Google Enters Higher Ed in a Big Way
December 14, 2021
Ray Schroeder
With lightning speed by higher ed standards, Google has conceived and launched a number of career certificate programs. In just two years, they have gone from concept to credential programs in IT support, data analytics, project management, UX design and Android development.
Google advertises that these certificate programs require 10 hours of study a week and can be completed in six months:
The IT Support, User Experience Design, Project Management and Data Analytics Certificates cost $39 per month by subscription on Coursera. Access to the Google Associate Android Developer Certification training is free and the official exam fee of $149 is paid to Trueability to administer the exam. Google does not generate any revenue from Google Career Certificates and has made need-based financial assistance available.
Kent Walker, senior vice president for global affairs at Google, said as the plan was announced, “In our own hiring, we will now treat these new career certificates as the equivalent of a four-year degree for related roles.”
Google has built a consortium of companies that give preferential treatment to the career certificate holders:
The Google Career Certificates Employer Consortium consists of over 150 U.S. companies like Deloitte, Infosys, Snap Inc., Target, Verizon, and of course, Google. These companies span multiple sectors and are committed to considering Google Career Certificate graduates for entry-level jobs. Upon completion of a Google Career Certificate, you will gain access to an exclusive job platform where you can easily apply to opportunities from employers with open jobs.
Further, their success rate in advancing careers, as reported by completers, is impressive: “Eighty-two percent of Google IT Support Professional Certificate completers in the U.S. report a positive career outcome like a new job, enhanced skills, promotion, or raise within 6 months.”
Meanwhile, Google recently announced that it is sharing its certificate programs with all community colleges in the U.S., and the curriculum has been reviewed and recommended for credit by the American Council on Education.
