UTA expands microcredential program to all Mavericks
Students, employees and alumni of The University of Texas at Arlington will have free access to an expanded microcredential program that can prepare them with high-demand training under a new initiative launching immediately through the University.
Mavericks can access 40 professional certificates from leading companies such as Google, Salesforce, IBM, Meta and Intuit through the Coursera Career Academy platform. The certificates span 29 different areas and focus on specific skills for careers in cybersecurity, data analytics, IT support, social media marketing, front- and back-end development, career coaching, human resources and more.
The credentials are at no cost to all current Maverick students, employees and alumni. Hands-on projects and interactive assessments allow Mavericks to apply their skills in real-world scenarios and practice using workplace tools. Upon completion, they will earn career-focused credentials to enhance their qualifications for the job market.
“When you combine a UT Arlington education with microcredential programs that offer high-demand skills training, you are prepared for a successful career in high-value positions,” UTA President Jennifer Cowley said. “For those who come to UTA to study and learn, we want you to know you are a Maverick for life. And for those who work at UT Arlington, this is a valuable and no-cost opportunity to bolster your skills and credentials.”
Students, employees and alumni can enroll in the microcredentials program immediately through the following links:
- Career Academy – Students
- Career Academy – Faculty and Staff
- Career Academy – Alumni: Users must first verify their status as UTA alumni through this link.
The UTA offering is part of the UT System’s Texas Credentials for the Future initiative, which includes more than 240,000 learners across nine UT System campuses. It represents the most extensive industry-recognized microcredential program from a U.S. university system.
It also represents an expansion of UTA’s Power Up + Tech Up program, which launched earlier this year by offering Career Ready Guide by CareerSpots power skills training and no-cost Google Career Certificates for students to equip themselves with high-demand skills and broaden their career paths. More than 100 students have participated in the program to date and continue to benefit from the community of learners in the program as well as coaching from Robin Macaluso, a UTA faculty fellow in the Provost’s Office and an associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry.
“We know students come to UT Arlington with a career mindset,” said Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Tamara L. Brown. “Our degrees prepare students for longer-term career success, and the skills-based microcredentials often help place them into high-paying jobs right after college.”
One of the first UTA students to earn a Google Career Certificate through Power Up + Tech Up was Meti Kebede, now a senior data science major who said the program will give her an advantage in seeking a job when she graduates in December.
“I want to work as a data scientist,” Kebede said. “The certificate takes students deeper into what they’ll need in a job.”
According to recent Coursera research, 86% of U.S. students said that earning an industry microcredential would help them stand out to employers and secure jobs when they graduate. U.S. employers agree. They are, on average, 75% more likely to hire a candidate who has earned both a degree and a certificate.
“As we continue building upon our successful Texas Credentials for the Future initiative, we are especially grateful for our partnership with Coursera and for the UT System Board of Regents’ commitment to funding this important expansion of our microcredential programs,” UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken said. “Microcredentials are a powerful and effective tool in producing graduates who are both broadly educated and specifically skilled, giving them a competitive edge in the labor market while also enhancing their overall undergraduate experience. The UT System’s continued investment in microcredential courses is critical to meeting our state’s growing workforce demands while always preparing our students for success.”
How to register
Once you access the UTA Coursera Career Academy Page, complete the following steps to register:
- Select the “Join” button.
- If you are signing into Coursera for the first time, select the “Sign Up” option and register with your UTA email address. (If you already have a Coursera account associated with your UTA email, choose “Log In” instead.)
- Coursera will send you an email verification. Complete that verification and you’re ready to start earning a microcredential.
More information for UTA students and employees on the Career Academy is available through UTA’s Knowledge Base website.