Google UX Design Certificate

A 6-month program on Coursera that Google designed as an alternative to a 4-year design degree. It covers user research, wireframing, prototyping in Figma, and usability testing. Google considers it equivalent to a bachelor's degree for their own hiring. The course is technically $49/month on Coursera, but financial aid is available (effectively free for those who qualify), and the content can be audited for free. Over 1 million enrollments. 75% of graduates report a positive career outcome (new job, raise, or promotion) within 6 months. The portfolio projects alone are enough to start applying for junior UX roles.