Advance Your Career with Carnegie Mellon Faculty
Executive programs in AI, Product Management, and UX & Service Design for mid-to-senior professionals and leaders in Portugal's tech and innovation ecosystem. Developed in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University and leading Portuguese universities.
385+
Applications in 2025
9%
Acceptance Rate
98%
Completion Rate
10
Programs Offered
Ask anything about our programs
Get instant answers about courses, pricing, admissions, faculty, and schedules.
Programs for Every Stage of Your Career
Advanced Programs
6-month in-person programs in Lisbon. Deep, rigorous training in AI, Product Management, or UX with CMU and Portuguese university faculty.
View Programs →Short Courses
4-weekend intensive courses designed for professionals seeking focused upskilling in AI applications for business and product management.
View Courses →Executive Intensives
3-to-5-day leadership sprints for C-suite executives and senior leaders. Focused, high-impact sessions on AI strategy and product leadership.
View Intensives →Corporate Programs
Custom team transformation programs for organizations. Three tracks available: AI, Product Management, and UX. Designed for teams of 10-25.
Learn More →
Find the Right Program for You
Browse our portfolio of executive programs developed with Carnegie Mellon University faculty and leading Portuguese institutions.
AI, Data Science & Machine Learning
Comprehensive 6-month program covering machine learning, deep learning, NLP, and applied AI. Hands-on capstone project with industry mentors.
AI-Powered Product Management
Master product strategy, discovery, and delivery. AI-assisted rapid prototyping prototypes, AI product tools, and real-world case studies with Feedzai, Farfetch, and Waze.
UX & Service Design
Learn human-centered design, extended reality (XR Studio), and Human-AI Interaction. Faculty from IST and Carnegie Mellon including Prof. Nuno Jardim Nunes.
AI for Product Management
4-weekend intensive course on integrating AI into product strategy and development. Practical frameworks for product managers in the AI era.
AI for Business Transformation
Develop a 90-to-180-day AI implementation roadmap for your organization. From strategy to execution, learn to lead AI transformation initiatives.
Leadership Sprint: AI Strategy
A 3-day intensive for C-suite executives. Develop your organization's AI vision, assess readiness, and build an actionable leadership framework.
Leadership Sprint: Product Leadership
A 3-day intensive for SVPs and division leaders on building product-led organizations. Strategic frameworks, team structures, and innovation governance.
5-Day AI Intensives
Function-specific deep dives in AI for Marketing, Operations, Finance, Product, Sales, and Customer Success. Tailored for domain practitioners.
Corporate Team Transformation
Custom 3-to-5-day or 6-to-8-week programs for teams of 10-25. Three tracks available: AI, Product Management, and UX. Measurable ROI framework included.
Guest Faculty Masterclasses
Single-session masterclasses with world-renowned CMU faculty including Adam Perer (Visual Analytics), Nikolas Martelaro (Human-Robot Interaction), and Jodi Forlizzi.
Where Carnegie Mellon Meets Lisbon
A unique partnership between Carnegie Mellon University and Portugal's leading research universities, delivering executive education at the intersection of technology and business.
CMU Faculty & Curriculum
Programs designed and taught by Carnegie Mellon University professors alongside top Portuguese university faculty from IST, NOVA, and Ciencias ULisboa.
Highly Selective Admissions
With a 9% acceptance rate from 385+ applications, you join a cohort of exceptional professionals committed to advancing their expertise.
Industry-Connected Learning
Capstone projects with real companies, mentorship from industry leaders at Feedzai, Farfetch, and Waze, and a growing alumni network across Portugal.
Practical, Applied Focus
Every program emphasizes hands-on application. From rapid AI-assisted prototyping to AI implementation roadmaps, you leave with immediately deployable skills.
98% Completion Rate
Our programs are designed for working professionals with a Friday-Saturday format. Near-perfect completion demonstrates both quality and accessibility.
Supported by Santander
Strategic partnership with Santander enables accessible pricing and scholarship opportunities, making Carnegie Mellon-quality education available to more professionals.
Upcoming Programs
AI, Data Science & Machine Learning
Product Management
UX & Service Design
AI for Product Management
Learn from Carnegie Mellon Experts
Diogo Rendeiro
PM Co-coordinator
Product & AI Strategy
Paulo Marques
PM Faculty
Feedzai
Patrícia Cadete
PM Faculty
Product Leadership
Rodrigo Rodrigues
AI Faculty
IST
Carlos Duarte
UX Faculty
Accessibility & Web
Manuel Fonseca
UX Faculty
IST
Marta Ferreira
UX Faculty
Service Design
Sónia Rafael
UX Faculty
IST
João Magalhães
AI Program Coordinator
NOVA FCT
Oren Zuckerman
PM Program Coordinator
CMU / Waze
Nuno Jardim Nunes
President ITI / LARSyS
IST / CMU
Adam Perer
Visual Analytics
Carnegie Mellon University
Nikolas Martelaro
Human-Robot Interaction
Carnegie Mellon University
David Semedo
AI Faculty
NOVA FCT
Jodi Forlizzi
HCI & Design
Carnegie Mellon University
What Our Alumni Say
The AI program completely transformed how I approach data-driven decision making. The blend of CMU rigor with practical Portuguese industry context was exceptional.
The Product Management program gave me frameworks I use daily. The vibe coding prototyping sessions and mentorship from Feedzai and Waze professionals were career-changing.
The UX program's access to the XR Studio and Human-AI Interaction modules put me ahead of the curve. Prof. Nuno Jardim Nunes brings a perspective you simply cannot find elsewhere.
How to Apply
Applications for the 2026/2027 edition are now open. Follow these steps to join our next cohort of exceptional professionals.
Choose Your Program
Browse our programs and select the one that aligns with your career goals and experience level.
Submit Application
Complete the online application form with your CV, motivation letter, and professional references.
Interview
Selected candidates are invited for an interview with the program coordinator and admissions committee.
Enrollment
Accepted candidates receive their offer letter. Secure your place with enrollment confirmation and payment.
Custom Programs for Your Teams
We design tailored learning experiences for organizations looking to upskill their teams in AI, Product Management, or UX & Service Design.
Meet Our Executive Director
Raquel Yam leads the CMU Portugal Academy as Executive Director, bringing together Carnegie Mellon University's research excellence with Portugal's vibrant tech ecosystem. Under her leadership, the Academy has grown from a pilot initiative to a comprehensive portfolio of 10 executive programs.
With a background in AI business consulting and a deep commitment to making Carnegie Mellon-quality education accessible, Raquel has built partnerships with leading companies including Feedzai, Farfetch, and Santander to create programs that deliver immediate professional impact.
Raquel Yam
Executive Director, CMU Portugal Academy
Contact Us
We're here to help
Frequently Asked Questions
What language are the programs taught in?
All programs are taught in English, with some guest sessions and materials also available in Portuguese. Faculty are international, with professors from Carnegie Mellon University and Portuguese partner institutions.
Can I work full-time while enrolled?
Yes. Our advanced programs follow a Friday-Saturday schedule (Fri 16:30–20:00, Sat 9:00–13:00) specifically designed for working professionals. Short courses run over 4 weekends or 7 evening sessions.
What are the prerequisites?
Advanced programs require a bachelor's degree and relevant professional experience. Short courses are open to professionals at any level. Executive intensives are designed for C-suite and senior leaders with 10+ years of experience.
Are scholarships available?
Yes. Through our partnership with Santander, we offer scholarships for executive programs and intensive courses. Scholarship details are shared during the application process.
Where do programs take place?
Programs are held in-person in Lisbon, at the Academia Santander campus. Some masterclasses and select modules may include online components.
What do I receive upon completion?
Graduates receive a certificate from CMU Portugal Academy, jointly recognized by Carnegie Mellon University and the Portuguese partner universities (IST, NOVA FCT, Ciências ULisboa).