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Quick facts
- Offered by
- Google, on Coursera
- Level
- Beginner. No experience or degree required.
- Length
- 6 courses, about 122 hours. Coursera estimates 3 months at 10 hours a week.
- Cost
- Paid by subscription, so finishing faster costs less. Prices are shown in your local currency (in Canada, Coursera Plus is CA$82 a month). 7-day free trial; financial aid available.
- Rating
- 4.8 out of 5 from 215,824 course reviews; over 2.1 million people enrolled
- Extras
- Prepares you for the CompTIA A+ exams. ACE-recommended for up to 15 college credits at participating US schools.
What you'll learn
The program covers the day-to-day work of an IT support specialist: setting up computers, fixing network problems, managing users and systems, and keeping things secure. It uses hands-on labs as well as video lessons, and includes Linux and the command line.
| Course | Topic | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Technical Support Fundamentals | Hardware, operating systems, troubleshooting, customer service | 19 |
| 2. The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking | TCP/IP, DNS, wireless networks, network troubleshooting | 22 |
| 3. Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User | Windows and Linux, the command line, software and user management | 28 |
| 4. System Administration and IT Infrastructure Services | Servers, directory services, cloud services, backups | 24 |
| 5. IT Security: Defense against the digital dark arts | Encryption, authentication, network security | 23 |
| 6. Accelerate Your Job Search with AI | Resume, job-search plan and interview prep | 6 |
What it costs
There's no single price tag. You pay Coursera a monthly subscription for as long as you're enrolled, so the total depends on how fast you finish. At Coursera's estimate of 3 months, that's three monthly payments. If you can put in more hours a week, you'll pay for fewer months.
- Free trial: the first 7 days are free, which is enough to try the first course before you're charged.
- Coursera Plus: one subscription that includes this certificate and thousands of other courses. It's worth it if you plan to take a second certificate afterward, such as Google's IT Automation with Python.
- Financial aid: Coursera offers aid on this program if the cost is a barrier. You apply from the course page.
Jobs and pay
The certificate is built for entry-level roles such as IT support specialist, help desk technician and desktop support technician. Coursera's course page cites these figures from Lightcast job-posting data:
| Country | Median entry-level salary | Open IT support jobs |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $70,000 | 287,000+ |
| Canada | CA$65,777 | 21,083 |
Graduates can also apply to a group of more than 150 US employers that recruit from Google's certificate programs, including Google, Deloitte, Target and Verizon. In a 2022 survey of US graduates, 75% reported a new job, promotion or raise within six months of finishing.
Is it worth it?
Good reasons to take it
- You want into IT and don't have a degree or experience.
- You need to study around a job. Everything is self-paced.
- You plan to take CompTIA A+ anyway. This program prepares you for it.
Things to know first
- The certificate alone doesn't guarantee a job. Many employers also want CompTIA A+ or some hands-on experience, so plan for both.
- Self-paced only works if you keep a schedule. Without one, the subscription keeps billing while you stall.
- The 75% outcome figure is self-reported by US graduates in 2022. Results vary by location and effort.
How to start
- Open the certificate page on Coursera and start the free trial.
- Block out about 10 hours a week, for example an hour on weeknights plus a few hours on the weekend.
- Finish course 1 within the trial week to see if the pace suits you.
- After the last course, book the CompTIA A+ exams while the material is fresh.
Try the Google IT Support Certificate free for 7 days
Beginner friendly, no degree needed, about 3 months part-time.
See the program on CourseraWe may earn a commission if you enroll. Prices and terms are set by Coursera.
Common questions
Do I need any IT experience?
No. The program is rated beginner level and starts from the basics of how computers work.
Is it the same as CompTIA A+?
No. It's a separate Google credential that prepares you for the A+ exams. If you pass A+ as well, you hold both.
Can it count toward a degree?
It carries an ACE credit recommendation of up to 15 college credits. Whether a school accepts them is up to that school.
Is it available outside the US?
Yes. It's online, taught in English, and available in 6 languages. The employer group is US-based, but the skills apply anywhere.
Sources: Coursera, Google IT Support Professional Certificate and Coursera Plus, both checked September 30, 2026. Salary and job figures are Lightcast data as cited by Coursera.