University System of Maryland and Google Announce Partnership to Bring Google Career Certificates and AI Training to Thousands of Learners
Partnership will help amplify USM’s role in upskilling Maryland’s current and future workforces
Baltimore, Md. (June 17, 2025) – The University System of Maryland (USM) and Google announced a new partnership today that will help thousands of USM students and other Maryland learners earn Google Career Certificates in high-growth fields including cybersecurity, data analytics, and project management at no cost. USM will also offer learners Google’s new AI courses, designed and taught by AI experts at Google to teach foundational skills in artificial intelligence technology. All 12 of USM’s public universities and two of its regional higher education centers will offer this training.
The partnership comes at an opportune time for USM in amplifying its role in preparing learners for an AI-focused economy. By offering the Google Career Certificates program, USM is also providing learners access to industry-recognized credentials in high-demand fields, which can help boost learners’ career readiness across many different sectors.
Keeping pace with in-demand skills has become a defining factor in workforce readiness. A recent industry report found that 96% of a global sample of employers reported that micro-credentials strengthened a candidate’s job application, and 9 in 10 said they were willing to offer micro-credential holders a higher starting salary. In the realm of AI, 75% of these employers said they would hire a less experienced candidate with a GenAI credential over someone more experienced without one, illustrating GenAI’s impact on hiring decisions (Micro-Credentials Impact Report, Coursera, 2025).
“We’re excited to partner with Google, one of the most trusted leaders in industry certificates. This collaboration will boost the career readiness of our learners across the System and give them an undeniable competitive edge,” said USM Chancellor Jay A. Perman. “It supports our vision for the future of higher education and the critical role the USM plays in upskilling and reskilling Maryland’s workforce—never more important than right now.”
The USM-Google partnership will have a special emphasis on bringing Google Career Certificates and AI courses to active military, veteran, and military family learners. This unique emphasis recognizes USM’s long-standing commitment to these learner populations, which recently culminated in six USM universities being cited as “Best for Vets” by the Military Times, which looked at student success metrics, availability of military-specific resources, and financial assistance, among other factors, in developing its rankings. Only 300 institutions were recognized nationally.
"Google is thrilled to partner with the University System of Maryland to bring Google Career Certificates and AI Essentials courses to thousands of learners, active military, and veterans across the state," said Lisa Gevelber, Founder, Grow with Google. “This collaboration is a significant step in equipping Maryland’s current and future workforce with skills needed for an increasingly digital economy.”
Google Career Certificates can be completed within three to six months of part-time study, with no experience required. Designed and taught by Google employees, each certificate includes 100+ practice and graded assessments, quizzes, or writing assignments to ensure rigor and mastery. Students who complete the program gain access to our employer consortium of more than 150 companies – including Booz Allen Hamilton, Siemens, and of course, Google – committed to considering certificate graduates for relevant roles. More than 1 million people globally have graduated from the Google Career Certificate program, and over 70% report positive career outcomes within six months of completion, such as a new job, promotion, or raise.
“This partnership signals the value of blending robust degree programs with recognized industry training and extending opportunities for lifelong learning,” said Delegate Stephanie M. Smith, Chair of the Education & Economic Development Subcommittee within the Maryland House of Delegates. “Partnering with the System to coordinate this effort will ensure that Google’s Career Certificates and AI courses reach Marylanders far and wide.”
Several schools in the system, including the University of Maryland, College Park and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, also have provided access to Gemini App—Google's generative AI with enhanced security and privacy, included with Workspace for Education at no cost. Students and educators can use Gemini to assist in learning across various subjects.
"What an exciting day for Maryland,” said U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.). “This partnership between the University System of Maryland and Google is designed to support thousands of Maryland students, create opportunities to learn artificial intelligence technology, and spur innovation. As our state continues to lead the nation in technology and higher education, this partnership advances Maryland's leadership in AI and cybersecurity.”
About the University System of Maryland
The USM comprises 12 institutions: Bowie State University; Coppin State University; Frostburg State University; Salisbury University; Towson University; the University of Baltimore; the University of Maryland, Baltimore; the University of Maryland, Baltimore County; the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science; the University of Maryland, College Park; the University of Maryland Eastern Shore; and the University of Maryland Global Campus. The USM also includes three regional centers—the Universities at Shady Grove, the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown, and the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland—at which USM universities offer upper-division undergraduate and graduate courses.
USM universities and programs are among the nation’s best in quality and value according to several national rankings. Learn more about the University System of Maryland and our strategic plan, Vision 2030: From Excellence to Preeminence.
About Grow with Google
Grow with Google started in 2017 to help Americans grow their skills, careers and businesses. It provides training, tools and expertise to help small business owners, veterans and military families, jobseekers and students, educators, startups and developers. Since Grow with Google’s inception, it has helped more than twelve million Americans develop new skills. Grow with Google has a network of more than 9,000 partner organizations like libraries, schools, small business development centers, chambers of commerce and nonprofits to help people coast-to-coast.
Contact: Mike Lurie
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: mlurie@usmd.edu
