South Dakota State University students can now earn professional certificates from companies like Google, IBM and Meta, all without spending a cent. Thanks to a new partnership between SDSU and Coursera, students, faculty and alumni have free access to hundreds of industry-recognized courses designed to prepare them for the workforce.
Coursera, a global online learning platform, collaborates with top universities and industry leaders to provide accessible education in areas like artificial intelligence, data analytics, digital marketing and project management. SDSU’s partnership includes access to Coursera’s Career Academy, which offers non-credit credentials created by major corporations such as Amazon, Meta and Google.
The partnership was officially launched earlier this year after university leaders saw the potential to connect academic learning with professional skill-building. According to Victor Taylor, vice provost for graduate education and extended studies, one of the administrators involved in the project; the goal was simple – to give students a competitive edge.
“We wanted to give students an industry-based education opportunity that complements their majors, something practical they can show on their résumés,” Taylor said.
SDSU invested about $100,000 annually into the Coursera program, making it one of the only universities in the region to offer this level of access. The initiative aligns with the university’s broader mission to enhance student success and workforce readiness.
“This is a value-added opportunity for our students,” Taylor said. “It’s not meant to replace their coursework, but to complement it and provide concrete skills for their future careers.”
So far, more than 700 students, faculty and staff have opened accounts and participation is growing each semester. The university hopes to reach over 1,000 active users by the end of the academic year.
Among the most active participants are students from the SDSU Honors College, where Coursera was first introduced through a pilot program.
“Honors students are often the ones who want to go above and beyond,” said Greg Heiberger, interim dean and associate professor of the Honors College. “Coursera lets them do that on their own time, at no cost.”
The Honors College launched a pilot program focused on artificial intelligence education, encouraging students to explore both the technical and ethical sides of AI. Students compared responses from different AI models, analyzed how the technology works and discussed its social implications.
Heiberger said the program fits well with the Honors curriculum’s interdisciplinary nature.
“AI is the perfect example of what Honors is about – connecting technology with ethics, humanities and communication,” he said. “It’s not only about coding, but also more about understanding the bigger picture.”
Coursera offers students more than academic enrichment; it’s a practical bridge to the job market. Certificates in data analytics, social media marketing and project management give students tangible proof of their skills.
“These certificates are things students can immediately add to their résumés,” Taylor said. “They can bring them up in interviews, cover letters or internships. It’s something concrete that shows they’re ready for the workforce.”
Students have responded positively so far, praising the interactive design and built-in AI tutoring features that make the courses more engaging than typical online videos.
SDSU plans to expand Coursera access even further, promoting it among alumni and community members in the coming semesters. The program also connects well with SDSU Extension’s mission to promote lifelong learning across South Dakota.
“Coursera gives students the chance to try something new, with no risk and no cost,” Heiberger said.
