As water systems across the Southwest face mounting pressures ranging from aging infrastructure to water supply challenges, the need for a prepared, adaptable water workforce has never been more urgent. Arizona State University’s Water Management Certificate was designed to meet this moment, offering a practical, accessible pathway into one of the region’s most critical fields. Now in its third cohort, the 15-week, noncredit certificate has already enrolled more than 600 learners, with over 1,000 applicants from across the United States. The program brings together working professionals, graduate students, career changers and community members, many of whom are encountering water management as a career option for the first time.