The courses below are available for free to current CSU students, faculty and staff across the 23 campus system through the CSU Chancellor's Office systemwide instance of Canvas
Systemwide Canvas AI Courses for Students, Faculty, and Staff
Student AI Microcredential - through the Chancellor's Office Canvas

Academic Applications of AI (AAAI) Microcredential for Students
The Academic Applications of AI (AAAI) Student Microcredential, is a comprehensive program designed by SDSU and is being offered to all CSU students. This course will enhance students understanding of generative AI.
After completing the course, you will be able to:
- Differentiate how language-based and image-based generative AI tools actually work.
- Identify key components of and contextual factors underlying the ethical and responsible use of GenAI tools.
- Explain how GenAI tools can enhance academic and career pursuits as well as when it is inappropriate to use the tools.
- Explore a variety of popular GenAI options.
- Identify multiple strategies to ask AI questions or generate prompts leading to effective querying of GenAI.
Course Commitment: 2-10 hours online, asynchronous.
Digital Credential: Academic Applications of AI Student Microcredential This link will take you to an external website in a new tab.
Click the button below, choose “CSU Employee & Student Login In," select your campus from the dropdown menu, and click the “Enroll in Course” button on the top right.
Self-Enroll This link will take you to an external website in a new tab.
Introduction to Teaching with AI - through the Chancellor's Office Canvas

The Academic Applications of AI (AAAI) Microcredential for Faculty
The Academic Applications of AI (AAAI) Faculty Microcredential, is a comprehensive program designed by SDSU to enhance your understanding of generative AI is now available systemwide. Whether you are a researcher, support staff, or simply curious about AI, this course offers valuable insights. This course was developed by SDSU.
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Articulate and differentiate how language-based and image-based generative AI tools actually work.
- Describe an action plan for ensuring student awareness of bias, privacy, and other ethical concerns inherent in using generative AI tools.
- Construct a syllabus statement on using generative AI tools appropriate to at least one of your courses.
- Understand the variety of popular generative AI options and selectively build a tailored toolkit appropriate to your academic work.
- Iteratively refine prompt results leading to effective querying of generative AI.
Course Commitment: 2-10 hours online, asynchronous.
Digital Credential: Academic Applications of AI Microcredential This link will take you to an external website in a new tab.
Click the button below, choose “CSU Employee & Student Login In," select your campus from the dropdown menu, and click the “Enroll in Course” button on the top right.
Self-Enroll This link will take you to an external website in a new tab.

Introduction to Teaching & Learning with AI for Faculty
Introduction to Teaching & Learning with AI for Faculty, developed by Cal State Monterey Bay and now offered systemwide, is where guided experimentation empowers participants to understand some of the basics of AI functionality, including its workings and methods for detecting its usage. Learn basic AI terminology, engage in hands-on exploration of AI Tools, learn strategies for detecting AI-generated content, and techniques to address potential misuse of AI tools by students. Participants will apply the knowledge gained to develop a personalized AI use policy for their course, and find resources to maintain currency in this dynamic field. Course Faculty Testimonials
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Describe what Artificial Intelligence (AI) means in simple terms.
- Identify various categories of common AI tools and how they can be applied by students and instructors in higher education.
- Consider the application of AI to teaching and learning from an equity-centered perspective.
- Identify and use common AI tools to generate content, such as text, images, and other types of content.
- Discover methods and software for detecting AI-generated images and text.
- Develop individualized course policies related to the use of AI tools in course(s).
Course Commitment: 3 weeks, 20-25 hours, online, asynchronous.
Digital Badge: AI Tools for Teaching and Learning Badge This link will take you to an external website in a new tab.
Dates Offered:
Higher Education Professional & Administrators Microcredential - through the Chancellor's Office Canvas

AI Tools for Higher Ed Staff and Professionals
This fully online 4-week course developed at Fresno State University and now offered systemwide will help you learn the AI Tool Basics, including what they are, as well as why, when and how to use them. By the end of this course, participants should be able to:
- Explain key concepts and concerns related to generative AI (gAI) and its potential applications in the workplace.
- Evaluate available gAI tools for relevance to professional tasks.
- Identify specific areas where gAI could be applied to streamline workflows or address challenges.
- Develop effective prompts for generating relevant and high-quality outputs using gAI tools.
- Discuss critical issues related to ethical and responsible use of AI in the workplace.
- Critically assess the quality and reliability of AI-generated outputs for use.
Course Commitment: 4 weeks, approximately 15-20 hours.
Self-Enroll This link will take you to an external website in a new tab.