LaGuardia Community College Introduces AI Certificate Program
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (September 18, 2024) — LaGuardia Community College/CUNY introduces an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Certificate Program to help New Yorkers gain essential AI fluency and skills. This program aims to support students and professionals from various fields, including healthcare, administration, and technology, in enhancing their careers and understanding AI.
“We want students to see AI as a valuable tool that complements a wide range of professional skill-sets,” said Hannah Weinstock, Senior Director of Workforce Development at LaGuardia. “Our program aims to dispel fears about AI and show that everyone can find a place in an AI-driven future. We want to bridge the tech gap by giving students the skills and language they need to leverage AI in the workplace and to join AI-related discussions and decisions.”
The curriculum, developed in partnership with Intel through its AI Workforce Program, focuses on practical, human-centered AI approaches. Students will work on projects, create their own AI models, and learn techniques like machine learning and prompt engineering. The program is taught by experienced instructors with expertise in AI, data science, and strategic decision-making.
LaGuardia’s AI Certification Program combines theory, practical application, and independent research to give students a well-rounded understanding of AI. It starts with foundational courses in AI concepts and Python programming for machine learning. Students then choose from intermediate courses in areas like computer vision, natural language processing, and AI for problem-solving. These courses can be taken in any order, allowing customization based on interests and career goals. The program concludes with a final project that challenges students to apply their AI knowledge to real-world problems.
Upon completing the program, students will receive a certification in AI from LaGuardia, demonstrating their expertise and readiness to tackle AI challenges in their careers. Two of the four intermediate courses are required for certification.
The AI Certificate Program is open to everyone, from young professionals entering the workforce to older individuals seeking to stay relevant in their careers. A high school diploma or GED is required to enroll. Classes begin on September 23, 2024, with courses offered during evenings and weekends to accommodate students who are working and pursuing associate degrees.
For more information about the AI Certificate Program at LaGuardia Community College, contact program manager Kelsey Harro at kharro@lagcc.cuny.edu or (718) 482-5449. To enroll, click here. Each course costs $558-560.
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LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC), a Hispanic-Serving Institution, located in Long Island City, Queens offers more than 50 associate degrees and academic certificates, and more than 65 continuing education programs to prepare New Yorkers for transfer to senior colleges and rewarding jobs and careers. An institution of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his advocacy of the underserved. Since 1971, LaGuardia’s academic programs and support services have advanced the socioeconomic mobility of students from Queens, NYC and beyond.
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