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Google Certificates FAQ

The Texas State University System has worked with Google to provide free access — for a limited time only — to the Google Career Certificate Program. TSUS recognizes the opportunity these certificates can provide both students and employees. Even though learners do not need a degree to obtain a certificate, the program can be an excellent resource for college graduates. They can supplement bachelor's degrees by providing graduates with additional skills that increase their entry-level earning potential and employment opportunities. They can also add skills to current employees’ skillsets, enabling them to prepare for current and future opportunities at the university, professionalize the workforce, and increase the standard of living for all. This is also a way to assist family members with obtaining viable, up-to-date skills that can increase earning potential in entry level, on-demand jobs after graduation.

According to one study (Emsi Burning Glass, Jan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020), learners in fields as diverse as history, psychology, business, English, and sociology have increased their entry-level salary by anywhere from 29% to 38% (depending on the certificate) by completing one of the Google Certificate programs.

General Questions

  • What is the Google Career Certificates Program?

    The Texas State University System (TSUS) has partnered with Grow with Google to provide access to Google’s Career Certificates. Google's career certificate programs offer training in fields such as data analytics, IT support, project management, and user experience design based on practical experience. From Grow with Google’s website: “The Google Career Certificate program is an online training program that offers professional certificates in fast-growing, high-demand technology fields. The program is designed by Google and taught by experts in the areas of IT, user experience design, project management, and more. It combines skills training with hands-on practice.”

    • Providing Professional Development Opportunities: Higher education institutions are using Google Certificates to provide professional development opportunities for faculty and staff. These certificates can help employees stay up to date on the latest technologies and teaching methods, enhance career prospects, and increase earning potential.
    • Helping college graduates get jobs: These certificates can supplement bachelor's degrees by providing graduates with additional skills that increase their entry-level earning potential and employment opportunities. Even though learners do not need a degree to obtain a certificate, the program can be an excellent resource for college graduates.
  • What kinds of certificates are offered?

    Data Analytics, Project Management, Digital Marketing, IT Support, IT Automation, and UX Design are all part of the free access. SHSU Online is adding registration links for courses in these certificate programs as quickly as possible. The courses were designed by Google to teach you specific job-ready skills in fields like IT support, data analytics, project management, and user experience (UX) design. These certificates are developed by Google and can help you kickstart your career in tech. For a limited time, you can complete an entire Google Certificate for free at SHSU. Time spent on task will count towards your annual professional development hours.

  • Do I need to have any background knowledge to take the training?

    No prior experience, education, or knowledge is required. Anyone who is interested in learning, upskilling, or looking to transition to a new role can complete the certificates. Google Career Certificates are accessible to people with varying levels of experience, including beginners.

  • How much does the program cost?

    The certificate program is free through December 2024 (latest recommended registration date is September 2024 in order to leave time to complete the full series of courses in a certificate). Google Career Certificates are offered through Coursera, which normally charges a fee of $49 per month. Depending on how long it takes a learner to finish the certificate, the free licenses could save learners hundreds of dollars over the course of the certificate program.

  • Are these courses really free?

    Yes, the google certificate courses are free to you for a limited time (through December 2024). To access these courses, you will need to register and create an account through SHSU Online’s registration website.

  • How long will the program be offered for free?

    The certificate program is free through December 2024 (latest recommended registration date is September 2024 in order to leave time to complete the full series of courses in a certificate).

  • Who should I contact if I have any questions?

    For Technical Support, the SHSU Online Support Desk is open 24/7, providing technical and troubleshooting support for any work you do on Blackboard, which is where you would access your Google Certificate content. You can contact the support desk at 936.294.2780 or blackboard@shsu.edu. The SHSU Human Resources office Professional Development team can assist you with any questions you may have about training credits and documenting your hours in Talent Management. Google often provides access to career resources and networking opportunities to connect you with other certificate completers.

  • Is this similar to the Zeus program that the Texas State University System offers?
    The TSUS Zeus project is a Governor’s Emergency Educational Relief Fund grant project between TXST and SHSU faculty. The Google certificate program is not related to Zeus.

Getting Started/Who Has Access

How It Works

  • How are the courses offered?

    Google Career Certificates are offered completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access the instructional videos, readings, and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

    • The courses are offered through the online learning platform Coursera, which has worked with Google to make the courses available on their platform. SHSU Online has set up an online registration page to gain access to the catalog of free courses.
    • SHSU’s Human Resources, which manages the Staff Professional Development Program at SHSU, has authorized courses taken through the Google Career Certificate program to count toward staff employees’ annual professional development requirement.
  • How long does it take to finish a Google certificate program?

    All Google Career Certificates are self-paced. The time it takes to complete a Google Career Certificate varies depending on the program and your pace of study. You can work through the courses at your own speed. At about 10 hours of study per week, many learners can complete a certificate in three to six months.

  • How do I fit this into my schedule?

    The online, self-paced format of the courses is a plus. They are designed to be flexible, allowing learners to balance their studies with work or other commitments. This accessibility makes it easier for individuals to upskill or reskill without disrupting their current professional or personal lives.

  • Are these “real” courses?

    Absolutely. Google Career Certificates, offered through Coursera, are akin to industry certifications.

    • They are designed to be completed in about six months with a commitment of approximately 10 hours per week.
    • Some universities accept Google Certificates for continuing education units (CEUs), and professional development (PD) hours.
    • The professional certificates have earned a recommendation from the American Council on Education (ACE®) for academic credit (note that SHSU is not currently participating in the granting of academic credit for certificate completion).
    • SHSU Human Resources Learning Academies accepts the hours earned for the Google Career Certificates for the Staff Professional Development program’s annual professional development requirements. These hours would need to be entered into Talent Management as external credit. Please see the tutorial for how to enter external credit on your transcript.

    Here is an example of how many credits learners could earn:

    • For a 240-hour long industry training program, a typical professional development credit and CEU allocation would be as follows:
    • Continuing Education Units (CEUs) - 24 CEUs
    • Professional Development Hours - 240 PD Hours
    • The general calculation is:
    • 1 CEU = 10 contact hours
    • 1 PD Hour = 1 hour of instructional content
    • So, for a 240-hour industry training:
    • CEUs: 240 hours / 10 hours per CEU = 24 CEUs
    • PD Hours: 1 PD Hour per hour of instruction = 240 PD Hours

    This provides a reasonable estimate for initial credit planning, subject to approval by the granting organization.

  • How do I pass?

    To earn your Certificate, you’ll need to earn a passing grade on each of the required assignments—these can be quizzes, peer-graded assignments, or programming assignments. Videos, readings, and practice exercises are there to help you prepare for the graded assignments.

  • Can I re-attempt an assignment?

    Yes. If you want to improve your grade, you can always try again. If you’re re-attempting a peer-graded assignment, re-submit your work as soon as you can to make sure there’s enough time for your classmates to review your work. In some cases, you may need to wait before re-submitting a programming assignment or quiz. We encourage you to review the learning material during this delay.

  • What do start dates and end dates mean?

    Once you enroll, you’ll have access to all videos, readings, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). If you don’t finish all graded assignments before the end of the session, you can reset your deadlines. Your progress will be saved, and you’ll be able to pick up where you left off.

  • What are due dates?

    Is there a penalty for submitting your work after a due date? Within a course, there are suggested due dates to help you manage your schedule and keep work from piling up. Quizzes and programming assignments can be submitted late without consequence. However, it is possible that you won't receive a grade if you submit your peer-graded assignment too late because classmates usually review assignments within three days of the assignment deadline.

What You Get

  • What can I expect after I complete a certification program?

    After you complete a Google Career Certificate, you will gain access to CareerCircle, which offers free 1-on-1 coaching, interview and career support, and a job board to connect directly with employers, including over 150 companies in the Google Career Certificates Employer Consortium. You will also gain access to career resources like coaching sessions, mock interviews, and a resume builder tool.

  • Will this really help me build my skills?

    Coursera Google Certificates can be a game-changer for someone's career for a few reasons. The certificates provide practical, hands-on experience in key areas relevant to today's tech-driven job market. Whether it's data analytics, project management, digital marketing, IT support, or IT automation these certificates offer tangible skills that employers are actively seeking.

    Moreover, these certificates are backed by Google, a tech giant known for its innovation and industry leadership. This association adds credibility to your resume and signals to employers that you've been trained in cutting-edge technologies and methodologies.

  • Is this relevant to my career?

    Many of the Google certificates are recognized by industry partners and can be a steppingstone to more advanced programs or degrees. This creates a clear pathway for career progression, giving learners the opportunity to continually enhance their skills and stay relevant in a rapidly evolving job market. Coursera Google Certificates combine practical skills, industry recognition, and flexibility, making them a valuable asset for anyone looking to boost their career.