AI Essentials Certificate Program

Artificial intelligence is no longer just an idea of the future: It’s a tool we all encounter in our daily lives. The AI Essentials Certificate Program is designed for learners of all backgrounds who want to understand what AI is, how it works, and how to use it responsibly.

Through three courses, you’ll build a strong foundation in AI concepts, practice everyday applications for communication, organization, and creativity, and explore how AI is being used across industries and communities. Along the way, you’ll also learn about the ethical and responsible use of AI, from protecting privacy to recognizing bias.

By the end of the program, you’ll have the confidence and skills to make AI work for you - whether in personal projects, school, or the workplace.

Program Highlights:

Welcome to a certificate program built for your busy schedule. This program is composed of three courses that build in complexity, guiding you from a beginner level to advanced mastery. To help you succeed, a structured schedule with due dates is in place. Following these deadlines guarantees you receive timely and personalized expert feedback on your work, which is a key part of the program's value.

By completing the AI Essentials Certificate Program, you’ll be able to:

Explain what AI is, how it works, and where it shows up in daily life.
Use AI tools to improve communication, stay organized, and spark creativity.
Recognize risks, like bias and privacy concerns, and make ethical choices.
Apply AI confidently in personal projects, schoolwork, or your job.

At A Glance

Credits

9 CEUs

Cost

$550-$600 per course

Modality

100% online

Next Application Deadline

Spring 2026: December 1, 2025

Enrollment Requirements

Unlock your potential with our open-enrollment program — no admissions process, no barriers, just opportunity. Whether you're starting fresh or building on your skills, everyone is welcome to join and thrive. Join us now and see where your potential can take you!
Requirements:
• Highschool diploma or GED

Program Outline and Requirements

Three courses must be completed to receive a certificate of completion. A grade of "C" or better must be obtained in each course. Courses carry Continuing Education Units (CEU) and hold no academic unit value and cannot be counted towards a degree unless a university or university department agrees.

Taken in sequence. One semester for all three courses: 12 weeks total

Start your AI journey by learning what artificial intelligence really is and what it isn’t. This course clears up common myths, explains how AI tools work behind the scenes, and highlights the ways you’re already interacting with AI in daily life. You’ll also build practical skills through hands-on activities, from writing effective prompts to exploring real examples of human-AI collaboration. By the end, you’ll have the confidence to use AI with clarity, curiosity, and purpose.

Learn what AI really is, how it works, and where it already shows up in daily life. This course clears up myths, introduces core skills like effective prompting, and helps you build confidence to explore AI with purpose.

Put AI to work in ways that make life easier. This course introduces practical tools for everyday communication, organization, creativity, and decision-making. You’ll practice using AI to draft messages, plan tasks, create simple content, and even brainstorm new ideas. With hands-on activities and a mini-project, you’ll discover how AI can support both personal and professional goals, helping you save time, stay organized, and think in new ways.
Discover practical ways to use AI for communication, organization, creativity, and decision-making. Through hands-on activities, you’ll see how AI can simplify tasks and support both personal and professional goals.

AI is reshaping industries, schools, and communities—and this course shows you how. You’ll explore real-world examples of how AI is being used in fields like retail, healthcare, education, and entertainment, while also learning about the risks around privacy, bias, and copyright. Through guided activities, you’ll practice choosing the right tools for different tasks and create your own checklist for safe, ethical AI use. The course concludes with a capstone project where you’ll apply your learning to a personal, school, or work scenario, putting responsible AI into practice.

Explore how AI is used across industries and communities while learning to spot risks like bias, privacy, and copyright issues. You’ll practice selecting the right tools and develop a personal checklist for safe, ethical AI use.

AI Essentials Certificate Program