Originally reported by AIthority.com. Published June 2020.
Caltech CTME and Simplilearn Partner on a Global DevOps Post Graduate Program
Caltech’s Center for Technology and Management Education (CTME) and Simplilearn, a global digital skills training provider, announced a collaboration to deliver a specialized Post Graduate Program (PGP) in DevOps. According to the announcement, this was the first Simplilearn Post Graduate Program to launch simultaneously across global markets, making it accessible to learners worldwide from day one.
CTME is the professional and continuing education arm of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). The partnership positions the program at the intersection of rigorous academic instruction and industry-focused, skills-based training.
Program Structure and Delivery Model
The PGP in DevOps is built around Simplilearn’s Blended Learning delivery model, which integrates multiple learning modalities into a single cohesive experience:
- Live online classes led by instructors
- Self-paced learning modules for flexible study
- Hands-on labs and projects for practical skill development
- Peer interaction and collaborative learning activities
- 24/7 access to Teaching Assistants (TAs) for ongoing support
- Masterclass lectures delivered by CTME faculty instructors
The program includes over 20 live projects and Capstone projects spanning four industry domains, giving participants sustained exposure to real-world DevOps scenarios rather than purely theoretical content.
What the Curriculum Covers
The program is designed to prepare software engineers, developers, and technologists for modern DevOps roles. Core curriculum areas include:
- Software architecture principles relevant to DevOps environments
- CI/CD pipelines — building, automating, and maintaining Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery workflows
- Automation tooling across the DevOps lifecycle
- Cloud computing fundamentals and application
- Software integration practices across development and operations teams
- Workflow automation covering both integration and deployment processes
- Front-end and back-end coding skills to support full-stack DevOps competency
The curriculum aims to align with current industry best practices rather than serving purely as an academic exercise, reflecting the applied nature of professional DevOps work.
Credentials and Career Support on Completion
Graduates of the PGP in DevOps receive a package of credentials and services:
- A joint industry-recognized certificate from both CTME and Simplilearn
- CTME Circle Membership, connecting graduates to the broader Caltech professional alumni network
- Eligibility for 25 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), applicable toward professional qualifications and employer development requirements
- Enrollment in Simplilearn’s JobAssist job placement service to support the transition into DevOps roles
Why This Program Was Launched
Both organizations cited widening demand for qualified DevOps professionals as the primary driver. Anand Narayanan, Chief Product Officer at Simplilearn, commented on the rationale at launch:
“With rapid technological advancements, the expectation from organizations to expedite delivery of quality tech products and services is a given. It is this need gap that efficient implementation of DevOps can address, also indicating the growing career prospects for DevOps-based job roles. By introducing the PGP DevOps program in collaboration with CTME, we aim to create a job-ready workforce by equipping learners with industry-specific skills.”
— Anand Narayanan, Chief Product Officer, Simplilearn
Dr. Rick Hefner, Program Director at CTME, emphasized the broader professional context:
“Today, the world is in the process of digital transformation, and professionals urgently need to equip themselves with the right skills to stay ahead of the curve. CTME’s Post Graduate Program, in association with Simplilearn, offers a comprehensive curriculum and provides an opportunity for career growth in the DevOps domain. The organizations that harness digital capabilities help spark the innovations that can help society.”
— Dr. Rick Hefner, Program Director, CTME
Context: University–Training Provider Partnerships in Tech Education
The Caltech CTME–Simplilearn collaboration reflects a broader trend in professional technical education: established universities partnering with online training platforms to combine academic credibility with scalable, industry-aligned delivery. For DevOps practitioners and hiring managers, a joint credential from a recognized institution and a specialist training provider can signal both theoretical grounding and hands-on readiness — two requirements that are often evaluated separately in technical hiring.
For engineers considering upskilling or career transition into DevOps, programs structured around CI/CD, cloud platforms, automation tooling, and live project work are generally considered more practical than purely lecture-based alternatives, regardless of the institution offering them.