Texas State University has launched an ambitious upskilling initiative to offer certificates and micro-credentialing to TXST students, faculty, staff and alumni through a partnership with Coursera, a global online learning platform with more than 175 million learners worldwide.
An initial offering of 81 certificates will be available through Coursera’s Career Academy at zero cost to anybody with a txstate.edu email address beginning May 1, including students, faculty and staff. TXST plans to roll out a second phase in the future which will offer greatly expanded opportunities.
The partnership with Coursera, offering Career Academy courses for all students at Texas State University, is transformative and creates an opportunity for all our students to earn credentials of value at no cost; adding these industry recognized credentials to their existing degree complements the value of their Texas State University education.
Pranesh Aswath, Ph.D.
TXST provost and executive vice president for academic affairs
Additionally, TXST alumni will also have access to the credentialling program via the Alumni Association.
“Texas State University has always been committed to supporting our alumni with free career resources, and the addition of Coursera access for alumni strengthens that commitment,” said Kristi Troxel, assistant vice president for alumni engagement at TXST. “This opportunity empowers Bobcats to continue growing professionally, gain in-demand skills, and stay competitive in an ever-evolving job market.”
The 81 professional certificates available in the initial offering span an impressive range of disciplines. For individuals attracted to fields where fluency in computer technology is in high demand, credentials include Meta Android Developer, ADP Entry-Level Payroll Specialist, AWS Cloud Technology Consultant, Google UX Design, EPIC Games Game Design, IBM IT Project Manager and more. For those more interested in human interaction, certifications such as Keller Williams Real Estate Agent, HRCI Human Resources Associate, Goodwill Career Coach, CVS Health Retail Customer Service and NASM Personal Fitness Trainer are among the options available.
Sanjay Ramchander, DBA
“Pairing a cutting-edge McCoy College of Business degree with micro-credentials from Coursera will give our students a distinct competitive advantage by equipping them with specialized, real-world skills,” said Sanjay Ramchander, DBA, dean of the McCoy College of Business. “This combination of a world-class education and industry-ready credentials ensures our graduates are exceptionally marketable in today’s rapidly evolving workforce.”
A unique aspect of the TXST partnership with Coursera is that the university will actively develop original certificates. Under Ramchander’s leadership, McCoy College has been an early adopter of micro-credentialing and is leading TXST’s efforts to create new discipline-specific certifications. Faculty from McCoy College and across campus are actively designing these new credentials, ensuring that the offerings remain dynamic and responsive to industry needs and student demand.
“Recent Coursera research indicates that micro-credentials, when offered, tangibly improve learner employment outcomes, with 87% of employers having hired at least one micro-credential holder in the past year," said Scot Chadwick, senior director, Coursera for Campus. "Offering TXST’s community access to Career Academy’s carefully-curated collection of industry-aligned micro-credentials will ensure that all members of that community are equipped with the essential skills needed to launch, nurture, and thrive in their careers.”
For more information about accessing Coursera and other microcredential programs on campus, visit TXST's microcredential webpage.
For more information, contact University Communications:
