As SUNY works to demonstrate and ensure the value of a college degree, embedding industry-recognized credentials is an important tool. A 2022 survey conducted by Coursera found that 86% of U.S. students agree that earning an entry-level professional certificate could help them stand out to employers. American employers were also in agreement – with 86% believing industry certifications strengthen a prospective employee’s application.
The first Embedding Industry Credentials cohort was established in 2024-2025 in partnership with the National Association of Systems of Higher Education (NASH) and Google. Eleven campuses joined a Community of Practice moderated by the University of Texas–Arlington and supported in part by the Strada Education Foundation. In this pilot, faculty members integrated content from a wide range of certificate programs – such as UX Design, Project Management, Data Analysis, and Cybersecurity – into graduate and undergraduate courses and programs including Business Management, Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, Marketing, Computer Technology, and IT Support. Pilot offerings began this summer with a more comprehensive rollout in the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 terms.
In the 2025-26 academic year, SUNY will fund a second cohort of campuses to embed industry credentials into multi-disciplinary coursework – with specific emphasis on students in arts, humanities, and social sciences majors.
Thanks to support from the nonprofit Strada Group, and the allocation of SUNY economic mobility funds, SUNY provided one-time funding of up to $50,000 to selected campuses each to participate in this pilot program to embed an industry recognized career credential into a course or program of study. The campuses were also able to participate in a NASH/Google Community of Practice.
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Adirondack has evaluated certificates in AI Essentials, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics (in progress), Project Management (in progress), and IT Support (in progress). The campus is redesigning courses including ECO 101, CIS 135, CIS 233, HOS 193, BUS 102, and BUS 165.
Albany has evaluated certificates in Data Analytics, Project Management, Cybersecurity, and AI Essentials. Course redesign efforts include Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, Cybersecurity, and IST courses.
Alfred the certificates under evaluation include Data Analytics, Project Management, UX Design, Cybersecurity, and AI Essentials. Course redesign includes Business Project Management, an interdisciplinary Data Analytics course, and Global Studies.
Binghamton has evaluated certificates in Cybersecurity and Project Management. Course redesign focuses on CS 458/558, CS 4xx/5xx, CS 402, CS 580B, and INFO 505. These courses are currently being aligned and redesigned for a pilot launch in Fall 2025.
Brockport is evaluating a wide range of certificates, including AI Essentials, Advanced Data Analytics, Business Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, IT Support, Project Management, and UX Design. An intracurricular certification structure is also in development as a co-curricular support strategy.
Farmingdale has reviewed certificates in Cyber Security, Data Analytics, IT Support, and AI Essentials. Courses being redesigned include UNIX, Business Data Management, Digital Systems, Computer Forensics, and AI Management. Departmental review and certificate-to-course crosswalks are currently underway, with implementation expected in Fall 2025.
Finger Lakes Community College has evaluated several Google certificates—including AI Essentials, Prompting Essentials, UX Design, Cybersecurity, IT Support, and Digital Marketing & E-Commerce—for integration into its programs. Co-curricular efforts feature plans to potentially embed it into a new, cost-free First Year Experience course.
Old Westbury has evaluated certificates in AI Essentials, Digital Marketing, Analytics, and UX Design. Course redesigns are focused on the Digital Marketing Seminar, UX, Business Analytics, and AI Essentials. Curriculum preparations are underway for a Fall launch. Pilots will run in Spring and Fall 2025, with a micro-credential proposal in the works for Spring 2026.
Oneonta has evaluated certificates in AI Essentials, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, and Project Management. Course redesigns include incorporating AI Essentials into an AI course, a Cybersecurity elective, a Data Analytics certificate, and a Project Management sequence.
Oswego has reviewed certificates in AI Essentials, Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, and Project Management. Course redesign includes MBA 568, MKT380, and modules for Data Analytics. A pilot is planned for Summer and Fall 2025.
SUNY Poly is pursuing developing custom non-credit Coursera courses that integrate Google certificate content for participants across our partner network with the goal of enabling one-by-one enrollment for individuals without SUNY Poly credentials through personalized invitation links.
We invite proposals from SUNY campuses to join the second cohort of the SUNY NASH/Google Community of Practice (CoP) initiative. Building on the success of the first cohort in which 11 campuses integrated Google’s Grow with Google industry certificates into credit-bearing courses, this next phase aims to expand participation and strengthen the integration of industry-recognized credentials to bridge academic study with workforce needs, with particular emphasis on equipping arts, humanities, and social sciences students with marketable skills. The first cohort piloted curriculum integration, recognition of prior learning, and co-curricular supports, establishing a strong foundation for a scalable, student-centered approach. The second cohort will broaden campus involvement and further enhance professional opportunities for SUNY students in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. SUNY will provide one-time funding of up to $50,000 to each campus selected to participate.
Selected campuses will be allocated $25,000 in January 2026 to support implementation of pilot curricular and co-curricular work. When all benchmarks are achieved, campuses will be eligible in June 2026 for an additional $25,000 to support further implementation of curriculum revisions.
Faculty participants will participate in training provided by SUNY CPD and collaborate with SUNY CPD Instructional Design instructors to document the alignment of course learning outcomes with Grow with Google certificates or other industry recognized credentials, develop a plan for integrating the certificates into course syllabi or program outcomes, and create an assessment plan to measure student achievement of these outcomes.
Proposal Due Date: November 7, 2025
Embedding Industry Credentials into Academic Coursework Program Announcement
NASH/Google Project Cohort 2 Attestation Template 2025
SUNY NASH/Google Humanities and Social Sciences Budget Template 2025
Information Session
Discussion and information session 10 am to explore how faculty could explore strategies for the integration of an industry-recognized credential within a program or course. During this session, we reviewed examples of how such credentials can complement academic learning, enhance students’ career readiness, and strengthen program outcomes in meaningful ways. We’ll also shared updates on available resources, support strategies, and how this initiative connects to broader institutional goals.
October 31, 2025 10 am (recording)
Embedding Industry Credentials Info Session Slides
View the online application here.
For more information, contact Ellen.Gambino@suny.edu.
This program currently allows selected campuses to embed the following Grow with Google Certificates into their coursework to bolster student outcomes and provide a tangible industry credential.
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Google Cybersecurity |
The Google Cybersecurity Certificate teaches learners how to identify common cybersecurity risks, threats, and vulnerabilities, as well as the techniques to mitigate them. |
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Google Data Analytics |
The Google Data Analytics Certificate teaches learners how to prepare, process, and analyze data to help inform business decisions. |
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Google Digital Marketing & E-Commerce |
The Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate teaches learners how to manage digital marketing campaigns, attract and engage customers, and sell products online. |
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Google IT Support |
The Google IT Support Certificate teaches learners the foundations of networking and operating systems or how to solve problems using code. |
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Google Project Management |
The Google Project Management Certificate teaches learners how to manage projects efficiently and effectively, using traditional and agile methods. |
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Google UX Design |
The Google UX Design Certificate teaches learners the foundations of UX design, including empathizing with users, building wireframes and prototypes, and conducting research to test your designs. |
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Google Advanced Data Analytics* |
The Google Advanced Data Analytics Certificate teaches learners how to use machine learning, predictive modeling, and experimental design to collect and analyze large amounts of data. |
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Google Business Intelligence* |
The Google Business Intelligence Certificate teaches learners how to create processes and information channels that transform data into actionable insights to inform business decisions. |
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Google IT Automation with Python* |
The Google IT Automation with Python Certificate is for learners familiar with basic IT concepts. This stackable credential helps IT professionals build in-demand skills including Python, Git, and IT automation. |
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Google Prompting Essentials |
Google Prompting Essentials is a course that helps people effectively prompt gen AI tools in 5 easy steps, to save time and simplify complex tasks. |
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Google AI Essentials |
Google AI Essentials is a self-paced course designed to help people across roles and industries get essential AI skills to boost their productivity, zero experience required. The course is taught by AI experts at Google who are working to make the technology helpful for everyone. |
*Advanced certificates
For more information about this program, contact Ellen.Gambino@suny.edu.