Whether you’re just getting started or want to take the next step in the high-growth field of IT, professional certificates from Google can help you gain in-demand skills. You’ll learn about troubleshooting, customer support, system administration, Python and more.
on
- 100% remote, online learning
- Hands-on, practice-based training
- Access to over 150 employers
Get started in the field No experience or degree required
Advance within the field Some experience required
Get a job in IT, with help from Google
Learn the foundations of IT support, and get the job-ready skills you need to kick start your career in a fast-growing field.
$57,000
median entry-level salary in IT support1
520,000
open jobs in IT support1
Qualify for in-demand
jobs in IT
In both small businesses and large organizations, IT support involves troubleshooting and problem solving to help computers and networks run smoothly, while providing great customer service along the way.
- IT support II
- Systems administrator
- Site reliability engineer
- Senior IT support technician
- Advanced IT technician
Learn more about the certificate
FOUNDATIONAL
IT Support
Hosted on Coursera, this fully online program provides all the skills you need to find an entry-level job in the field of IT support, even if you don't have prior experience.
You’ll learn about:
- Troubleshooting and customer care
- Networking
- Operating systems
- System administration
- Security
10
Hours of study a week or less
100%
Remote, online learning
You’ll learn about:
- Troubleshooting and customer care
- Networking
- Operating systems
- System administration
- Security
Certificate curriculum:
- Technical Support Fundamentals
- The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking
- Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User
- System Administration and IT Infrastructure Services
- IT Security: Defense Against the Digital Dark Arts
Preview the certificate material
IT SUPPORT CERTIFICATE
The fundamentals of IT Support
Learn about different areas of IT, like computer hardware, the internet, computer software, troubleshooting, and customer service. Discover a wide variety of topics that are designed to give you an overview of what’s to come in this certificate program.
The full certificate program includes:
- Hands-on projects
- Quizzes and assignments
- Regular assessments
Get on the fast track to in-demand jobs with top employers
Complete a Google Career Certificate to get exclusive access to CareerCircle, which offers free 1-on-1 coaching, interview and career support, and a job board to connect directly with employers, including over 150 companies in the Google Career Certificates Employer Consortium.
Here’s how
Complete online certificate courses, at your own pace and time.
Access career resources like coaching sessions, mock interviews, and a resume builder tool.
Share your resume and get connected with national and local employers.
CONNECT WITH +150 TOP EMPLOYERS, INCLUDING THESE:
From system administrator to cybersecurity engineer
Meet Carter, who landed a job as a cybersecurity engineer after earning the Google IT Support Certificate and working in IT. Carter helps YouTube creator Aaron Burriss understand the high stakes of their job.
From system administrator to cybersecurity engineer
Meet Carter, who landed a job as a cybersecurity engineer after earning the Google IT Support Certificate and working in IT. Carter helps YouTube creator Aaron Burriss understand the high stakes of their job.
Certificate success stories
I love my new job. I think one of the most validating things in the world is recognizing that you’ve helped someone.
Daniel, IT Support Specialist at Central Community College and Google IT Support Certificate graduate
Daniel
Amie
Alex
CERTIFICATE SUCCESS STORIES
I worked in retail and needed to make a change. The certificate is really designed for you to go at your own pace. This is something that anybody can do.
Amie, Computer Support Technician at Apex Systems and Google IT Support Certificate graduate
Daniel
Amie
Alex
CERTIFICATE SUCCESS STORIES
The Google IT Support Certificate gave me the proper foundation to not only find a career in IT, but also in Cyber Security. Being able to learn at my own pace and hear the stories of others who have come from similar backgrounds was pivotal to my success. The program helped transform my life and I know that it can do the same for others.
Alex C., Information Security Analyst at Truckstop.com and Google IT Support Certificate Graduate
Advanced Google Career Certificates
Advanced Google Career Certificates build on the skills from our foundational certificates and provide continued learning opportunities for graduates to go deeper in the field.
Prerequisite: This program is designed to follow the foundational IT Support Certificate or similar experience.
ADVANCED
IT Automation with Python
Hosted on Coursera, this fully online program is designed for learners familiar with basic IT concepts. This advanced program builds on those foundations to take your career to the next level.
Prepare for jobs such as:
Prepare for jobs such as:
Tools included:
Git, Python
You’ll learn about:
- Python programming
- IT automation
- Troubleshooting & debugging
- Testing in Python
- How to set up your developer environment
CERTIFICATE SUCCESS STORIES
“The Google IT Automation Certificate has opened new doors for me. I have brought automation ideas and best practices to multiple cross functional departments to automate their processes. Now, I have become the go-to person for system integrations, automating onboarding, and even maintenance of servers.”
Brandon, Graduate of IT Automation with Python Certificate
CERTIFICATE SUCCESS STORIES
“By completing the Google IT Support Certificates, I was able to show comprehension of fundamental IT skills and utilize this validation to transition into the IT industry. Now I get to work with computers and technology every day, and get paid to do it!”
Joel, Graduate of IT Support and IT Automation with Python Certificates
Industry Specializations
Industry Specializations build on the skills from our foundational certificates and are developed by partners to provide expertise for jobs in fast-growing industries.
Prerequisite: This program is designed to follow the foundational IT Support Certificate or similar experience.
INDUSTRY SPECIALIZATION
Healthcare Specialization
Developed by Johns Hopkins University and hosted on Coursera, this fully online program provides the skills you need to find entry-level IT jobs in healthcare.
Prepare for jobs such as:
1-2
Months completion time
Prepare for jobs such as:
You’ll learn about:
- The critical role of IT support staff in healthcare
- Health information technology fundamentals, terms, and definitions
- Operations and patient safety for Healthcare IT Staff
- Important aspects of data security, privacy and compliance
Need more foundational skills? Check out the IT Support Certificate.
Frequently asked questions
What does IT stand for?
IT stands for information technology and refers to the use of computers and other devices to create, process, store, secure, and exchange electronic data. IT support specialists troubleshoot problems so computers and networks run correctly.
What is IT support?
IT support is troubleshooting and problem solving in the field of information technology, including setting up computers for users within an organization, overseeing computer systems, and debugging whenever a problem arises. Businesses, nonprofits, school systems, and government organizations all rely on technology. Computers break, systems fail, phones die—when that happens, we need experts to fix them. IT support is all about troubleshooting and problem solving when the tech fails, and providing great customer service along the way. A job in IT support can mean in-person or remote help desk work in a range of organizations across many different industries.
Why start a career in IT?
With entry-level jobs in IT fetching an average salary of $52,000 per year, starting a career in IT can be extremely lucrative and have a high potential for growth. In the U.S., there were over 86,500 open entry-level IT support roles in 2020, and jobs in this field are projected to grow 8% between 2019 and 2029 — faster than the average of all other occupations. Basic IT skills will position you to secure an introductory-level role to begin your IT career, and from then on, the opportunities are endless. The stackability of these skills means that after gaining a baseline level of knowledge through the Google IT Support Certificate program, it is easy to pick up more advanced skills or build on those foundations with the Google IT Automation with Python Certificate program.
What are the different careers in IT?
A career in IT can encompass many different things. Types of careers in IT may include jobs working with...
What are some in-demand IT jobs?
A job in IT can mean in-person or remote help desk work in a range of organizations across many different industries. In-demand IT jobs include:
What is an IT certificate?
An IT certificate is an end-of-program certification earned by completing a professional training program and demonstrating competency in core areas. A certificate in information technology can be the start of a promising career. The Google IT Support Certificate curriculum is developed and taught by Googlers with years of experience in the field. More than 150 companies in the Google Career Certificates Employer Consortium are committed to considering Google Career Certificate graduates for entry-level jobs.
What Google IT certificates are available?
There are two Google IT certificates available: an introductory-level IT Support Certificate and an advanced-level IT Automation with Python Certificate.
What IT courses are included in the Google IT Support Certificate curriculum?
IT courses included in the Google IT Support Certificate curriculum are...
What are the prerequisites for the Google IT Support Certificate?
There are no prerequisites for the IT Support Certificate. The program is open to anyone interested in learning the foundational skills of IT support, whether you've been tinkering with IT on your own, or even if you are completely new to the field.
What IT courses are included in the Google IT Automation with Python Certificate curriculum?
Courses in the IT Automation with Python curriculum include:
What are the prerequisites for the Google IT Automation with Python Certificate?
The prerequisites for the IT Automation with Python Certificate include familiarity with basic IT concepts and operating systems, files, and processes; and networking and data management. The program builds on your IT foundations to help you take your career to the next level. No previous knowledge of coding is required.
What is Python?
Python is a general-purpose computer programming language used to build websites and software, automate tasks, and conduct data analysis. Python is used to automate common system administrator tasks, and it's one of the most in-demand programming languages used by employers today.
What are the advantages of learning Python?
There are many advantages to learning Python programming. Adding Python to your skill set builds on your IT knowledge foundation and can prepare you to advance in your IT career. Knowing how to write code to solve problems and automate solutions is a crucial skill for anybody working in IT today. Python is one of the most popular programming languages in the world.
Who designed the Google IT Support and IT Automation with Python Certificates?
The Google IT Support and IT Automation with Python Certificates were designed and built by subject-matter experts and senior practitioners at Google — real-world professionals with strong backgrounds in IT support, working in fields such as operations engineering, security, site reliability engineering, and systems administration. The certificates were created to equip learners with theoretical and practical knowledge and real-life problem-solving skills to be successful in entry-level jobs or achieve career advancement.
What other languages are the Google IT Support and IT Automation with Python Certificates offered in?
The Google IT Support and IT Automation with Python Certificates are also available in Spanish and Portuguese.
Where can I access the Google IT Support and IT Automation with Python Certificates?
The Google IT Support and IT Automation with Python Certificates are available in English, Spanish and Portuguese on Coursera, an online learning platform that offers access to online courses.
What is the Google Career Certificates Employer Consortium? Can it help me find IT jobs?
The Google Career Certificates Employer Consortium consists of over 150 U.S. companies like HCL, World Wide Technology, Infosys, AT&T, Wells Fargo and Google. These companies span multiple sectors and are committed to considering Google IT Certificate graduates for entry-level jobs. Upon completion of the Google IT Support or IT Automation with Python Certificates, you will gain access to an exclusive job platform where you can easily apply to opportunities from employers with open IT jobs. Employers interested in joining the Google Career Certificates Employer Consortium can find more information at grow.google/employers.
What other kind of support is available after I complete a Google Career Certificate?
In addition to expert training and hands-on projects designed to prepare you for a job in your field of choice, you'll get access to career resources including a resume building tool, mock interviews and networking support designed to help you with your job search. You'll also be able to connect with over 150 US employers in the hiring consortium who are accepting candidates who have completed a Google Career Certificate.
Why did Google create these programs?
Google created the IT Support and IT Automation with Python Certificate programs because we faced the same issue many other companies had — open IT roles and not enough qualified candidates to fill them. So a few years ago, we began working with a nonprofit organization to provide training and pathways to roles in technical support at Google. We learned that not only is IT support a highly teachable field, but that we could teach someone completely new to the industry the IT fundamentals in under six months. We decided to build an IT training program on Coursera, created entirely by Googlers who are expert in IT support so this training could be available to everyone.
How much does the Google IT Support Certificate cost?
The Google IT Support Certificate costs $49 per month on Coursera after an initial 7-day free trial period. All Google Career Certificates are completely self-paced. At about 10 hours of study per week, many learners complete a Google Career Certificate in three to six months.
How much does the Google IT Automation with Python Certificate cost?
The Google IT Automation with Python Certificate costs $49 per month on Coursera after an initial 7-day free trial period. All Google Career Certificates are completely self-paced. At about 10 hours of study per week, many learners complete a Google Career Certificate in three to six months.
Is financial assistance available for the Google IT Support and IT Automation with Python Certificates?
If you are interested in financial assistance for the Google IT Support or IT Automation with Python Certificates, you may be eligible for financial aid via Coursera through the course page. Recipients of financial aid will have full access to course content and assignments required to earn a certificate. To apply, go to the certificate course page on Coursera and click the “Financial aid available” link next to the “Enroll” button. Google has also funded 100,000 scholarships for Google Career Certificates, which will be distributed by Grow with Google partners and Google.org grantees like Merit America, Per Scholas, NPower, Goodwill, Futuro Health, Generation USA, UnidosUS, LULAC and Hispanic Federation. These funds will create a lasting impact in helping people land high-quality jobs in high-growth fields.
Can I get college credit for taking the Google IT Support or IT Automation with Python Certificates?
Those planning to attend a degree program can utilize ACE®️ recommendations, the industry standard for translating workplace learning to college credit. Learners can earn a recommendation of 15 college credits for completing the IT Support or IT Automation with Python Certificates, the equivalent of 5 college courses at a bachelor’s degree level. This aims to help open up additional pathways to learners who are interested in higher education, and prepare them for entry-level jobs. To share proof of completion with schools, IT certificate graduates will receive an email prompting them to claim their Credly badge, which contains the ACE®️ credit recommendation. Once claimed, they will receive a competency-based transcript that signifies the credit recommendation, which can be shared directly with a school from the Credly platform. Please note that the decision to accept specific credit recommendations is up to each institution and is not guaranteed. IT Certificate graduates who also pass the CompTIA A+ certification exams will earn a dual credential from CompTIA and Google.
1Lightcast™ US Job Postings (2022: Jan. 1, 2022 - Dec. 31, 2022).
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