Columbus State University is breaking new ground in workforce education by embedding industry-recognized certification opportunities directly into its existing academic courses. This forward-thinking initiative builds on the success seen in CSU’s Cybersecurity program and begins with high-demand areas, including generative AI, finance and project management.

The university is pioneering this incorporation of workforce-ready certificates into students’ existing courses, which shows a true relevance to what they are studying, said Dr. Dustin Anderson, CSU’s provost & chief academic officer.

Through this innovative model, students enrolled in select classes in CSU’s Turner College of Business & Technology complete traditional coursework but have external industry certification exams as part of the course, or as an option after the course. Students who pass those exams receive credentials recognized by employers across multiple industries—thereby adding immediate workforce value to their academic experience.

“This is another powerful step in our path of providing a truly workforce-ready education,” Anderson said. “My thanks to our faculty and Continuing & Professional Education division’s leadership for conceiving this and bringing the idea to fruition. We’re not just preparing students to graduate—we’re preparing them to launch their careers with meaningful, demonstrable skills that set them apart from their fellow job seekers.”

The first certifications offered—Generative AI and Project Management—were selected based on direct employer feedback and regional workforce demand. These credentials come from respected industry organizations, including the Project Management Institute and Intuit, ensuring alignment with widely accepted industry standards and offering immediate value in fields like business, healthcare, technology and logistics.

“Employers are clear: they want graduates who can apply knowledge on day one,” said Samantha Miller Gurski, director of CSU’s Continuing & Professional Education. “This initiative demonstrates that Columbus State already teaches workforce-ready skills—we're strategically making that learning visible and credible through recognized industry credentials that resonate with employers and add immediate value in the workplace.”

The credentials are also available to the public through Continuing & Professional Education, she said.

The Generative AI certification introduces students to foundational and applied aspects of emerging AI technologies, including ethical use, prompt engineering and productivity tools transforming the workplace. The Project Management certificate supports a curriculum that prepares students to lead teams, manage resources and deliver on-time results using modern project frameworks. The Personal Finance certification provides students with practical financial literacy skills valued across all industries.

These certifications are stackable and portable, meaning students can continue to build on them throughout their academic or professional careers, or in graduate study. Columbus State is exploring expanded certification offerings in future semesters, with potential additions in fields such as data analytics, digital marketing and cybersecurity.

This initiative represents Columbus State’s broader commitment to workforce-aligned education prioritized in its recently launched five-year strategic plan. From providing academic and career coaches for every student to developing pathways for credentialed success, the university is focused on helping students thrive both during and after their time on campus.