Google Career Certificates

8 hours (7-course series): Learn how to work effectively with AI tools by treating them as professional collaborators rather than simple task executors. Build a clear understanding of how AI works and how to apply it responsibly across real workplace scenarios in communication, research, and data analysis. Use “vibe coding” to create simple, custom AI-powered apps that solve everyday work challenges - no prior coding experience required.

6-Month IT Training (10 hrs/week | 5 courses): Build hands-on skills in troubleshooting, networking, system administration, and security—designed to prepare you for entry-level IT support roles. Practical, Job-Ready Skills: Learn to perform day-to-day IT support tasks, including computer assembly, wireless networking, software installation, and delivering excellent customer service. Develop the ability to diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve issues using tools and systems such as Linux, DNS, command-line interfaces, and binary code.

6-Month Data Analytics Program (10 hrs/week | 8 courses): Build job-ready skills in data cleaning, analysis, and visualization to prepare for entry-level data analyst roles. Hands-On Analytical Tools & Techniques: Gain practical experience with spreadsheets, SQL, Python, R, and Tableau while learning how to clean, organize, and analyze data effectively. Learn to transform data into actionable insights by creating dashboards, visualizations, and presentations using industry-standard platforms.

6-Month UX Design Program (10 hrs/week | 7 courses): Learn to design user-centered digital experiences and prepare for entry-level UX and interaction design roles. Master the End-to-End Design Process: Develop skills in UX research, user interviews, usability testing, wireframing, prototyping, and iterative design, grounded in accessibility and equity-focused design principles. Complete end-to-end projects and create a professional UX portfolio that showcases your process and prepares you to apply for UX roles with confidence.

6-Month Project Management Program (10 hrs/week | 6 courses): Build the foundational skills needed to succeed in entry-level project coordinator and project management roles. Master Core Methodologies & Tools: Learn project planning, Agile methodology, and Scrum. Develop strategic communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills through hands-on, real-world scenarios.

6-Month Python & IT Automation Program (10 hrs/week | 6 courses): Build in-demand programming and automation skills to support system administration, cloud management, and large-scale IT operations. Automate & Optimize with Python: Write Python scripts to streamline tasks, manage IT resources across physical and virtual machines, and troubleshoot efficiently at scale. Use Git and GitHub for version control while analyzing real-world IT challenges and implementing effective technical solutions.

6-Month Digital Marketing & E-Commerce Program (10 hrs/week | 7 courses): Build job-ready skills to launch your career in digital marketing and e-commerce. Attract, Engage & Convert Customers: Learn to drive growth through search, email, social media, and e-commerce strategies while building and managing online stores. Analyze marketing performance using analytics tools, present actionable insights, and develop strategies to increase sales and customer loyalty.

6-Month Data Analytics Program (10 hrs/week | 7 courses): Designed for Google Data Analytics Certificate graduates, this program builds on foundational skills to prepare you for more advanced analytics roles. Master Predictive & Machine Learning Techniques: Learn regression modeling, machine learning, and experimental design to analyze large datasets and generate deeper insights. Strengthen hands-on skills using Python, Jupyter Notebook, and Tableau to perform advanced analysis and present data-driven recommendations.

2-Month Business Intelligence Program (10 hrs/week | 4 courses): Explore the role of BI professionals and build the practical skills needed to support data-driven decision-making within organizations. Master Data Modeling & ETL Processes: Learn to design data models and perform extract, transform, and load (ETL) processes that align with business goals. Create impactful visualizations and dashboards that clearly communicate data insights and answer key business questions.

6-Month Cybersecurity Program (7 hrs/week | 8 courses): Build job-ready skills to protect organizations from cyber threats and prepare for entry-level cybersecurity and security analyst roles. Identify & Mitigate Security Risks: Learn to recognize common risks, threats, and vulnerabilities while applying strategies to prevent and reduce cyberattacks. Gain practical experience using SIEM tools, along with Python, Linux, and SQL to monitor, analyze, and secure networks, devices, and data.

(Approx. 8 Hours) Learn to effectively use generative AI tools to support content creation, research, and decision-making in everyday work tasks. Master Prompting Techniques: Write clear, targeted prompts to generate high-quality outputs such as summaries, taglines, and other creative or analytical content. Understand AI limitations and biases, apply responsible usage practices, and develop strategies to keep pace with the evolving AI landscape.

(Approx. 9 Hours): Build practical skills in writing effective prompts to get high-quality outputs from generative AI tools for everyday work tasks. Apply Structured Prompting Techniques: Learn a 5-step prompting framework to improve the clarity, accuracy, and usefulness of AI-generated responses. Use prompting strategies to accelerate data analysis and quickly create presentations and other workplace deliverables.

Build foundational leadership skills focused on setting goals, improving team performance, and supporting career growth. Set Goals & Drive Results: Learn to establish SMART goals, communicate expectations clearly, and align your team around measurable outcomes. Develop effective coaching and feedback skills while fostering a culture of open communication, learning, and continuous improvement.

(Approx. 4 Weeks | 3 hrs/week): Build essential skills in stakeholder management, communication planning, and leadership to support successful project delivery. Define Roles & Manage Accountability: Learn stakeholder analysis techniques and use RACI charts to clearly define responsibilities and improve project organization. Develop strategies for effective communication, inclusive team leadership, and influencing stakeholders to achieve project goals. 

(Approx. 4 Weeks | 3 hrs/week): Build foundational Python programming skills for professional data workflows, including syntax, functions, loops, and data structures. Work with Real-World Data: Apply exploratory data analysis techniques to clean datasets and uncover meaningful insights using practical problem-solving approaches. Gain hands-on experience with NumPy, pandas, and Jupyter Notebooks to write clean, efficient Python code for data manipulation and analysis.

(Approx. 4 Weeks | 5 hrs/week): Learn how to attract, engage, and retain customers through targeted digital marketing and e-commerce strategies. Build Personas & Drive Conversions: Develop customer personas and apply marketing funnel strategies to improve acquisition and conversion rates. Design and analyze social media and email campaigns, strengthen customer relationships, and improve e-commerce experiences through checkout optimization and loyalty programs.

(Approx. 4 Weeks | 5 hrs/week): Build foundational skills in network architecture, security protocols, and incident response to defend against modern cyber threats. Analyze & Investigate Security Events: Gain hands-on experience using industry tools like Wireshark and Splunk to monitor network traffic and investigate security incidents. Learn to detect vulnerabilities, respond to incidents, and apply system hardening techniques to secure networks and cloud environments.

(Approx. 4 Weeks | 5 hrs/week): Build practical skills in structured thinking, data integrity, and ethical decision-making for real-world business challenges. Leverage AI for Analysis & Presentations: Use AI tools responsibly to accelerate data analysis and create clear, impactful presentations. Strengthen your ability to translate analysis into actionable insights and communicate findings effectively to stakeholders.

(Approx. 8 Hours | 4 Courses): Discover your skills and explore new career paths using AI-powered tools like Career Dreamer. Organize & Strengthen Your Applications: Use Google Sheets to track applications, build a structured job search plan, and create a standout resume with support from Gemini. Practice answering interview questions and build confidence using tools like NotebookLM and Gemini Live to refine your responses.

There is no cost to participants. Cal Poly Pomona students, faculty, staff, alumni, and qualifying community partners can access the full catalog of Google Career Certificates and specializations at no charge through the NASH-Google initiative.

Most professional certificates take approximately six months at 7 to 10 hours per week. Specialization courses are shorter, typically ranging from 6 to 12 hours total. All programs are self-paced, so you can adjust the timeline to fit your schedule.

No. Most Google Career Certificates are designed for beginners and require no prior experience. A few advanced programs, such as Google Advanced Data Analytics and Google Business Intelligence, build on skills from the Google Data Analytics Certificate.

Yes. Google Career Certificates are designed in partnership with employers and accepted by over 150 companies, including Google, as qualifying credentials for entry-level roles.

Professional certificates are multi-course programs (typically 3 to 8 courses) designed to prepare you for a specific career field. Specializations are shorter, focused courses that build targeted skills in areas like AI, management, or data analysis. Learners will earn a certificate after completing the professional certificate, and learners will earn a micro-badge after completing a specialization course.