St. Cloud State University Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) is joining forces with Ziplines Education, a national career accelerator focused on upskilling professionals at all stages of their careers, to offer a powerful portfolio of online certificate programs. These offerings aim to empower professionals across Minnesota with the in-demand digital and management skills employers are seeking in today’s rapidly evolving economy.

The partnership will introduce online programs in Product Management, Digital Marketing, Business Analytics, Project Management, Salesforce Administration, and AI Prompting. Built to be accessible, practical, and industry-aligned, these certificate courses are designed for working professionals, career changers, and lifelong learners seeking relevance in a technology-first workforce.

“At PACE, we believe in meeting learners where they are and helping them grow into the professionals they aspire to become,” said Abram Hedtke, M.Ed., Executive Director of Professional and Continuing Education at St. Cloud State. “Whether you’re pivoting careers or upskilling for your current role, this partnership allows us to bring flexible, future-forward programs to Central Minnesota—and beyond—at the pace that works best for each learner.”

That mission is shared by Ziplines Education, a national career accelerator that partners with more than 30 leading universities to deliver workforce-aligned online certificate programs. Each course combines live instruction, hands-on assignments, and industry-recognized credentials—supported by a robust ecosystem of career coaching and learner advocacy.

Labor market trends back the urgency of this work.. According to Lightcast, in the past six months, Minnesota has seen a significant rise in demand for tech-forward skills:

• Job postings seeking generative AI and ChatGPT skills are up 74%.
• Openings for product managers have risen 23%.
• Demand for digital marketing managers has more than doubled, surging 114%

“In a moment where technology is reshaping the workforce faster than most institutions can adapt, professionals need fast, practical ways to gain job-ready skills,” said Sara Leoni, CEO of Ziplines Education. “Our partnership with St. Cloud State University is about more than just delivering courses—it’s about creating real pathways to opportunity. Together, we’re helping learners build confidence, stay competitive, and thrive in a changing economy.”

St. Cloud State University’s certificate programs include:

• Digital Marketing: Industry certifications in HubSpot, Google Ads, and Google Analytics.
• Business Analytics: Industry-recognized training in data analysis and visualization to enhance strategic decision-making and drive business impact.
• Product Management: Certifications from ProductBoard, Jira Software, and Amplitude Analytics.
• Salesforce Administration: Salesforce Trailhead badges covering key sales enablement and CRM skills.
• AI Prompting: Practical AI skills using ChatGPT for business applications, including content creation, data analysis, and workflow automation.
• Project Management: Jira Software Essentials Associate Certification and hours toward the Project Management Institute’s CAPM Certification.

Enrollment is now open, with cohorts beginning in August 2025.

To learn more and sign up, visit pace.stcloudstate.edu.