Louisiana State University Launches First Digital Twin Certificate Created by Industry and Academic Experts
Louisiana State University Launches First Digital Twin Certificate Created by Industry and Academic Experts
Synopsis- Louisiana State University has introduced a national-first certificate focused on digital twin design and production.
- The program combines academic instruction with industry-led, hands-on digital twin training.
- The certificate targets leaders and professionals across construction, manufacturing, energy, and related sectors.
Louisiana State University has introduced a new Digital Twin Design and Production Certificate aimed at preparing current and future professionals for one of the fastest-expanding technologies shaping modern industry. According to reporting by LSU Media Center, the program is designed to equip business and technical leaders with practical and strategic digital twin expertise in sectors central to Louisiana’s economy, including construction, manufacturing, and energy.
Digital twins are virtual, continuously updated representations of physical assets, systems, or processes. From bridges and factories to logistics networks and supply chains, they allow organizations to simulate performance, identify risks earlier, enhance safety, and lower operational costs. LSU says the growing adoption of digital twins across real-world environments has created a clear need for structured education in how these systems are designed, deployed, and evaluated.
Registration for the certificate is now open, with LSU describing it as the first digital twin certificate program of its kind in the United States. The initiative was co-developed by university faculty and industry specialists to ensure both academic rigor and practical relevance.
Delivered through seven online courses, the program uses case studies, guided instruction, and applied exercises. Participants learn how digital twins are constructed, how they monitor and improve real-world systems, and how to develop them using commonly used software platforms. The curriculum also covers benefits, limitations, and risks, including how to assess deployment costs and return on investment. Broader considerations such as data ethics, intellectual property, and legal exposure are also addressed.
The certificate was developed through a collaboration between LSU’s College of Engineering, LSU Online, Baton Rouge-based consultancy DigiTwin Global, and engineering software provider Bentley Systems, according to the university.
LSU Engineering Dean Vicki Colvin said understanding how digital twins are built, applied, and justified financially is becoming essential for engineers and professionals across multiple industries. She noted that construction, manufacturing, energy, agribusiness, and healthcare increasingly rely on these technologies to remain competitive.
“The engineers and business leaders of tomorrow need digital twin skills today,” Colvin said, adding that LSU moved quickly to close a growing skills gap by combining expertise across disciplines.
Development of the certificate was led by Marwa Hassan, associate dean of academic affairs in the College of Engineering, and Kappie Mumphrey, vice president of LSU Online. Their team included engineers, computer scientists, digital designers, online learning specialists, and industry software professionals. James “Scott” Fargason of LSU’s E.J. Ourso College of Business and LSU alumnus Joey Coco, CEO of Baton Rouge engineering firm Forte and Tablada, were also involved. Fargason and Coco co-founded DigiTwin Global, which contributed industry experience to the program.
The target audience spans business executives seeking strategic and financial insight, as well as project managers, engineers, and IT and operations professionals working directly with digital systems. LSU emphasized accessibility, noting that no coding background is required, while still maintaining a comprehensive scope that balances technical instruction with ethical, legal, and financial considerations.
Several courses include hands-on exposure to digital twin platforms, including tools from Bentley Systems, reinforcing the program’s applied focus.
“No other school offers a program that is as comprehensive as ours,” Fargason said, pointing to the combination of academic theory and industry practice embedded in the certificate.
Coco added that digital twin technology aligns closely with Louisiana’s industrial and coastal infrastructure needs, supporting repair, expansion, and modernization efforts.
“Digital twins are how we turn the scale of our commercial infrastructure into a strategic advantage,” Coco said, noting that the program prepares a workforce capable of operating and upgrading systems that underpin national supply chains.
LSU’s College of Engineering is also exploring the creation of a full bachelor’s degree in digital twin technology, while DigiTwin Global is organizing a dedicated symposium on the subject in February, according to the university.
Source: LSU Media Center – Have a Story? Address it to the Editor and submit it here
About Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University is a public research institution based in Baton Rouge and serves as the flagship university of the State of Louisiana. LSU is recognized for its comprehensive academic offerings, with strengths across engineering, business, agriculture, science, and applied research disciplines. The university plays a central role in workforce development and innovation aligned with Louisiana’s industrial, energy, and infrastructure sectors.
Through initiatives such as LSU Online and industry-collaborative programs, the university emphasizes practical, applied education designed to meet evolving market needs.
LSU’s College of Engineering works closely with public and private partners to address real-world challenges through technology, research, and professional training. With a growing focus on emerging fields such as digital twins, data systems, and advanced engineering tools, LSU continues to expand its role as a regional and national contributor to technology-driven economic development.
Featured image Source: LSU
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