Foundations of Robotic Interactions
Online Graduate Certificate
You're closer than you think.
This is how you move into Robotics.
Build on the engineering and technical skills you already have to gain the robotics knowledge, confidence, and credibility to collaborate across teams, move into robots-focused roles, or lead technical innovation in your organization.
Developed by the world-renowned Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Institute, the program provides a practical curriculum in movement, learning and human-robotic interaction; critical skills for building, deploying or working alongside intelligent robotics systems.
"This program is a pathway for technically trained professionals to step into robotics and build uniquely valuable skills at the intersection of autonomy and human interaction. It’s the foundation needed to build robots that move reliably, work effectively with people, and continuously improve behavior through learning in order to succeed in real-world environments."
George Kantor
Research Professor
Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute
Who is this Program For?
Engineers and technical professionals who possess a strong math background coupled with programming experience who want to gain or deepen their knowledge of how robotic systems operate from a computer science perspective.
What You Will Learn
By the end of this certificate, you will develop a practical understanding of how robotic systems move, interact, and make decisions in real-world environments. You’ll explore how programming, perception, and motion planning come together to enable robots to operate reliably, adapt to changing environments, and interact effectively with people.
The CMU Difference
Learn from the CMU Robotics Institute, the first and largest robotics institute in the world, where faculty and students are advancing the future of robotics. This online experience pairs CMU's research-driven instruction with intentional course design, ensuring complex concepts are taught with the same rigor and depth as on-campus study.
Curriculum
Through a combination of mathematical rigor and hands-on implementation, learn to build robotic systems that are precise, responsive, safe, and effective in real-world human environments.
- Model robotic motion and physical interaction using the mathematical foundations behind manipulation, grasping, motion planning, and control.
- Program robots to move safely and reliably in the real world by applying algorithms that coordinate motion, force, perception, and contact with objects and environments.
- Design human-centered robotic systems that interact intuitively with people by incorporating principles from interaction design, human factors, behavioral modeling, and user research.
- Apply modern robot learning techniques including imitation learning, reinforcement learning, and learning from demonstration to help robots adapt and improve through data and experience.
Course Descriptions
This course explores how robots move, grasp objects, and apply force to perform useful tasks in the physical world. Students develop the mathematical and algorithmic foundations needed to program robots to manipulate objects reliably and safely in real-world environments.
Through a blend of theory and hands-on implementation, students learn to represent motion mathematically, model physical interactions, and design systems that enable robots to pick up objects and use tools effectively.
Core topics include kinematics and dynamics, grasp and motion planning, control systems, and force and contact reasoning. The course emphasizes deep mathematical rigor alongside practical, project-based work applying algorithms to real manipulation challenges.
This course explores how robots interact safely, effectively, and intuitively with people. Students learn how to design robot behavior and interfaces that enable seamless collaboration between humans and robotic systems.
Through a combination of theory and hands-on work, students study how people perceive and respond to robots, and how to design systems that are understandable, responsive, and safe in shared environments.
Core topics include interaction design, human factors, user studies, behavioral modeling, and ethical considerations. The course blends engineering with psychology and design, with project-based work focused on evaluating and improving real-world human-robot interactions.
This course explores how robots learn new skills from data, experience, and human guidance. Students develop a foundation in core robot learning approaches including imitation learning, reinforcement learning, learning from demonstration, and emerging foundation models, while gaining hands-on experience implementing algorithms in robot simulation environments.
Through a combination of theory and applied programming assignments, students learn how to frame robotics challenges as learning problems and apply modern machine learning techniques to enable robots to adapt, improve performance, and operate more intelligently in dynamic environments.
Quality Online Learning for Working Professionals
Building foundational skills in robotics means learning to think analytically, iterate on models and systems, and apply theory through practice in a rigorous yet flexible learning environment.
Rigor — Expect a rigorous learning experience with the same high academic standards as our on-campus offerings. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.
Flexibility — Complete the program in less than a year through a combination of live online classes and self-paced activities that fit your schedule.
Live, online classes meet weekly with CMU faculty after work hours for interactive discussion, problem solving and collaborative learning.
Self-paced activities - readings, short lectures and applied exercises allow you to master concepts on your own timeline with ongoing faculty support.
World Class Faculty
From the Robotics Institute
Associate Professor
Research Focus: Developing algorithms and representations to enable robots to learn versatile manipulation skills over time.
Lab: Intelligent Autonomous Manipulation (IAM) Lab
Associate Professor
Research Focus: Developing intelligent, autonomous robots that help humans on complex tasks.
Lab: Human and Robot Partners Lab
Associate Professor
Research Focus: Computer vision and graphics, with a focus on computational imaging, the joint design of optics, and algorithms to create advanced imaging systems
Lab: Computational Imaging at CMU
Application Requirements
This program is designed for professionals with backgrounds in engineering, computer science, physics or other technical fields who want to expand their skills into robotics and human-robot interaction.
Successful applicants have:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, or other technical fields.
- A strong quantitative foundation, including coursework in advanced mathematics and exposure to programming.
- Familiarity with programming languages such as Python, C, or similar languages.
- Curiosity about interdisciplinary work and the desire to collaborate across software, engineering and robotics teams.
We encourage you to apply even if your background does not perfectly align with every requirement listed above. In some cases, preparatory or refresher work may be recommended to help ensure your academic success.
Tuition
We know that a graduate-level certificate represents a significant investment of both time and money. But we also know the impact of investing in your own personal growth.
See below of a full breakdown of tuition and more details on payment options.
Applicants who submit by the Priority Deadline are eligible for a partial fellowship award.
You will be notified of your award amount in your admission letter. Apply today!
| Course | Investment |
|---|---|
| Foundations of Robotics Manipulation | $6,660 |
| Fundamentals of Human Robot Interaction | $6,660 |
| Fundamentals of Robot Learning | $6,660 |
| Total Investment | $19,980 |
Financing Your Future
To help make the financial commitment more manageable, we offer a limited number of scholarships and flexible monthly payment plans. Students also use employer tuition reimbursement benefits, and the G.I. Bill to cover tuition costs. See below for more details on ways to make an investment in your future a reality.
Additional Fees & Notes
- A $240 technology fee will be assessed each semester (subject to change).
- Tuition rates are for the current academic year only. If the certificate is not completed within that time frame, tuition may increase slightly for the following academic year.
Funding Information and Resources
All applicants who apply by the priority deadline are eligible for a partial fellowship award; those received later may be eligible if funds are still available. You will be notified at the time of admission of any awards. Fellowships are applied by course and are non-transferrable between courses or semesters.
In addition, Carnegie Mellon alumni are eligible for a scholarship to the graduate certificate worth up to 20% of tuition. Indicate your alumni status within the application to be eligible.
The majority of our students use tuition reimbursement benefits from their company. While some policies won't cover certificate programs, since this certificate is credit-bearing and a verifiable credential, many organizations will allow tuition benefits.
And remember, fall enrollment will maximize benefits since most benefit plans are based on calendar year. Enroll in Fall 2026 and you will use both your 2026 and 2027 benefits to cover the program cost. If your employer is uncertain about providing financial support, or if you need specific documents to proceed with enrollment, contact a Program Specialist who will help highlight the value and benefits of completing an online certificate at Carnegie Mellon.
Visit this webpage to see examples of how employer tuition reimbursement can be structured throughout the semester.
A monthly payment option is available and breaks tuition into manageable monthly installments. Managed by Nelnet, students can enroll online.
Visit this webpage to explore available payment options and see examples of how tuition can be structured throughout the semester.
All CMU Online graduate certificates are eligible for CMU tuition remission. Review the CMU tuition remission policy to check your eligibility.
Students pursuing a graduate certificate are not eligible to receive federal financial aid. However, private loans are a viable alternative to consider, offering competitive interest rates and borrower benefits. See FastChoice , a free loan comparison service to easily research options.
Start Your Application
Ready to Apply? Here's what you'll need to complete the application process for the Foundations of Robotic Interactions Online Graduate Certificate.
Complete the Online Application
Submit your application via the online portal.
Submit Your Resume/CV
Tell us more about your employment history, academic background, technical skills and professional achievements.
Submit Your Transcripts
Upload unofficial copies from schools where a degree was earned or significant coursework was taken. Transcripts must include:
- Your name
- College or university name
- The degree awarded (along with the conferral date)
- All courses taken and grades earned
Upload a Statement of Purpose
In 500 words or less, tell us why you are interested in this certificate program and how you anticipate using it in your professional capacity.
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Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Institute
By the Numbers