Google offers certificate programs as a substitute for a degree
Google recently unveiled its latest project that will compete in the world of education with the launch of its new certificate programs. This program is designed to help people gain qualifications for high-growth and high-paying job fields with no college degree necessary.
The new Google certificate programs offer an alternative to seeking a college degree that requires less time and money compared to a traditional college education. Google says a majority of enrollees will finish the certificate program in six months or less with an affordable price of $240 for U.S. students.
New Google Career Certificates are here! 🎉 Learn how these flexible, online training programs will help learners access pathways to in-demand jobs in high-growth fields, no degree required. https://t.co/upeAcYgVXs #GrowWithGoogle pic.twitter.com/ROxLG7FCS9
— Google for Education (@GoogleForEdu) March 11, 2021
There are three Google Career Certificates through Coursera in user experience (UX) design, project management, and data analytics as well as a new Associate Developer Certification course. Google will be offering over 100,000 need-based scholarships to help new students and is working in partnership with over 130 employers to hire graduates of the certification program.
Along with offering the new certification programs, Google is adding a Search feature to help people find jobs according to education level with options including no experience and no degree. Google decided to launch the new program as the shift to digital education was accelerated by the global COVID-19 pandemic and the increased demand for digital jobs.
Google realized there was a skills gap in this transition and wanted to create a solution to help many Americans looking for work. Google launched the Google IT Support Professional Certificate program on Coursera in 2018 and noticed a high percentage of students from nontraditional backgrounds.
We’re excited to announce the launch of 3 new Google Career Certificates on @Coursera to equip learners with the digital skills for jobs in Project Management, Data Analysis and UX Design.
Find out more – https://t.co/On3qcNoD1a#RiseUp #GoogleCareerCertificates #GrowWithGoogle pic.twitter.com/EJNU99XMO7
— Google in Africa (@googleafrica) March 11, 2021
The students of the certificate program included 46 percent being in the lowest-income bracket, reporting less than $30,000 annual income, and many not having a degree. This data and the certificate program provided the demand of expanding Google’s certificate programs.
All the new certificate programs are available on Coursera and all students will need to enroll to take the new programs. The programs are based on assessments to prove someone can do the job making the fast track courses more difficult to pass with more than 100 assessments for each course.
Google’s certificate program has already proved successful over the last three years since launching in 2018 becoming the number one certificate on Coursera. Google developed the new courses with a behavioral science team, course designers, and Coursera for an efficient course program.
