovation.
CTO Strategic Mindset: Responding to Change and Creating Change: Examine the CTO's roles and responsibilities, and develop the strategic mindset required to respond to and drive organizational change.
Frameworks and Building Blocks: Explore how organizational strategy and technological change influence value creation, market entrants, innovation, and social networks.
Generating and Evaluating Commercial Ideas: Explore ideation, scaling, hypothesis formulation, the judo strategy, and the implementation of AI within an organization.
Entry Strategies: Examine market entry approaches, including value chain cooperation, disruptive strategies, and blue ocean strategies, along with the factors influencing market penetration and product launches.
Strategic Adaptation and Renewal: Explore how disruptive technologies can challenge established organizations while creating opportunities for adaptation, renewal, and technological leadership.
Ecosystems: Examine the role and dynamics of ecosystems, how disruptive technologies emerge within them, and how organizations can leverage ecosystems for innovation and growth.
Phase 2: Trends in technology | 6 weeks
Examine emerging technologies and broader technology trends that influence organizational strategy and competitiveness.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Explore the value of ML, algorithmic predictions, and data-driven decision making, including how ML can support innovation and industry disruption.
The AI Stack and Competitive Implications: Examine strategic AI implementation, its competitive and economic implications, and the evolving AI industry.
Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies: Understand the relationship between blockchain and cryptocurrencies, and explore their potential applications, opportunities, and limitations.
Technology Policy: Examine data privacy, regulation, compliance, global data laws, cyber law, and the evolving role of big technology organizations in society.
Global Technology Trends: Assess how global technology trends affect strategy and competitiveness, including the roles of intellectual property, talent clusters, and migration patterns.
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Essentials for a New Business Era: Explore how ESG factors influence organizational trajectory and risk and how they can be assessed and integrated for long-term success and sustainability.
Phase 3: Tools, techniques, and execution | 6 weeks
Develop practical approaches to scaling technology-driven organizations, managing innovation, and executing technology strategies.
Scaling: Assess organizational readiness for scaling, market-product alignment, and the challenges organizations face as they grow.
Metrics: Explore the metrics used to assess readiness to scale, and evaluate performance before and after scaling.
Leading Innovation: Examine how organizations use innovation to create value, enter new markets, and develop new solutions across different innovation horizons.
Process View of Innovation and Innovation Tournaments: Explore repeatable approaches to process innovation, and use innovation tournaments to test and evaluate ideas.
The CTO Perspective: Balancing External and Internal Modes of Innovation: Examine how organizations balance internal innovation with external collaboration and partnerships while navigating competition and growth.
Accessing New Technologies and Platforms through Acquisition: Explore how acquisitions can provide access to new technologies and platforms while considering their impact on acquiring and acquired organizations.
Module topics are subject to change.
Online electives | 6 weeks each | Choose any three
Choose three electives to complement your core learning and tailor the program to your professional goals.
Technology Acceleration Program: Explore emerging technologies, including AI and ML, and their implications across industries.
Driving Strategic Innovation: Leading Complex Initiatives for Impact: Develop and execute innovation strategies to address complex organizational challenges.
Product Management and Strategy: Explore modern product management techniques and competitive strategies.
Leading a Technology-Driven Organization: Develop a customer-centric leadership approach to respond to evolving market demands.
Executive Presence and Influence: Persuasive Leadership Development: Strengthen leadership impact through strategic persuasion and personal style development.
Corporate Governance: Maximize Your Effectiveness in the Boardroom: Develop a stronger understanding of governance roles and structures to maximize boardroom effectiveness.
M&A and Corporate Development Strategies: Explore the deal-making life cycle, including corporate development strategy, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) decisions, due diligence, divestitures, and negotiation strategies.
Electives are subject to change.
Live faculty-led online sessions
As part of the CTO Program, you will engage in case study discussions and explore real-world applications of cutting-edge research through live online sessions led by Academic Director Lori Rosenkopf. Gain valuable insights into industry challenges and opportunities, with a focus on emerging technologies, digital transformation, and innovation.
Case study 1: The AI integration challenge
Case study 2: Online education in elite business schools
Case study 3: Research applications deep dive
Explore cutting-edge AI and ML trends through live webinars
In addition to the core curriculum, this program features a series of live webinars dedicated to the latest trends in AI and ML. With a special focus on emerging technologies, including gen AI, these webinars provide cutting-edge insights and practical applications to help you leverage these technologies effectively in your organization.
Join industry leaders and experienced faculty for in-depth discussions and thought-provoking lectures on how AI/gen AI is enhancing productivity and customer experience and how ML is transforming industries by enabling strategic decision making, automating complex processes, fostering responsible innovation, and driving ethical governance. Stay ahead in the fast-evolving technological landscape and gain practical AI/ML skills by attending these live webinars.
Generative AI: Capabilities, Risks, and Use Cases: Explore how AI and ML can drive strategic decision making, optimize business processes, and unlock new opportunities for growth.
Agentic AI and the Future of Autonomous Technology: Understand how professionals are leveraging emerging technologies, including AI, gen AI, and ML, to reshape workforce dynamics, adapt to big data-driven processes, and foster innovation, redefining the human-AI collaboration frontier.
Responsible AI: Ethics, Regulation, and Governance: Dive into the evolving regulatory landscape of AI, discussing key laws, governance frameworks, and strategies for implementing responsible AI practices.
The AI Stack Ecosystems: Explore how chips, cloud infrastructure, foundation models, and applications form the AI stack, shaping the opportunities and constraints of gen AI. Gain strategic insights into the interdependencies driving innovation and the leadership strategies needed to stay competitive.
AI Strategy and Enterprise Integration: Align AI initiatives with business goals and human-AI collaboration. Mitigate risks, including hallucination and deskilling, while bridging AI’s technical potential with practical implementation.
Note: Live webinar topics and schedule are subject to change.
Recognition ceremony and networking event
Connect with peers, and expand your network
- Meet your cohort: Connect with fellow participants and faculty on campus
- Build cross-cohort connections: Engage with professionals from other cohorts, and broaden your network
- Participate in a recognition ceremony: Mark the completion of your program experience in an on-campus setting
The optional two-day recognition ceremony and networking event is subject to a registration fee of US$250.
How does the CTO Program build AI strategy capabilities?
From pilots to scale
Explore how organizations turn emerging technology pilots into scalable systems that strengthen performance and competitive advantage.
Technical AI leadership
Build the perspective to evaluate, integrate, and scale AI, including large language models, agentic systems, and the evolving AI stack.
Live AI-focused sessions
Learn from live faculty-led sessions on gen AI, agentic AI, responsible AI, the AI stack ecosystem, and AI strategy and enterprise integration.
Technology strategy in practice
Apply strategic frameworks to evaluate emerging technologies, prioritize innovation, and drive growth across markets and ecosystems.
Hear from the faculty on the CTO Program experience
Who teaches the CTO Program?
Lori Rosenkopf, PhD
Academic Director for the CTO Program, Wharton Executive Education; Simon and Midge Palley Professor; Professor of Management; Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship, The Wharton School
Gad Allon, PhD
Jeffrey A. Keswin Professor; Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions; Director, Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology, The Wharton School
David Hsu, PhD
Richard A. Sapp Professor; Professor of Management, The Wharton School
Witold Henisz, PhD
Deloitte & Touche Professor of Management; Faculty Co-Director, Political Risk & Identity Lab; Founder, Wharton ESG Analytics Lab, The Wharton School
Exequiel (Zeke) Hernandez, PhD
Max and Bernice Garchik Family Presidential Professor of Management, The Wharton School
Rahul Kapoor, PhD
Professor of Management, The Wharton School
Harbir Singh, PhD
Mack Professor; Professor of Management; Co-Director, Mack Institute for Innovation Management; Wharton School Faculty Director for the Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business, The Wharton School
Prasanna Tambe, PhD
Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions, The Wharton School
Karl Ulrich, ScD
CIBC Endowed Professor; Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions; Professor of Management, The Wharton School
Kevin Werbach, JD
Professor of Legal Studies & Business Ethics, The Wharton School
Who is the CTO Program for?
Current and aspiring CTOs | Strengthen strategic technology leadership, align innovation with business goals, navigate the strategic implications of AI, and lead enterprise-wide transformation. |
Vice presidents of engineering, heads of architecture, and software architects | Evaluate and implement new systems, platforms, AI-enabled solutions, and emerging technologies that support enterprise growth. |
Senior technology leaders managing AI and emerging technology adoption | Assess, adopt, and scale AI and emerging technologies aligned with business priorities while strengthening cross-functional influence and making informed technology and AI investment decisions. |
Participants are required to have:
A minimum of 10 years of work experience
Fluency in written and spoken English
Past participants of the CTO Program
Past participants till date
Work experience
Top industries
Top roles
Countries
Where past participants come from
Disclaimer: All product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Use of product and company names does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by the holders.
The list of companies is only indicative and not exhaustive.
What past participants have to say about the CTO Program
Hear from past participants and faculty
How does the CTO Program use applied learning?
The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Program connects technology strategy with real-world business challenges through live faculty-led sessions, case study discussions, research applications, and an executive reflection project.
Real-world case studies in the program
The AI Integration Challenge
Examine how an India-based multinational bank approaches AI integration as a change-management challenge, and identify the managerial levers that can support adoption and transformation.
Online Education in Elite Business Schools
Explore the strategic considerations behind whether to buy, borrow, or build when entering new markets or implementing new technologies.
Research Applications Deep Dive
Examine how networks, mobility, and influence can shape technology-driven industries.
Executive reflection: Transform insights into action
Weekly live sessions and a Slack channel provide opportunities to discuss ideas with and ask questions of your success coach and cohort peers. At the end of the program, you will present your proposed solutions, creating a practical asset to support conversations with decision makers in your organization.
Recognized for impact by 1,900+ learners
Built for business relevance
95% of past learners have rated the content of the program as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Very Good’
Focused learning design
93% of past learners have rated the content-applicability of the program as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Very Good’
Expertise you engage with
83% of past learners have rated the faculty live sessions as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Very Good’
Source: Emeritus Learning Survey
What credentials and outcomes will you gain from the CTO Program?
Certificate of completion
Earn a Wharton Executive Education digital certificate upon successful completion of the CTO Program. As a past participant of this transformative program, you get exclusive access to a wide range of professionals, events, and networking opportunities. You can also benefit from additional tuition assistance upon enrolling in further online electives from Wharton Executive Education.
Note: After successful completion of the program, your verified digital certificate will be emailed to you in the name you used when registering for the program. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wharton School.
Please also note that participation in the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) 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.
Pathway to Wharton alumni status
For more than 135 years, Wharton has been the place where visionaries, inventors, and trailblazers get their start. After completing the CTO Program and subsequent open-enrollment programs, subject to further qualification criteria and additional tuition, you have a pathway to apply for Wharton alumni status.
Executives who successfully complete the CTO Program have the option of applying to the General Management Program (GMP). The GMP provides further opportunity to enhance your leadership skills and business acumen with a flexible curriculum. The CTO Program provides one credit toward the six required to complete the GMP and earn alumni status. More details on the GMP are available at Wharton Executive Education.
Upon qualifying for Wharton alumni status, you will be eligible to receive:
Full access to become a member of more than 77 Wharton alumni clubs
Invitation to attend future Wharton global alumni forums
A Wharton email address
FAQs
What is a CTO program?
The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Program from Wharton Executive Education is an executive learning journey that helps senior technology leaders move beyond technical oversight into enterprise technology strategy. The CTO Program blends trends and strategies on emerging technology, as well as execution frameworks to prepare leaders for enterprise-wide impact.
Why are technology leadership skills becoming essential for today’s professionals?
The rapid evolution of emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation is reshaping how organizations compete, innovate, and create value. As technology becomes central to enterprise strategy, senior leaders must move beyond technical oversight to align innovation with business goals, manage disruption, and lead large-scale transformation initiatives effectively.
The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Program from Wharton Executive Education helps senior technology leaders and aspiring CTOs strengthen their strategic technology leadership capabilities through frameworks, live sessions, real-world case studies, and applied learning. Participants gain insights into technology strategy, AI and ML trends, scaling innovation, ecosystem thinking, and organizational transformation to lead technology-driven growth with greater confidence and impact.
What capabilities can professionals develop through a technology leadership program?
A strong technology leadership program should help professionals strengthen their ability to evaluate emerging technologies, drive innovation, align technology strategy with enterprise priorities, and lead transformation in rapidly evolving business environments. It should also help leaders balance innovation, operational execution, governance, and long-term organizational growth.
The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Program from Wharton Executive Education enables professionals to develop capabilities in strategic technology leadership, AI and ML integration, innovation management, scaling technology initiatives, ecosystem strategy, digital transformation, and responsible AI governance. Participants also gain practical insights into technology policy, ESG considerations, organizational scaling, and strategic decision making through live faculty-led sessions, executive reflections, and customizable electives.
How can technology leadership training help professionals solve complex business challenges more effectively?
Technology leadership training can help professionals approach complex business challenges with a more strategic, structured, and innovation-driven mindset. Leaders who can evaluate emerging technologies, manage uncertainty, scale innovation responsibly, and align technology initiatives with organizational goals are increasingly valuable in today’s fast-changing business landscape.
The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Program from Wharton Executive Education combines strategic frameworks, applied learning, live webinars, executive reflections, and real-world case studies to help participants address enterprise-wide technology and innovation challenges effectively. Participants learn how to lead digital transformation, evaluate AI and ML opportunities, manage operational and regulatory risks, strengthen decision making, and implement scalable technology strategies that drive sustainable organizational growth.
How much does the CTO program from Wharton Executive Education cost?
The fee for the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Program from Wharton Executive Education can be found on the program page. This fee covers academic content, online coursework, and faculty interaction. Travel, accommodation, and the optional on-campus networking event fee are additional. Flexible payment options and early application benefits may also be available for participants.
Can a course help me become a chief technology officer?
A CTO course can speed up your progression by adding strategic frameworks, perspective, and a strong network to your on-the-job experience. Many CTOs transition from senior engineering or product roles over time. Taking a course like the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Program from Wharton Executive Education can help accelerate this path, equipping you with strategic frameworks, global networks, and practical training through case studies and industry applications that prepare you for enterprise-level responsibilities.
How to become a chief technology officer?
A chief technology officer typically advances through senior roles where technology and business strategy intersect, such as product leadership, engineering, or enterprise innovation. Success requires leadership skills, strategic insight, and cross-functional influence. Senior tech leaders can solidify their experience by enrolling in an executive education program. The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Program from Wharton Executive Education helps senior technology leaders transition from oversight to enterprise-wide strategy and impact.
What education do you need to be a chief technology officer?
A chief technology officer can come from diverse educational paths, often with foundations in engineering, computer science, or related disciplines, paired with business or leadership training. What matters most is the ability to align technology with enterprise goals. The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Program from Wharton Executive Education builds the strategic and leadership expertise to excel in this role.
How should I choose a CTO program?
Choosing a chief technology officer program depends on your career goals, leadership responsibilities, and the scale of transformation you want to lead. Important factors include faculty expertise, curriculum depth, program flexibility, and peer learning opportunities. The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Program from Wharton Executive Education spans 9–12 months with world-renowned faculty, modular learning, electives, and a senior global cohort, equipping leaders to align innovation with enterprise strategy and drive measurable impact.
Why take a CTO course instead of relying on work experience?
While experience is critical for becoming a chief technology officer, a CTO course can accelerate your readiness by giving you structured insights, exposure to global leaders, and a network of peers. The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Program from Wharton Executive Education complements on-the-job experience with case-based learning and interactive sessions that provide training-like understanding of enterprise-wide leadership, without being a traditional training program.
I have a full-time job. What is the time commitment expected from me?
The CTO Program has been designed with your busy schedule in mind. You will be required to commit not more than three to five hours per week, enabling you to benefit from this transformative program while fulfilling your day to day work responsibilities. The impactful program offers a blend of self-paced modules and live interaction.
How do the live sessions work?
The 9- to 12-month learning journey of the CTO Program includes live online and video online sessions with renowned faculty, industry experts, and global peers. You can take advantage of weekly live sessions and the Slack channel to ask questions and discuss ideas with your success coach and cohort participants. Real world technology challenges and examples and a debrief of the program learnings are delivered through a combination of recorded video and live online lectures. The program concludes with an optional two-day recognition ceremony and networking event* on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia.
Note: *A registration fee of US$250 is applicable.
Does the program grant Wharton alumni status?
While the CTO Program does not grant alumni status or alumni benefits, it opens up a unique pathway to apply for the prestigious Wharton alumni status upon further qualification criteria and additional tuition. As a part participant of this transformative program, you get exclusive access to a wide range of professionals, events, and networking opportunities. You can also benefit from additional tuition assistance upon enrolling in further online electives from Wharton Executive Education.
What is included in the price of the program?
The program fee covers teaching fees, all academic material, and access to online coursework. The fee does not include the registration fee of US$250 for the optional two-day on-campus networking and recognition ceremony, accommodation expenses for the on-campus event, travel expenses (domestic and international, including visa fees), and any other expenses not specifically mentioned in the program fees.
Is there any discount or financial aid?
You can pay the full program fee upfront or pay in easy installments. If you apply well in advance of the program start date, you can receive a tuition fee benefit. If you would like to approach your company with a sponsorship request for this program, here is a customizable template that you can use.
Can I take more than the specified electives?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to take any more electives than the specified number. The electives are designed to help you gain specialized skills in areas that are aligned with your career so that you can dedicate focused time for learning and honing those skills.
Does the program offer closed-captioning for videos included in the curriculum?
Yes. We provide closed-captioning and transcripts for all pre-recorded videos as well as closed-captioning for recordings of live sessions.
Are there any restrictions on the types of funding that can be used to pay for the program?
Program fees for Emeritus programs with Wharton Executive Education may not be paid for with (a) funds from the GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2008, or similar types of military education funding benefits or (b) Title IV financial aid funds.
How does Emeritus support accessibility for learners?
Emeritus is committed to making high-quality education accessible and affordable to individuals, companies, and governments around the world. If you have questions about accessibility or would like to discuss available support options before enrolling, please contact accessibility@emeritus.org. For more information about our accessibility practices, please review our Accessibility Policy here.
Connect with a program advisor for a 1:1 session
Our program advisors have helped senior executives across the world choose the right program for their career goals. Schedule a 1:1 to get a deeper understanding on why the CTO Program is the right fit for you.
Email: wharton_cto@emeritus.org
Phone: +1 561 486 7448 (U.S.) / +44 1135 191350 (U.K.) / +971 80 0088601095 (U.A.E.) / +52 55970 90243 (LATAM)