Google Career Certificates Available to Help You Gain In-Demand Skills
Access Google Career Certs in AI, Data Analytics, and More!
In partnership with Google, The National Association of Higher Education Systems (NASH), The University System of Maryland (USM), and the University of Texas System (UT), UMBC is offering a limited number of free licenses to help learners build high-demand skills in fields such as cybersecurity, data analytics, IT support, digital marketing, project management, UX design, and artificial intelligence (AI).
These certificates are 100% online, self-paced, and designed for learners with no prior experience.
Whether you’re a student looking to gain a competitive edge in the job market, an alumnus reskilling for a career transition, or a faculty member wanting to integrate industry certifications into your course, this program provides an accessible, flexible, and career-ready learning experience.
NEW This Semester: Google Career Skills Specializations
This semester, UMBC learners also have access to Google Career Skills Specializations, short, focused learning experiences designed to build targeted, in-demand competencies.
Unlike full Professional Certificates, these specializations typically take 5–20 hours to complete, making them a great option for learners who want to quickly build skills, explore a new field, or strengthen specific areas of expertise.
These specializations provide valuable exposure to industry-relevant tools and practices; however, they do not stack into larger Google Professional Certificates.
They’re ideal if you want to:
- Build a specific skill in a short amount of time
- Explore a career area before committing to a full certificate
- Add a quick, resume-boosting credential to your profile
0-Credit Practicum Support
Eligible UMBC undergraduate and graduate students may also enroll in a free, 0-credit, pass/fail practicum course (PRAC) to receive additional structure and support while completing their Google Career Certificate.
- Must enroll before February 24, 2025.
- Includes regular reminders, optional check-ins, and curated resources.
- Builds a sense of community with other students working on certificates.
- Details and requirements will be shared in the course’s Blackboard shell.
Why Earn a Google Career Certificate?
- Gain Job-Ready Skills – Develop expertise in cybersecurity, AI, data analytics, project management, and more.
- Boost Your Resume – Earn an industry-recognized credential that is valued by top employers.
- Flexible & Self-Paced – Learn at your own speed with high-quality courses developed by Google experts.
- Free for UMBC Learners – This initiative provides access to Google Career Certificates at no cost during the extended pilot.
How It Works
- Visit the UMBC Google Career Certificates website to explore available certificates.
- Complete the enrollment form to request access to the program. (Limited licenses available! First-come, first-serve)
- If approved, you’ll receive an email invitation from Coursera with instructions on how to get started.
- Start learning at your own pace and earn your credential to advance your career!
Important: To maximize access for the UMBC community, learners are asked to enroll in and complete one certificate at a time. Licenses are issued for a defined duration based on expected completion timelines.
Who Can Participate?
- Current UMBC Undergraduate & Graduate Students
- Recent UMBC Alumni
- UMBC Faculty & Staff
No prior experience is needed—just a desire to learn and grow!
Get Started Today!
Don’t miss this opportunity to earn a Google Career Certificate for free and develop the skills needed for your future career.
Visit UMBC’s Google Career Certificates website to explore certificates and enroll today!
Questions? Visit this Contact & Support page for more information.
Posted: February 5, 2026, 2:19 PM
