Career Academy by Coursera
- Overview
- Courses
- How to Register
- Resources
Career Academy by Coursera –
An Investment in Your Future
Are you looking to grow your knowledge, add a professional skill, or transition to a new career? If so, then Career Academy by Coursera could be the answer.
With Career Academy by Coursera – offered through SDSU Global Campus – you can access dozens of online courses, Professional Certificates, and Specializations taught by instructors from leading companies. These industry-recognized credentials allow you to build workforce skills and learn from industry experts in less time and for less money than going the traditional internship route.
Completing a Coursera Career Academy certificate provides you with a micro-credential that you can share on your LinkedIn profile and add to your resume – even after you complete one course – to show potential employers that you have earned the skills needed to excel in the workplace.
San Diego State University Global Campus is committed to your lifelong success and we’ve partnered with Coursera to bring our students, alumni and the public exclusive, free and discounted access.
Select your group below to find your specific benefits and access instructions:
| Group | Access Program | Benefit Details |
|---|---|---|
| Global Campus Current Students | SDSU Global Campus Coursera Career Academy | Free access to over 90 certificates which includes courses from Google, IBM, Meta, & more. |
| Global Campus Graduating Students | SDSU Global Campus Coursera Career Academy | Four months free access to the Career Academy catalog after graduating/completing your program. |
| General Public | SDSU Global Campus Coursera Career Academy | Discounted access to the Career Academy catalog. $189 for four months. |
Global Campus Students: Access to Coursera Career Academy
As a Global Campus Student, you receive free, unlimited access to the full Coursera Career Academy. Gain a competitive edge by earning industry-recognized certificates alongside your academic program, ensuring you graduate job-ready.
What is Coursera Career Academy?
- World-Class Industry Partners: Access entry-level Professional Certificates from a wide array of companies: Google, IBM, Meta, Adobe, Intuit, Salesforce, and more.
- Curated for Jobs: Certificates are aligned with job data trends and are selected because they are in high-demand, high-growth, entry-level roles—no prior experience is required.
- Micro-Credential Value: Complete certificates and explore careers in high-demand fields like Data Analytics, UX Design, Cybersecurity, and Project Management. When you earn a credential you can share it immediately on your LinkedIn profile or resume.
Ready to Enroll?
Your access is sponsored and provided at no charge to you.INSTRUCTIONS HERE :Applications open every term for 30 days. If you miss the deadline, you can be added to our wait list for the next term availability. Contact?
Global Campus Graduating Students : Four months of Free Access after you Graduate/ complete a program
Continue Your Growth & Accelerate Your Career with Industry-Leading Credentials
As you are on your job hunt, continue to utilize your free access to Career Academy to round out your skills for your next role!
Why Join?
- Career Benefits: 75% of Google Career Certificate Graduates in the United States report an improvement in their career trajectory (e.g. new job or career, promotion or raise) within 6 months of certificate completion*.
- *Based on program graduate survey, United States 2022.
- Free & Flexible: Access is provided to over 90 certificates and allows you to learn at your own pace.
- Lifelong Learning: Stay connected to your university while continuing to invest in your professional development.
Ready to Enroll?
A limited number of complimentary licenses are available on a first-come, first-served basis. So join today!
- Current GC students: If you have already applied within the last year, your access will automatically be extended. If you are at the end of your application year or you have less than 4 months before your year is going to expire, please reapply.
Graduating GC students: If you have not applied, please apply before you graduate to get the full four month access.
General Public: Discounted Access to Coursera Career Academy
Affordable Upskilling: Professional Certificates at an Exclusive Rate
Gain access to the full Coursera Career Academy at a discounted rate, exclusively available to our external Global Campus community. This program offers access to job-relevant microcredentials, saving you money while you gain skills from top companies.
Your Discounted Access Includes:
- Significant Savings: Pay a reduced semester fee.
- Unlimited Enrollment: Access to the full SDSU Global Campus Career Academy catalog from companies like Google, IBM, Meta, and Adobe. Enroll in as many professional certificates and courses you can complete within the term.
- Job Relevance: Access a data-backed collection of entry-level and job-relevant professional certificates designed to help you stand out.
How to Enroll:
- Sign up HERE
- Once enrolled, you will receive an invitation email from Coursera with instructions to access our dedicated SDSU Career Academy site.
Why Choose SDSU’s Coursera Career Academy?
Our dedicated Career Academy site is designed to help you cut through the noise by curating a collection of Professional Certificates for job roles that are in high demand and are high growth.
96% of employers say micro-credentials strengthen a candidate’s job application.*
Eighty-five percent with these credentials report greater confidence in their skills, and 94% say micro-credentials help build essential career skills.*
9 in 10 employers are willing to pay higher starting salaries to micro-credential holders.*
*Coursera Micro-Credentials Impact Report 2025. Coursera surveyed over 2,000 students, employees, and employers across six regions in 2025 to measure how micro-credentials drive global career outcomes.
How can you use Career Academy by Coursera to reach your goals?
- Explore entry-level roles and career paths.
- Learn about in-demand job titles and skill requirements.
- Practice and hone the career skills that employers are hiring for.
- Build your confidence while you develop a portfolio of work that stands out to employers.
Popular Certificates Available
Cybersecurity Professional, Data Analyst, UX Designer, Data Scientist, Data Engineer, IT Support Specialist, Project Manager, Social Media Marketer, Application Developer.
Browse the Public Catalog
“These certificates are invaluable for our liberal arts students… The technical expertise from these certificates has been a game-changer, opening doors to new career opportunities.”
Learn more about our course formats.
| Term | Reg Open | Reg Deadline | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | 9/23/2025 | 1/21/2026 | 12/19/2025 | 4/23/2026 |
| Summer 2026 | 1/22/2026 | 5/21/2026 | 4/23/2026 | 8/25/2026 |
| Fall 2026 | 5/22/2026 | 9/22/2026 | 8/25/2026 | 12/18/2026 |
*Includes unlimited Coursera Career Academy access. Late registrants will not receive the full-term access and will not pay a prorated amount.
| Courses | Cost | Access | Format Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| SDSU Global Campus Coursera Career Academy catalog | $189 | A term (~4 months) | Self-Paced Online |
Registration Instructions
To register, please complete the following steps:
- Click “Register”
- Click “Add to Cart”
- Click “Checkout”
- Log into your SDSU Global Campus Account, if you haven’t already done so
- Pay for items in your cart
For assistance with enrolling in a program or registering for classes, please contact Global Campus Registration and Enrollment Services at enrollment.global@sdsu.edu or (619) 594-5152
Frequently Asked Questions
This program is offered in partnership with a third-party provider responsible for marketing, outreach, recruitment, curriculum design, and/or instructional services. The courses are not eligible for degree credit at SDSU and are not taught by University faculty nor associated with any campus academic department.