The University of Michigan is among the top public universities in the United States and has one of the largest alumni bases, with nearly 700,000 members, of any institution of higher education. Whether an alum graduated five or 50 years ago, the pace of technological change means the U-M community is looking to learn and acquire new skills. 

In partnership with Google through its AI for Education Accelerator program and U-M’s Center for Academic Innovation, those who are proud to call U-M home — current faculty, staff, students and alumni of all three campuses — can now access Google Career Certificates and Google Essentials courses at no cost. 

Google’s certificate and essentials courses cover training in a variety of highly in-demand skills, including artificial intelligence tools, data analytics, information technology, digital marketing, project management, user experience design, and cybersecurity. All online courses are taught by experts within Google who work in these fields on a daily basis.

“One of the most powerful roles a public university can play is expanding access to opportunity. Extending no-cost access to these credentials for nearly 700,000 alumni, alongside our students, faculty, and staff, reflects Michigan’s responsibility to support learning at every stage of life,” said James DeVaney, founding executive director of the center and the associate vice provost of academic innovation. 

“Through this partnership, we are providing our community practical, industry-informed tools that complement the critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills that define a University of Michigan education.”

Google’s interest in making an impact in education has always been about bringing opportunities to people that Google is best equipped to deliver. It also seeks to ensure its offerings work in partnership with the important and rigorous education happening at U-M and public institutions.

“The most powerful combination is the human skills you teach and the technology skills we build together,” Lisa Gevelber, founder of Grow with Google and University of Michigan alumna, said when visiting campus as the keynote speaker at U-M’s Online Learning Showcase in October.

The educational partnership between Google and the Center for Academic Innovation began in May, when they announced more than 65,000 students enrolled at U-M’s campuses in Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint had no-cost access to the Google credentials. In the fall, that access was expanded to U-M staff and faculty. Not long after, discussions arose about potentially expanding access to the U-M alumni network, which spans the globe. 

“Lifelong learning is consistently one of the most important priorities for our alumni, and this partnership is a powerful new resource,” said Ayanna McConnell, president and CEO of the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan. “By providing these transformative educational opportunities, we’re helping Wolverines everywhere nurture new skills and adapt to change. 

“A favorite phrase in the Alumni Association is ‘curiosity never graduates,’ and this collaboration truly embodies that spirit — empowering our global U-M community to keep asking questions, growing, and thriving.”

To gain access, users must have a valid University of Michigan uniqname and email address. To learn more about Google Career Certificates and Essentials courses and to enroll, visit the Grow with Google page on Michigan Online. 

Google reports that 75% of those who complete certificate courses experience a positive career outcome within six months, and the median salary within certificate fields is $96,000. The learning opportunities include short courses designed to be completed within 10 hours to gain valuable career competencies in subjects such as AI, people management, and agile project management. 

There are also career certificates designed to be completed in months in subjects such as IT, UX design, digital marketing, and project management, and advanced certificates to learn a deeper mastery of skills in data analytics, business intelligence, and IT automation with Python.

These certificates join more than 300 open online courses taught by U-M faculty available at no cost to students, faculty, staff, and alumni on Michigan Online.