As part of USG鈥檚 commitment to digital skill development and workforce readiness, faculty members can integrate Google Career Certificates into their courses to provide students with industry-recognized credentials that complement their academic studies.
Why Should Faculty Consider Using Google Career Certificates?
- Bridges Academic Learning & Industry Skills 鈥 These certificates align with in-demand technical and professional competencies that are highly valued by employers.
- Enhances Student Employability 鈥 Students graduate not only with a degree but also an industry-recognized credential that can boost their job applications and resumes.
- Supports Career-Ready Learning Outcomes 鈥 The certificates are designed to align with real-world skills, such as data visualization, project management, cybersecurity, UX design, and digital marketing.
- Flexible & Self-Paced Learning 鈥 Students can complete certificate coursework alongside their academic studies, making it an adaptable supplement to your curriculum.
- No Cost to Students 鈥 Through USG鈥檚 partnership with Google, students can access these certificates for free鈥攁 valuable professional development opportunity.
How Faculty Can Use These Certificates in Their Courses
- Supplemental Learning: Assign specific certificate modules as additional learning resources to reinforce course topics.
- Course Assignments: Have students apply what they鈥檝e learned in a certificate module to a research paper, case study, or hands-on project.
- Extra Credit or Alternative Assignments: Offer students the option to complete a certificate or selected modules for extra credit.
- Capstone & Portfolio Integration: Allow students to use certificate projects as capstone work, portfolio artifacts, or professional development deliverables.
- Career Readiness Initiatives: Encourage students to add their certificates to LinkedIn, resumes, and job applications as part of career planning.
Syllabus Statements
Option 1: Encouraging Students to Earn a Certificate (Standalone Recommendation)
鈥淎s part of this course, you have the opportunity to earn a Google Career Certificate in [relevant field, e.g., Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, UX Design, etc.]. This industry-recognized credential is offered at no cost through USG and is designed to help you build job-ready skills that align with your coursework. While not required, completing this certificate can provide you with valuable hands-on experience and a digital credential that can enhance your resume and LinkedIn profile.鈥
Share this helpful link with students so they can learn more and enroll.
Option 2: Embedding a Certificate as Part of Course Requirements
鈥淎s part of this course, you will complete portions of the [Google Career Certificate Name] to supplement your learning. This certificate provides hands-on experience with [e.g., data analysis, project management, cybersecurity techniques] and aligns with the skills covered in this course. Completion of the certificate modules will be integrated into your coursework and may be used for assignments, projects, or extra credit.鈥
Please contact Mary Lang, Chief Strategy Officer, at mlang4@umd.edu to ensure there are enough seats reserved for your course in Fall 2026 if you choose to make a certificate a course requirement.