New Oakton College AI certificate will prepare students for cutting-edge jobs

Des Plaines, Ill. (Dec. 13, 2023) – As the demand for artificial intelligence (AI) expertise continues to surge, Oakton College is launching a groundbreaking AI certificate that addresses the critical need for skilled professionals in the rapidly evolving landscape. Oakton College’s Board of Trustees voted, Dec. 12, to approve the 12-credit hour Essential Applications of AI Certificate, which can be completed in just one semester.

“Oakton is one of the first colleges in the country to offer an AI certificate designed to provide a solid foundation with a no-code approach to applied artificial intelligence,” said Ragaa Abdallah, chair and professor of Computer Technologies and Information Systems. “Whether you aim for a career with coding or no coding, this certificate is an ideal starting point. It prepares you not only for the jobs of today but also for the jobs of the future, positioning you at the forefront.”

Students can enroll in the Essential Applications of AI Certificate at Oakton in fall 2024, which consists of four courses: Foundational AI, AI Ethics, Prompt Engineering, and No Code Machine Learning. However, this spring, Oakton instructors will teach AI courses at Evanston Township High School. The College received the Illinois Community College Board’s (ICCB) Trades School grant to offer the four courses to ETHS students at no cost as part of the concurrent enrollment program.

Evanston HS students who enroll may be eligible to participate in various paid, work-based learning/internships in the summer as well as in service learning opportunities. In addition, students will earn college credit and those who complete all four courses will receive the certificate.

The certificate will equip students with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to leverage AI tools and techniques for problem-solving, data-driven decision-making, and ethical AI applications across diverse industries. Credits earned through the certificate program can be applied toward an associate of applied science degree.

There is a growing demand for individuals who understand the principles of AI and can apply them without writing a single line of code. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are about 31,700 computer and information science jobs. This includes artificial intelligence specialist jobs. By 2028, the BLS expects this number to grow to about 37,000 jobs, for an increase of about 5,300 jobs. Specifically, the no-code AI platform market size is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 27% from 2023 to 2030, according to Grandview Research Firm.

Some occupations that use no-code or low-code AI include intelligence analysts and business intelligence analysts, while certain security analyst and cyber security engineer positions require no-code AI skills.

To learn more about the Essential Applications of AI Certificate or the AI courses offered at the Evanston Township High School, please email cis@oakton.edu.