Big Moves in the Metaverse

The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business is diving headfirst into the virtual realm with its newly announced certificate program, Business in the Metaverse Economy. Starting September 12, this six-week online course promises a blend of academic rigor and immersive experiences. That’s right, put away your popcorn; this is not just another binge-worthy series, but a deep dive into a rapidly evolving digital frontier.

The Course Breakdown

Partnering with consulting whiz kids at Prysm Group, Wharton has crafted a course that sounds impressive on paper and beyond. Picture this: over 50 lectures from top faculty and industry experts, plus a handful of engaging case studies.

• Guest Speakers: Expect insights from a star-studded lineup including representatives from Adobe, Animoca Brands, Second Life, and even the pages of The New York Times.

Mind the Metaverse

Kevin Werbach, the program’s academic director, expressed his hope to illuminate the murky waters of the metaverse for today’s business leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs. As he put it,

“The metaverse is a significant and broad phenomenon that is still poorly understood.”

So, if you’ve ever wanted to explain NFTs to your grandma, maybe this is your chance.

Time Commitment and Investment

You’ll need to be prepared to invest not just your money but also your time. Approximately 8-10 hours a week of study is expected, all for the price of $4,500. But hey, at least you won’t have to leave your couch—or change out of your pajamas. Plus, they’re once again accepting cryptocurrency as a payment option, as they did for the Economics of Blockchain and Digital Assets course last year. It seems that Wharton isn’t just talking about the future; they’re actively in it.

The Crypto Connection

Speaking of crypto, it’s worth noting that Wharton not only accepts digital coins as tuition but also welcomed a cool $5 million donation in crypto back in 2021. Though the Bitcoin value has dipped since then, proving that in the crypto world, what’s trendy now might not be tomorrow. Who said business education can’t keep you on your toes?

A Glimpse Into the Future

Wharton is setting its sights sky-high with predictions claiming the metaverse will balloon into a whopping $13 trillion market with 5 billion users by 2030. Talk about a digital gold rush! And being the first Ivy League institution to offer a course on the metaverse, they are positioning themselves at the forefront of this burgeoning field.