Stay relevant in the AI-driven workforce

Artificial intelligence isn’t just evolving. It’s accelerating at supersonic speed.

For Rizwan Virani, who helped design San Jacinto College’s new AI foundations advanced technical certificate, that pace is part of the appeal.

“You’re building the plane as it’s flying,” said Virani, San Jac senior director of cybersecurity programs.

Launching this fall, the AI certificate program creates a structured, accessible path for working professionals to learn foundational AI principles and apply skills to real-world scenarios.

Looking to future-proof or level up your career? Virani shares how this program can help:

Q: Why is San Jac offering this program now?

A: AI has transitioned from this specialized, advanced field into a skill expected across the workforce. Employees are expected not only to use AI tools but also to understand how they work so they can evaluate outputs and apply them responsibly.

AI skills give you job security: You're prepared for what your job needs.

Q: Who is this program designed for?

A: It’s for individuals who already hold an associate degree or higher in any field who want to strengthen their career with AI literacy and these applied skills. Technology's evolving quickly, so this program gives both early-career and mid-career professionals a way to stay relevant.

Q: How will the classes accommodate working professionals?

A: The program will be delivered in an “online anytime” format with recorded lectures and weekly deadlines so you can work at your own pace. Students can complete the program in one year on a fast track or in about 18 months with breaks.

Q: Why pursue this versus a free or shorter training?

A: This program focuses on applied, industry-relevant learning. Thanks to partnerships we’ve built with tech companies, students will use real AI tools in real-world scenarios to complete applied projects:

• Model Garden and NotebookLM from Google
• Azure AI Studio and GitHub Copilot from Microsoft
• IBM Watson Ecosystem from IBM
• Deep Learning Institute Tools from NVIDIA

Unlike short courses, this gives you a rigorous learning path with faculty guidance and an accredited credential that signals to employers that you've completed a comprehensive and applied program.

Q: How does the program stay current with AI trends?

A: The program’s core principles do not change, such as machine learning fundamentals, data governance, security considerations, and responsible AI use.

Where we stay current is in the applied side of the curriculum. AI tools, platforms, and use cases are changing rapidly, so we continuously update how students interact with those technologies through labs, projects, and case studies.

We also integrate real-world use cases and feedback from practitioners, ensuring that what students learn reflects how AI is being used today. Updates are less about rewriting the entire curriculum and more about refining how students apply AI in their work environment.

Q: What will the external learning experience look like?

A: For the capstone — or practicum — experience, working professionals can complete a project that's relevant to their employer, focusing on applying AI to improve a process, analyze data, or support decision-making in their organization. This brings immediate value to their employer and connects what they're learning to real-world business challenges.

Students who don't have a job yet will work with one of our industry partners on their capstone project.

Q: Anything else you want to add?

A: AI is not just a technical skill set that is walled off to certain types of workers. The more you know about these tools and how they can be applied within your industry vertical, the more valuable you'll be to your current or future employer.

Learn more about the AI certificate

AI Program at a Glance:

• Length: 21 credit hours (1-1.5 years)
• Cost: $1,743 for in-district students (financial aid is available)
• Enrollment: Open each fall and spring
• Learn more: Attend virtual info sessions (find links at sanjac.edu/calendar):
  • July 1: 6-6:30 p.m.
  • July 8: 6-6:30 p.m.
  • July 29: 12-12:30 p.m.

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About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. The College is ranked second in the nation among more than 1,100 community colleges, as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020 and 2026. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution that spans five campuses, plus an online college, San Jacinto College serves approximately 45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s. San Jacinto College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.