
The Google IT Support Professional Certificate is a highly respected credential in the tech industry. This certificate is offered by Google in partnership with Coursera.
The certificate program consists of 5 courses, which can be completed in 10-12 months. You can access the courses on the Coursera platform.
The program is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed as an IT support professional. It covers topics such as hardware and software, networking, and cloud computing.
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What is the Program?
The Google IT Support Professional Certificate program is a five-course certificate developed by top Google engineers. It's designed to prepare you for an entry-level role in IT support.
This program is offered through Coursera and is part of a partnership with Grow with Google. The certificate is all online, so you can learn at your own pace and apply your skills with hands-on projects. You'll be able to build a portfolio that showcases your job readiness to potential employers.
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Reason for Program

Google created the IT training program because they had open IT Support roles, but not enough qualified candidates to fill them. They partnered with a non-profit organization to build out trainings and pathways to roles in technical support at Google.
The program was developed by Googlers who are expert in IT support, and it's available to everyone. Google learned that IT support is a highly teachable field, and that someone completely new to the industry can learn the IT fundamentals in about 8-12 months.
The program is designed to be completed in six months, with 8-10 hours of study per week. This allows individuals to learn at their own pace and apply their skills with hands-on projects.
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What Makes This Program Unique?
This program is a game-changer in the world of IT support. The IT Support Professional Certificate is a first-of-its-kind program.
With highly interactive content, you'll be able to learn through hands-on labs and widgets. This exclusive content was developed by Google, a leader in the tech industry.
For those who complete the program, a direct route to top employers is waiting. You'll have a clear path to get your skills and knowledge into the hands of top employers.
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Technical Requirements
To earn the Google IT Support Professional Certificate, you'll need to complete a series of 5 courses, each lasting around 6-8 weeks.
The certificate program requires a computer with a Google Chrome browser and a stable internet connection.
You'll need to commit around 10-12 hours per week to complete the coursework, which includes interactive labs, quizzes, and hands-on projects.
The certificate program is designed to be completed in around 4-6 months, allowing you to balance coursework with other responsibilities.
Google provides a free Coursera platform to access the coursework, making it easy to get started.
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Certificate Details
The Google IT Support Professional Certificate is an online program that's perfect for beginners. It's developed by Google and offered through platforms like Coursera.
The program is self-paced, so you can learn at your own speed. You'll gain essential skills and knowledge required for entry-level IT support roles through hands-on labs and exercises.
You'll engage in simulated scenarios and real-world projects to apply your skills. This practical experience is highly beneficial and makes you job-ready.
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The certificate is recognized by top employers in the IT industry, including Google. Google also supports job placement for certificate holders.
To become certified, you'll need to complete the program and 1:1 career coaching with Merit America. This will qualify you for the Merit America Guarantee, which promises a job with a salary of at least $40,000 per year within two years of completing the program.
Here are the key benefits of the Google IT Support Professional Certificate:
- Industry recognition and job placement support from Google
- Comprehensive curriculum covering essential IT skills
- Practical experience through hands-on labs and projects
- No prior IT experience required
Cost and Duration
The Google IT Support Professional Certificate is not free, and its cost can vary depending on how long it takes to complete. The average cost is $234, assuming a six-month completion time.
You can take the course on Coursera, which offers a seven-day free trial and a monthly subscription cost of $39. If you finish the program in three months, you'll pay around $117, and if it takes you nine months, the cost will be about $351.
On average, it takes six months to complete the program, dedicating approximately 10 hours per week to coursework.
IT Certificate Cost
The Google IT Support Professional Certificate isn't free, and the cost can vary depending on how long it takes you to complete the program.
The certificate costs about $234 when completed in six months.
It's hosted on Coursera, which has a monthly subscription cost of $39 after a seven-day free trial.
If you complete the program in three months, you can expect to pay around $117.
If life gets busy and it takes you nine months to finish, the cost will be about $351.
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Duration of IT Certificate
The duration of an IT certificate can vary depending on your learning pace. On average, it takes about six months to complete the Google IT Support Certificate, assuming you dedicate around 10 hours per week to the coursework.
This timeframe can be flexible, and some learners may finish the program in less time, while others may take longer due to shifting priorities.
According to Coursera's 2023 Learner Report, only 14% of US users complete a professional certificate, which highlights the importance of staying on track.
However, with a structured program like Merit America, you can increase your chances of success, as they have an 80% completion rate and many learners go on to gain family-sustaining careers.
Career Prospects
With the Google IT Support Professional Certificate, you'll have access to a wide range of job opportunities. The certificate is recognized by many top employers in the IT industry, including companies like Anthem, Deloitte, Walmart, and Accenture.
You'll have the chance to work in entry-level roles like IT support specialist, help desk technician, and technical support representative. These jobs require fundamental skills in IT support, which the certificate program covers.
More than 130 employers are looking for talented professionals like you, and participants who complete the certificate can share their resumes with these recruiters.
CompTIA A+ vs IT Certificate: Comparison
The CompTIA A+ certification is a well-established credential recognized in the IT industry for its comprehensive coverage of hardware, software, networking, and security. It's ideal for those seeking a broad understanding of IT support.
The Google IT Support Professional Certificate, on the other hand, targets beginners and career changers, emphasizing hands-on labs and practical skills with direct job placement support through Google's partnerships.
Both certifications have their own unique features, but let's break down the key differences.
Here's a comparison of the two certifications:
The Google IT Support Professional Certificate is not entirely free, as it requires a Coursera subscription fee on top of the initial cost.
Job Prospects with IT Certificate
The Google IT Support Professional Certificate is recognized by many top employers in the IT industry, including companies like Anthem, Deloitte, Walmart, Accenture, and more.
This certificate prepares individuals for entry-level jobs in IT support and covers essential IT support skills, including troubleshooting, customer service, networking, operating systems, system administration, and IT security.
With over 130 employers looking for talented professionals, the job prospects are promising. Participants who complete the certificate can share their resumes with recruiters from these top companies.
The certificate provides a strong foundation of knowledge and practical skills, making it a viable pathway to securing an entry-level job in IT support.
Here are some of the top employers that recognize the Google IT Support Professional Certificate:
- Anthem
- Deloitte
- Walmart
- Accenture
- Hulu
- Sprint
If you don't earn at least $40,000 per year within two years of completing the program, you don't pay anything, thanks to the Merit America Guarantee.
Does the Certificate Prep for CompTIA A+?
The Google IT Support Professional Certificate program is designed to prepare you for the CompTIA A+ exams. It aligns with the objectives covered by the newly updated CompTIA A+ certification.
You can download the CompTIA A+ exam objectives after completing the certificate program to ensure you've studied everything before taking the exams. This is a great way to gauge your readiness and make a plan to review any areas you're unsure about.
If you pass the CompTIA A+ certification exams after completing the certificate, you'll have access to a new dual credential from CompTIA and Google. This badge can be posted on LinkedIn to catch the attention of potential employers.
Program Structure
The Google IT Support Professional Certificate is a comprehensive program designed to equip learners with essential IT support skills. The certificate consists of five courses, each covering different aspects of IT support.
The program begins with Technical Support Fundamentals, introducing students to IT basics, including computer hardware, software, networking, troubleshooting, and customer service. This course lays the foundation for the rest of the program.
Here's an overview of the courses:
- Course One: Technical Support Fundamentals
- Course Three: Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking
- Course Three: Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User
- Course Four: System Administration and IT Infrastructure Services
- Course Five: IT Security: Defense Against the Digital Dark Arts
By dedicating 8-10 hours a week to the courses, you can get your Certificate in roughly six months.
What Is IT?
IT is the backbone of any modern organization, and it's essential to understand what it entails. IT support is all about troubleshooting and problem-solving when technology fails, and providing great customer service along the way.
The Google IT Support Professional Certificate curriculum is designed to equip learners with essential IT support skills. It consists of five courses, each covering different aspects of IT support.
Here are the five courses that make up the Google IT Support Professional Certificate:
- Technical Support Fundamentals: Introduces students to IT basics, including computer hardware, software, networking, troubleshooting, and customer service.
- Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking: Delves into the fundamentals of networking, including understanding protocols, cloud computing, and practical troubleshooting techniques.
- Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User: Focuses on operating systems, system management, and hardware configuration.
- System Administration and IT Infrastructure Services: Covers infrastructure services and directory services, and teaches how to manage computers and users in a business setting.
- IT Security: Defense Against the Digital Dark Arts: Introduces IT security concepts, tools, and best practices, and teaches how to protect networks and data.
Operating Systems for Power Users
You can navigate the Windows and Linux filesystems using both a graphical user interface and a command line interpreter.
To become a power user, you'll need to learn how to set up users, groups, and permissions for account access.
Installing, configuring, and removing software on Windows and Linux operating systems is a crucial task for any power user.
Configuring disk partitions and filesystems is another important skill to master.
Understanding how system processes work will help you manage them effectively.
Working with system logs and remote connection tools is also essential for troubleshooting common issues.
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Course 2: The Basics
The second course in the Google IT Support Professional Certificate program is "The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking". By the end of this course, you'll be able to describe computer networks in terms of a five-layer model. This course covers standard protocols involved with TCP/IP communications, network troubleshooting tools and techniques, network services like DNS and DHCP, cloud computing, and everything as a service.
You'll also learn about cloud storage, which is a crucial aspect of modern IT. This course is designed to be interactive, with hands-on labs and projects that simulate real-world IT problems. This practical experience is essential for making you job-ready in the IT field.
Here's a breakdown of what you can expect to learn in this course:
- Describe computer networks in terms of a five-layer model
- Understand all of the standard protocols involved with TCP/IP communications
- Grasp powerful network troubleshooting tools and techniques
- Learn network services like DNS and DHCP that help make computer networks run
- Understand cloud computing, everything as a service, and cloud storage
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Google IT support certificate useful?
Yes, the Google IT Support Certificate is a valuable credential that can prepare you for entry-level IT support jobs and is recognized by top employers in the industry. It covers essential skills in troubleshooting, customer service, and more.
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