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- Generative AI
- Doctor of Technology
A doctorate built for AI practitioners
Doctor of Technology
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TypeDoctorate
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Start DateSeptember 30, 2026
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Duration27 Months
Why the DTech
Six things that matter to senior AI practitioners, and why the DTech is built around them.
Built around Agentic AI
WASC accreditation
Your dissertation solves a real problem
You don't leave your job to do it
You leave with a governance framework
Who This Is For
The DTech is for AI practitioners who already have the depth. What they're missing is the credential that turns that expertise into institutional authority.
The Ascending AI Architect
The Tech Executive
The Practitioner-Turned-Educator
Transform your leadership
Release your doctoral dissertation as a book
Prototype and pilot your ideas with no-code platforms
Protect your ideas with solid IPs in 155 countries
Pitch your ideas to real VCs with chequebooks
Step into academia as Adjunct Faculty or Professor of Practice
Enroll in the PwC Directorship & Board Advisory Certification
Why Now
Organizations are increasingly looking for leaders who can bridge advanced technical expertise with the practical realities of governing and deploying AI.
3,200+
Source: IBM CEO Study 2026
28–45%
Source: AI Strategy Course / 2024 Job Posting Data
$280K–420K
Source: Glassdoor / CAIO Salary Guide
+34%
Source: NSF/NCSES
What the Credential Carries
WASC Regional Accreditation
WES Recognition
San Francisco AI Ecosystem
Practitioner Faculty
Publication Pathway
What the Credential Carries
WASC Regional Accreditation
WES Recognition
San Francisco AI Ecosystem
Practitioner Faculty
Publication Pathway
Hear from our learners
Get hands-on and rigorous mentorship from acclaimed industry practitioners.
Nandini Jha
Senior Data Scientist @mamaearth
Nandini Jha
Senior Data Scientist @mamaearth
Nandini Jha
Senior Data Scientist @mamaearth
Your Cohort and Alumni Network The Golden Gate Technology Symposium
Five days in San Francisco. You present your applied AI research to industry leaders, faculty, and peers from across the world.
• Fireside chats with AI leaders and CXOs
• Industry tours of Bay Area AI companies
• Masterclasses with CXOs of leading AI and tech companies
• Access to a global alumni community
Transparent pricing, no surprises on the call
Fees and payment
27 equal monthly installments · no interest
One-time · up to 10% additional fee waiver
Disclaimer: Adjustments might apply due to exchange rate changes.
TUITION FEEProgram Tuition$768 USD/month after merit scholarshipPay as You Progress$768/month30 equal monthly installments • no interestUpfront Payment$20,727One-time • up to 10% additional fee waiverMost candidates receive a merit scholarship on the $65,800 program fee — you'll know your exact amount before you commit. Less than one year's tuition at a traditional MBA, for a terminal doctoral degree.
Eligibility
Master's degree in any field or a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years of work experience.

Complete the Application

Application Review
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Receive the Offer Letter

Reserve your Seat
Global Immersion Program
The two immersive programs facilitate student engagement with industry stalwarts in prominent global innovation centers, fostering experiential learning and expansive networking opportunities.
Proposal Defense
Singapore
Final Dissertation
San Francisco
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the minimum eligibility for this program?
Valid Bachelor’s degree with minimum 10 years of experience. Candidates with less than 10 years of experience but with exceptional profiles and outstanding leadership background may also apply.
2. What is the admission process?
The admissions process is completely online. The following are the key steps in the application process:
Step 1: Complete Application
Fill in details of your education, work-experience and submit your Statement of Purpose
Step 2: Application Review
Admission panel reviews the SOP and candidate profile to assess fitment
Step 3: Receive the Offer Letter
Shortlisted candidates are sent the Offer Letter
Step 4: Reserve Your Seat
Pay a block amount to reserve your seat, pay the balance amount subsequently
3. What kind of certification will I get after completion of this program?
4. Where can I find more information about the program?
5. What are the career opportunities available after completing the program?
6. How will I receive my Diploma/Certificate?
Golden Gate University (GGU) offers certified electronic diplomas and certificates, known as CeDiploma or CeCertificate, featuring a unique 12-digit Certified Electronic Document Identifier (CeDID). Unlike traditional transcripts, graduates may share these digital diplomas an unlimited number of times due to the unique CeDID and validation services. Graduates may also print copies of their electronic diploma, to use when an official diploma or certificate is not required. Each CeDiploma and CeCertificate is highly secure, digitally signed, and encrypted, ensuring validation by employers, licensing agencies, and other entities that need to verify a graduate's authenticity.
OFFICIAL HARDCOPY DIPLOMA
The learners will also receive an Golden Gate University’s Official Hardcopy of the diploma upon graduation. This hardcopy diploma does not include a serial number because it is not an “official” academic record as aligned with standard practice in U.S. universities. The hardcopy is only meant for display.
NOTARIZED DIPLOMA
If a learner requires, a notarized diploma can also be issued to them. This hardcopy of the diploma would have a notarized letter stapled to it. These are typically necessary only for students from European Union countries to obtain the Apostille from the California Secretary of State. There is more information available at https://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/request-apostille and here https://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/apostille-faqs/.
1. Will I be able to complete this program being a busy working professional?
The program is specially designed for working professionals to enable effective learning while they continue their jobs. Recorded content can be consumed on the website or mobile application on the go while the Live classes are scheduled on weekends at convenient times so you can attend them easily.
2. What kind of support does upGrad offer?
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Dedicated Student Support:
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Email: studentsupport@upgrad.com
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For urgent queries, use the "Talk to us" option on the Learn platform.
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Extensive academic support through the Discussion Forum, TA-Sessions. Just like in a university, your batchmates will help you with any academic queries. This will happen via the Discussion Forum.
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Other than your peers, you also have TAs (Teaching Associates) for academic queries.
1. What are the Inclusions & Exclusions of the Immersion part in the program?
As part of the DBA in Generative AI, you will have two Global Immersions.
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The Total Program fee covers tuition, course materials, lunches on immersion days, and any opening and closing dinners. It does not include travel, accommodation and other incidentals. You are responsible for making your own travel and accommodation arrangements for the immersion programs.
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Getting a visa prior to the travel shall be your responsibility which shall be done solely at your own cost. Also, please make sure you have all relevant documents available with you to undertake this travel including but not limited to passport having validity of at least 6 months and any other document that may be required as per the embassy requirements of each of the countries in which the Immersion will be held.
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Any charges incurred during the visa approval process shall be borne solely by the learner. upGrad shall, in no manner, be liable for rejection of your visa application and/or any cancellation/modification of your flights, including any additional expenses incurred due to visa re-application and/or flight cancellation/modification. You will not be eligible for refund of any amount paid resulting from the occurrence of any such events.
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Getting tickets prior to your Immersions shall be your responsibility which shall be done solely at your own cost.
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Your dedicated programme coordinator will get in touch around 3 months before your immersion programme start date to communicate information so that you have ample time to make arrangements. The approximate cost of accommodation in India is 150 USD per day, in Singapore 200 USD per day and in San Francisco 200 USD per day.
Exclusions:
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Airfare and airport transfers
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VISA applications and processing
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Transportation to and from campus
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Accommodations
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Travel health and accident insurance
1. What is the refund policy for this program?
Refund Policy:
1. You can claim a refund for the amount paid towards the Program within the duration mentioned on the Offer Letter, by visiting www.upgrad.com and submitting your refund form via the "My Application" section under your profile. You can request your Admissions Counsellor to help you in applying and withdrawing for a refund by sending them an email with reasons listed. There shall be no refund applicable once the program has started. This is applicable even for those students who could not complete their payment, and could not be enrolled in the batch opted for. However, the student can avail pre-deferral as per the policy defined below for the same.
2. Student must pay the full fee within seven (7) days of payment of the deposit amount or batch start date, whichever is earlier; otherwise, the admission letter will be rescinded.
3. Request for refund as per point no. 1 of the refund policy must be sent via email in the prescribed refund request form. The refund will be processed within 30 working days of submitting the duly signed refund form, after being duly approved by the Academic Committee.
TUITION FEE
Program Tuition
27 months part-time payment • no interest
One-time payment
Student Support
By proceeding, you agree to receive communication from and on behalf of Golden Gate University and upGrad (or its affiliates) about this program and other relevant programs.





