Registration is now open for Nebraskans to earn educational credentials and advance their careers through the second cycle of the Google Career Certificates program.
The program, which offers training in fields including cybersecurity, IT, data analytics and business intelligence, is open to NU students, alumni of any University of Nebraska campus and Nebraska residents for $20 per enrollment.
Pre-registration for the Google programs is open now. The programs, developed and taught by Google experts and vetted by leading employers, will begin in December, with 2,500 seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. A previous session launched in August, with 700 students from across the state earning certifications. A third session will be held beginning in April.
“The University of Nebraska is proud to partner with Google to bring these transformative learning opportunities to our students, alumni and communities across Nebraska,” said University of Nebraska President Jeffrey P. Gold. “This program reflects our commitment to empowering learners at every stage of life, as well as to supporting the workforce needs of Nebraska industries across our state.”
Under the partnership, students and Nebraskans can enroll in the following Google Career Certificates. The programs prepare learners for entry-level roles, with no experience required, in three to six months of part-time study:
- Cybersecurity
- IT Support
- Data Analytics
- Digital Marketing and E-Commerce
- Project Management
- User Experience (UX) Design
The following advanced certificates are also available, designed for learners with several years of experience or who have completed foundational Google Career Certificates in a related field:
- IT Automation with Python
- Advanced Data Analytics
- Business Intelligence
For current university students, pairing a microcredential such as a Google Career Certificate with their bachelor’s degree program can enhance their skill set and make them more competitive in the job market. A 2023 report from the American Association of Colleges and Universities found strong support among employers for microcredentials, with two-thirds saying they would prefer to hire college graduates with microcredentials for entry-level positions.
Google Career Certificates can benefit alumni and Nebraskans as well by allowing them to swiftly upskill in today’s rapidly evolving workforce. More than 250,000 people in the United States have earned a Google certificate and 75% report a positive career impact, such as a new job, higher pay or promotion, within six months of completion, according to Google research.
The Google partnership is part of a broad strategy at the university to expand access to microcredentials and professional development opportunities to more Nebraskans and support workforce growth in the state. The Google Career Certificates will be offered through NU Advance, the university’s existing platform for online non-credit and professional development courses. Taken together, the growing catalog of learning opportunities available through NU Advance provide significant opportunities for Nebraskans to enhance their competitiveness and mobility in the job market at an affordable cost.
