U-M students can enroll through Michigan Online for free access to job-ready, in-demand skill-building courses

Sean Corp, Communications Lead

The University of Michigan Center for Academic Innovation and Google are partnering to provide access to Google Career Certificates and AI Essentials courses at no cost to students enrolled at all three Michigan campuses: UM-Ann Arbor, UM-Dearborn, and UM-Flint. 

More than 66,500 University of Michigan students now have free access to Google Career Certificates, which have provided over one million people globally with job-ready and in-demand skills in areas such as cybersecurity, data analytics, digital marketing, UX design, and project management. Students will also receive access to Google’s AI and Promoting Essentials courses to learn AI skills.  

Designed and taught by Google employees, with input from top employers, each Google Career Certificate includes rigorous tests of mastery. Google’s AI and Prompting Essentials courses teach foundational AI skills, AI best practices, and how to use AI responsibly. These trainings will complement access U-M faculty and students already have to AI tools like U-M GPT and Maizey, and Google’s Gemini and NotebookLM.

Interested U-M students must enroll via Michigan Online using their U-M credentials to access these opportunities at no cost. It is only valid for currently enrolled U-M students across its three campuses. 

Google Career Certificates join more than 280 open online courses and series created by U-M faculty in partnership with the Center for Academic Innovation and thousands of open online courses created by other universities—all available at no cost to students through Michigan Online. 

Google and U-M are leaders within industry and education in their commitment to providing life-changing education to learners, said James DeVaney, special advisor on academic innovation to U-M’s president, founding executive director of the center, and associate vice provost of academic innovation.

“This partnership represents a powerful step forward in preparing U-M students to lead and thrive in a dynamic global workforce. A Michigan degree plus additional, career-relevant open online courses and Google Career Certificates available at no cost through Michigan Online are a truly unbeatable combination,” DeVaney said. 

Previously, Google and the center partnered to provide an open online course series to complement Google’s Data Analytics Certificate. “Data Analytics in the Public Sector with R,” taught by Chris Brooks, associate professor of information at the School of Information, and Paula Lantz, the James B. Hudak Professor of Health Policy at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, provides learners with applied data analytics skills relevant to careers in the public sector. 

“Google is proud to offer our Google Career Certificates as part of our continued partnership with U-M and the Center for Academic Innovation,” said Lisa Gevelber, founder of Grow with Google. “Through this partnership, we’re advancing our work to enable U-M students to enter the workforce with the skills employers are looking for and accelerate their career potential.”   

The addition of the certificates and courses to Michigan Online represents a deepening commitment to supporting Michigan students across the state.

“This partnership between Google and the University of Michigan gives our students across all three campuses access to the real-world skills they need to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving economy,” said Michigan State Senator John Cherry. “Whether it’s AI, data analytics, or digital marketing, these certificates build a bridge between classroom learning and career opportunity. I’m excited for all the students at our Flint campus and those at the Ann Arbor and Dearborn campuses who will together continue to be at the forefront of innovation.”

“Expanding access to high-demand tech training—at no cost—is a game changer, especially for students in communities I represent like Flint,” said Michigan State Representative Cynthia Neeley. “This initiative helps level the playing field and ensures that every U-M student, no matter their background, can graduate with both a degree and industry-recognized skills.”

To learn more about the Google Career Certificates and Essentials courses, visit Michigan Online’s Google Career Certificate page.