AI Essentials Professional Certificate Program
100% Online
Hands-on, beginner-friendly learning
250K+ Alumni worldwide
Become a member of NU’s global community
Self-paced
On-demand format with interactive assessments
Take the first step in your National University Journey
Certificate Fee: $378
Turn AI Into Your Most Valuable Productivity Tool
Artificial intelligence is changing how we work and knowing how to use it effectively is quickly becoming an essential workplace skill. The AI Essentials Professional Certificate combines Google AI Essentials and Google Prompting Essentials to help you build a strong foundation in generative AI while learning practical techniques for getting better results from today’s leading AI tools.
Through hands-on learning and real-world applications, you’ll discover how to use AI to boost productivity, streamline workflows, create content, analyze information, and solve problems more efficiently. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your current skill set, explore new career opportunities, or simply work smarter, this beginner-friendly program will help you confidently and responsibly apply AI in your everyday work.
Complete both courses to earn the AI Essentials Professional Certificate or enroll in either course individually based on your learning goals.
Certificate Fee: $378
Learning Outcomes
Complete Google AI Essentials and Google Prompting Essentials to earn the AI Essentials Professional Certificate and build practical AI skills you can apply immediately in nearly any profession.
By completing the certificate program, you’ll be able to:
- Build a strong foundation in artificial intelligence and generative AI
- Identify opportunities to apply AI across personal and professional tasks
- Improve productivity by incorporating AI into everyday workflows
- Design, test, and refine prompts that generate more accurate and relevant responses
- Evaluate AI-generated content for quality, accuracy, and potential limitations
- Apply AI responsibly with an understanding of ethics, bias, privacy, and human impact
- Communicate confidently with technical and nontechnical audiences
Choose Your Learning Path
Whether you’re interested in earning the full certificate or focusing on a specific skill, you can choose the option that best fits your goals.
AI Essentials Professional Certificate
Complete both courses to earn the AI Essentials Professional Certificate and develop a well-rounded foundation in AI and prompt engineering.
Includes:
- Google AI Essentials
- Google Prompting Essentials
Certificate Fee: $378
Google AI Essentials – Course 1
Build a strong foundation in artificial intelligence and learn how to confidently use AI tools in everyday work.
- Introduction to artificial intelligence and generative AI fundamentals
- Understanding how AI tools work and where they can be applied
- Using AI to improve productivity in everyday work tasks
- Evaluating AI outputs for accuracy, usefulness, and limitations
- Practicing responsible AI use, including ethics, bias, and privacy considerations
Course Fee: $189
Google Prompting Essentials – Course 2
Learn how to communicate more effectively with AI by creating prompts that generate clearer, more accurate, and more useful results.
- Foundations of effective prompt writing for generative AI tools
- Structured prompting techniques to improve AI responses
- Iterating and refining prompts to achieve better results
- Using AI for writing, analysis, brainstorming, and problem-solving tasks
- Applying prompting skills across real-world workplace scenarios
Course Fee: $189
Frequently Asked Questions
Students can register and start the certificate anytime! Click here to register.
Students may enroll in either Google AI Essentials or Google Prompting Essentials individually for $189 each, or choose the bundle option to complete both courses for a total of $378. Register here.
All learners are eligible to apply. There are no specific admissions requirements. It is recommended that learners have a high school diploma or GED.
The AI Essentials program is designed to be completed in eight weeks.
Yes, the program is 100% self-paced. All resources are included in the program.
The registration fee for this AI essentials program is $378. The Google AI Essentials and Google Promoting Essentials courses are $189 each. Students can register here with a credit card or contact [email protected] to discuss payment options.
The AI Essentials program is ideal for working professionals, career changers, students, and lifelong learners who want to build practical AI and prompting skills. It is especially valuable for anyone looking to improve productivity, strengthen digital fluency, and use AI tools more effectively in everyday work and learning.
Students can enroll at any time and complete the registration steps. To speak to a program coordinator about this certificate, please email [email protected] or call 805-200-2332.
Certificate Fee: $378
Online Asynchronous Courses
Our class structure makes earning your certificate accessible and achievable so you can start sooner and finish faster.
AI Career Opportunities
Here are some careers The field of artificial intelligence is experiencing significant growth. Some of the prominent roles within this sector include AI specialists, machine learning engineers, and data scientists. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the computer and information technology field are expected to grow by 33 percent from 2023-2033, which is must faster than the average growth rate of all occupations. By 2032, another 173,000 jobs are expected to be added within the AI security field.
Related career fields include: AI specialist, machine learning engineer, data scientist, and more.
Certificate Fee: $378
Why National University?
National University is the one online university that takes a holistic, whole-human approach to student well-being. It means we’ll be with you side-by-side, every step of the way, breaking any barriers you face in achieving your education. Our supportive ecosystem measures success across five support pillars, including academic, financial, social/emotional, career, and family life.
At NU, you’ll be part of a family: a connected, engaged, and inspired community of students from across the country and around the globe. From the day you start your first class, you’ll have the support of our faculty and staff, backed by a diverse community of students and alums, who can help you reach your educational and professional goals.
“National University has impacted my career. You can immediately apply what you learn in class to your business.”
Francisco R.,
Class of 2016
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