Grow With Google

FAQ

Can I use these certificates to start a path to earning a degree?

SIUE’s **Grow with Google certificates are designed to help you build real, in-demand skills now—and, in many cases, those skills can support your path into a future degree program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Here’s how it works:

• You gain industry-recognized credentials you can use right away for career advancement.
• You build momentum and confidence before committing to a full degree.
• If you decide to pursue a degree later, these certificates can help inform conversations about elective credit, prior learning, or program fit (depending on the degree and requirements).

No pressure. No one-size-fits-all promise. Just a flexible, learner-first on-ramp to higher education.

Bottom line: You can start with a certificate, test the waters, level up your skills—and when you’re ready, SIUE is here to help you take the next step. 

Do I need to enroll at a specific time? What is the registration deadline?

Nope — there’s no single start date and no hard registration deadline. 

SIUE’s Grow with Google offerings are self-paced and rolling-start, which means:

• You can enroll anytime.
• You move through the content on your schedule.
• Life happens — and these certificates flex with you, not the other way around.

Once you register and get access, you can start learning right away.

NOTE: Some SIUE faculty use Grow with Google curriculum in their course delivery. If you are taking a Grow with Google Certificate or Specialization as part of a class you will need to check any deadlines or requirements with your instructor. Also a limited number of seats are available at any given time, so you may have to be added to a wait list. Once a seat becomes available you would be contacted to enroll.

How long do I have to complete the Certificate or Specialization?

To make sure learners have the support and access they need, SIUE’s Grow with Google offerings do have defined completion windows:

• Certificates: must be completed within 4 months
• Specializations: must be completed within 3 weeks

Why the timeline?
 Seats are limited, and we want them going to learners who are ready to start, stay engaged, and finish strong. These timeframes help ensure:

• Active participation
• Meaningful learning progress
• Fair access for others waiting to enroll

 Translation: This is a commitment — but a very doable one. The programs are designed so motivated learners can absolutely complete them within the given timeframe.

If you’re ready to jump in and follow through, we’ve got your back. 

Do I need to be a SIUE student to sign up?

Short answer: Nope. 
Long answer: also no — and that’s kind of the point.

You do not need to be a current SIUE student to sign up for Grow with Google. These programs are open to:

• Working professionals
• Career switchers
• Adult learners
• Community members
• Anyone ready to build in-demand skills and actually use them

That said, if you are an SIUE student (or decide to become one later), these certificates can be a great way to stack skills, explore a field, and strengthen your academic or career path at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Bottom line: You don’t have to be enrolled at SIUE to start. You just have to be ready to learn and follow through. 

Can I sign up if I attend SIUC?

If you attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), you’ll want to connect with the Grow with Google program on your own campus. SIUC offers its own Grow with Google opportunities, designed specifically for SIUC students and community members.

For next steps, reach out to [X / SIUC program contact] for details on eligibility, timelines, and available certificates at SIUC.

If you’re affiliated with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, you’re in the right place — this page covers the SIUE Grow with Google offerings.

TL;DR: Same system, different campuses, different programs. We’ll help you get to the right door. 

Does SIUE offer career support or job placement assistance after I complete a Google Career Certificate?

SIUE Career Services are available to current SIUE students only. That said, completing a Grow with Google can still give your job search a real boost.

Here’s how to think about it:

• Google Career Certificates are industry-recognized and designed around real, in-demand skills employers are actively looking for.
• You’ll walk away with resume-ready competencies, portfolio artifacts (for some fields), and a clearer sense of where your skills fit in the job market.
• We strongly encourage learners to pair their certificate with local workforce resources, such as your nearby WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) office, which can offer job search assistance, coaching, and connections to employers in your region.

Bottom line: While SIUE can’t provide direct career placement support unless you’re a current student, these certificates are built to help you move forward — especially when combined with local workforce and employment resources.

Skills + momentum + smart local support = a strong next step. 

What is the difference between a certificate and a specialization? 

Certificate vs. Specialization: What’s the Difference?

Feature	Certificate	Specialization
Purpose	Build a broad, job-ready skill set for a career path	Build or sharpen a specific, in-demand skill
Best For	Career starters, career changers, or those wanting a strong foundation	Professionals who want to upskill quickly
Scope	Foundational to intermediate skills across a field	Narrow, targeted skills or tools
Time Commitment	Flexible, self-paced	Fast-paced, focused
Completion Window	Up to 4 months	3 weeks
Outcome	Industry-recognized credential that supports career entry or transition	Stackable credential that strengthens an existing skill set

Both options are offered through Grow with Google and are designed to be practical, career-aligned, and immediately useful.

How to choose:
  Go with a Certificate if you want depth and a clear on-ramp.
  Go with a Specialization if you want speed and precision.

Are there any other fees involved?

Short answer: No — there are no fees for participants. 

Through **Grow with Google at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, certificates and specializations are offered at no cost to learners while seats are available.

Here’s the deal, straight up:

• No tuition
• No enrollment fees
• No surprise charges

The only real “cost” is your commitment — seats are limited, so we’re looking for folks who are ready to start, stay engaged, and finish.

Bottom line: If you’re accepted into the program, the learning is covered. You bring the effort. We’ll bring the opportunity. 

Is there financial aid?

Because SIUE’s Grow with Google offerings are provided at no cost to participants while seats are available, traditional financial aid does not apply.

That said, many learners are already benefiting because:

• There’s no tuition or program fee to cover
• You’re not taking on student debt
• You’re gaining industry-recognized skills without the financial barrier

We also encourage participants to explore local workforce resources, such as WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) programs, which may offer additional career and employment support in your area.

Bottom line: No financial aid is needed — the program itself removes the cost barrier. You just bring the time, focus, and follow-through. 

Can I use my veteran education benefits for the Google Career courses and Specializations at SIUE?

At this time, veteran education benefits (including GI Bill® benefits) cannot be used for the Google Career Certificates or Specializations offered through Grow with Google at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Here’s the why, in plain language:

• These programs are non-credit and offered at no cost to participants while seats are available
• Because there’s no tuition charged, veteran education benefits don’t apply

That said, many veterans still choose to participate because:

• The credentials are industry-recognized
• They build job-ready, civilian-transferable skills
• There’s no out-of-pocket cost and no use of limited VA benefits

We also encourage veterans to explore local workforce and veteran employment resources, including WIOA-funded programs and veteran service organizations in their area, which may offer additional career and employment support.

Bottom line: You won’t need to use your VA benefits for these programs — and you can save them for future credit-bearing education if you choose. 

How long does it take to complete a Certificate?

Certificates typically require 120–160 total hours and must be completed within 4 months through Grow with Google at SIUE.

To stay on track, plan for:

• 8–12 hours per week over 4 months
• More time per week if you want to finish sooner
• Less time per week if you’re steady and consistent

The courses are self-paced, but the completion window is real. The weekly time estimate helps ensure learners who enroll are ready to start, stay engaged, and finish.

Bottom line: This isn’t overwhelming — but it does require commitment. If you can dedicate a few focused hours each week, the timeline is absolutely doable. 

How long does it take to complete a Specialization?

Specializations are designed to be completed within 3 weeks through Grow with Google at SIUE.

Most Specializations take about 8-10 total hours, which typically looks like:

• 3-4 hours per week over 3 weeks
• A focused, fast-paced experience built for learners who want to level up quickly

Because seats are limited, the 3-week window helps ensure participants are ready to jump in, stay engaged, and complete the program.

Bottom line: Specializations move fast by design. If you can commit a few focused hours each week, you’ll be done before you know it — skills in hand. 

What do I receive after completing one of the Certificates?

After you complete a Certificate through Grow with Google at SIUE, you don’t just get a “nice job” email. You walk away with real, usable credentials.

Here’s what you receive:

• An industry-recognized Google Career Certificate you can share on your resume, LinkedIn, and job applications
• Verified digital credentials that clearly show the skills you’ve mastered
• Practical, job-ready competencies aligned to real employer needs
• In many programs, hands-on projects or portfolio artifacts you can actually show employers

And while these certificates are non-credit, they can:

• Strengthen your job search immediately
• Support future conversations about education or career pathways
• Help you stand out in competitive applicant pools

Bottom line: You finish with proof — proof of skills, proof of effort, and proof you followed through. That’s the kind of signal employers respect. 

What do I receive after completing one of the Specializations?

After you complete a Specialization through Grow with Google at SIUE, you receive a verified, industry-recognized Google Specialization credential that clearly shows the specific skills you’ve mastered.

Here’s what that means for you:

• A shareable digital credential you can add to your resume, LinkedIn profile, and job applications
• Proof of targeted, in-demand skills employers are actively looking for
• A stackable credential that strengthens your existing experience or complements a full certificate

Specializations are shorter and more focused than certificates, but they’re built with the same real-world, employer-aligned approach.

Bottom line: You finish with a credential that signals precision — you learned something specific, you applied it, and you completed it. That kind of follow-through stands out. 

I am an SIUE student who wants to use Grow with Google ACE credit toward my degree. How do I do that?

How to Request ACE Credit Review for Grow with Google (SIUE Students)

Step 1: Meet with Your Academic Advisor

Start by contacting your academic advisor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Let them know you completed a Grow with Google credential and want to petition for ACE credit review.

Step 2: Submit the Credit Petition

Your advisor will help you initiate the appropriate petition or review process. The request is then sent to your academic department for evaluation.

Step 3: Departmental Review & Decision

Academic units review the credential and determine if and how it may apply to your degree (for example, as elective credit or toward specific program requirements). Final decisions are made by the department. 

What to Bring to Your Advisor Meeting

To keep things moving, come prepared with:

• Proof of completion (certificate or digital credential)
• The name of the Grow with Google certificate you completed
• Any available course descriptions or learning outcomes
• A sense of where you think the credit might fit in your degree plan (elective, major support, etc.)

Bottom line: Credit isn’t automatic, but the process is straightforward. Prep your materials, start with your advisor, and let your academic unit review the fit. 

I’m an employer interested in Grow with Google for my employees. Where do I start?

Great question — and we’re glad you’re here.

If you’re an employer interested in partnering with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to offer Grow with Google Certificates or Specializations to your employees, the first step is to connect with the SIUE Online Services and Educational Outreach team.

We’ll work with you to:

• Identify the certificates or specializations that align with your workforce needs
• Discuss options available to you such as specialized training or corporate partnership as well as seat availability, timelines, and expectations
• Explore how these credentials can support upskilling, reskilling, or employee retention

From there, we’ll help guide your organization through next steps and implementation.

Bottom line: If you’re ready to invest in your workforce, we’re ready to help you get started.

I’m an SIUE alum and want to enroll in a Grow with Google certificate or specialization. How do I get started?

Welcome back — we’re glad you’re here.

SIUE alumni are absolutely eligible to enroll in Grow with Google Certificates and Specializations through Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

To get started:

1. Complete the interest form linked on this page.
2. Our team will review your submission and follow up with next steps, timelines, and seat availability.
3. Once accepted, you’ll receive instructions to activate your access and begin learning.

No re-admission. No transcript requests. Just a direct path to building new, in-demand skills.

Bottom line: Whether you graduated last year or a decade ago, SIUE Grow with Google is a fast, flexible way to level up and stay competitive.