Online Generative AI Certificate

Build practical AI skills, responsible AI judgment and prompt design experience for today’s academic and professional work.

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Credits required

9

Cost per-credit*

$312.75

Delivery

Online

Start Terms

3 Per Year

AI Fundamentals for Real-World Use

The Generative AI Certificate from the University of Nevada, Reno helps undergraduate and non-degree-seeking students build a stronger understanding of AI without prior experience with artificial intelligence.

Through three fully online courses, students learn AI fundamentals, AI ethics, prompt design, responsible AI use and discipline-specific applications of generative AI tools.

*Tuition is $312.75 per credit. Additional fees may apply.

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Learn How to Use Generative AI Responsibly

Generative AI is changing how people write, research and create. This certificate builds AI fundamentals, judgment and skills to evaluate AI-generated content across academic, professional and creative workflows.

Build Practical Skills for an AI-Integrated World

This AI certificate connects core concepts with real-world use. Students practice prompt design, tool selection and evaluation while examining AI ethics, bias, privacy and responsible governance.

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Curriculum Snapshot

Course Summary
NVAI 100 – Fundamentals of Generative AI Study generative AI concepts, including how AI tools and large language models work.
NVAI 310 – AI Ethics Examine ethical, social and legal implications of AI systems, including bias, fairness, privacy and governance.
NVAI 300 – AI in Practice: Applying AI to Your Discipline Learn how to apply AI tools to discipline-specific tasks through prompt design, tool selection and critical assessment of AI-generated outputs.

Students must complete NVAI 100 before enrolling in NVAI 310. Students must complete NVAI 310 before enrolling in NVAI 300.

Please refer to the University Course Catalog for complete details.

Career-Connected Skills

The Generative AI Certificate may support academic and professional interests connected to:

  • AI literacy
  • Prompt design
  • Responsible AI use
  • Ethical AI decision-making
  • AI-generated content evaluation
  • Data literacy
  • Human-AI collaboration
  • Discipline-specific AI application
  • Academic, professional and creative workflows

Career outcomes depend on each student’s major, experience, location and employer requirements.

Who This Program Is For

The Generative AI Certificate is open to undergraduate and non-degree-seeking students from all disciplines who want to build practical skills in generative AI.

This certificate may be a strong fit for:

  • Undergraduates adding AI literacy to their degree
  • Non-degree students seeking a focused AI credential
  • Students using AI in academic, professional or creative work
  • Learners interested in prompt design and responsible AI use
  • Students exploring artificial intelligence without a technical background
  • Learners applying modern AI to discipline-specific workflows

What You’ll Learn

Through this certificate, you will develop a stronger understanding of AI and how to apply AI tools responsibly. The curriculum is designed to help you:

  • Explain core generative AI concepts
  • Understand how large language models work
  • Recognize AI uses and limits
  • Evaluate AI ethics and impacts
  • Examine bias, fairness, privacy and governance
  • Apply AI tools to discipline-specific tasks
  • Improve AI-assisted work with prompts
  • Assess AI-generated content
  • Use data literacy, ethics and human judgment 

By the time you complete the program, you will have practical AI knowledge you can apply in academic, professional and creative workflows.

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Why Choose This Program

Build AI literacy without prior experience

This certificate is designed for students from all disciplines. You do not need previous experience with AI, machine learning, programming or technical development to begin.

Understand how generative AI works

Students learn AI fundamentals, including foundational concepts in generative AI and how large language models work.

Develop prompt design and evaluation skills

The curriculum helps students use AI tools more effectively through prompt design, tool selection and critical assessment of AI outputs.

Study ethical AI and responsible AI use

Students examine AI ethics and the implications of AI systems, including bias, fairness, privacy and responsible governance.

Apply AI to your own discipline

The final course helps students integrate AI into discipline-specific tasks, making the certificate relevant across majors, fields and professional interests.

Earn a Generative AI Certification Online

Move from casual experimentation to confident, responsible use as you learn to question outputs, guide AI tools and bring human judgment into everyday workflows.

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Why Choose the University of Nevada, Reno for Your Generative AI Certificate?

This 9-credit online certificate helps students from all disciplines build AI literacy, ethical reasoning and prompt design skills they can apply in academic, professional and creative work.

Through Nevada Online, students can earn a certificate from the University of Nevada, Reno while learning how to use generative AI tools responsibly.

Benefits of Learning Online with Nevada Online

Classes taught by University of Nevada, Reno faculty

Access to a Carnegie® R1 research university

Choose from accessible, fully online programs

Continue your education from anywhere in the world, free from a fixed schedule

Frequently Asked Questions