--- title: "Mastering ChatGPT (OpenAI) — free course with certificate" description: "Models, memory, Projects, data, images, voice, deep research, GPTs, agents, apps, Codex and the OpenAI API, used expertly" url: https://optimizeall.com/learn/mastering-chatgpt updated: 2026-10-05 --- AI · Intermediate · 494 minutes · free · updated Sep 2026 # Mastering ChatGPT (OpenAI) Models, memory, Projects, data, images, voice, deep research, GPTs, agents, apps, Codex and the OpenAI API, used expertly - **Lessons:** 19 in 8 modules - **Video lectures:** 19 lectures, 161 minutes - **Updated:** Sep 2026 ## Tools you'll use - ChatGPT - ChatGPT Work - Custom GPTs - Codex - OpenAI API - OpenAI Agents SDK - Model Context Protocol (MCP) - Google Drive - Microsoft SharePoint - Slack - Zapier - n8n [Start the course](https://optimizeall.com/learn/mastering-chatgpt/reasoning-vs-fast-models) ## About this course ChatGPT has become a full work platform, and this course is updated for September 2026. You will learn when fast answers are enough and when to use thinking or Pro models, set up custom instructions, memory and **Projects**, analyse files and data with code you can verify, create and review images (including Images 2.5), practise with voice, and research with search and **deep research** without being misled. You will then build custom **GPTs**, draft in canvas, delegate multi-step work to ChatGPT's agent experience (ChatGPT Work), connect apps and plugins with sensible permissions, and use **Codex** for coding tasks. Two hands-on integration lessons use the OpenAI **Responses API**: structured outputs, function calling with your CRM, remote MCP servers and the Agents SDK. The course closes with privacy controls and Business/Enterprise administration and rollout. Every lesson includes a narrated lecture, copy-paste prompts or code, a worked example and a practical activity. ## What you will learn - Choose fast, thinking or Pro models and write structured prompts that produce usable first drafts - Configure custom instructions, memory and Projects for consistent, private, client-safe work - Analyse files and data with verifiable code, and create or review images responsibly - Research with search and deep research, then verify sources before using findings - Build and test custom GPTs, use canvas, and delegate agent tasks and Codex work with safeguards - Integrate OpenAI models with business tools using the Responses API, function calling, MCP and the Agents SDK - Apply privacy settings and Business/Enterprise admin controls to roll ChatGPT out responsibly ## Course content ### ChatGPT foundations Choose between fast, thinking and Pro models in 2026, master the prompt structure that works, and set up your ChatGPT workspace securely. - [Models in 2026: fast answers vs thinking, and how to choose](https://optimizeall.com/learn/mastering-chatgpt/reasoning-vs-fast-models): 14 min - [Prompting fundamentals that work in ChatGPT](https://optimizeall.com/learn/mastering-chatgpt/prompting-fundamentals-in-chatgpt): 14 min - [A guided tour of the ChatGPT workspace](https://optimizeall.com/learn/mastering-chatgpt/chatgpt-workspace-tour): 14 min ### Personalisation and Projects Make ChatGPT work your way with custom instructions and memory, and organise recurring work in Projects with project-only memory. - [Custom instructions and memory](https://optimizeall.com/learn/mastering-chatgpt/custom-instructions-and-memory): 14 min - [Projects: organise recurring work](https://optimizeall.com/learn/mastering-chatgpt/projects-in-chatgpt): 14 min ### Files, data, images and voice Analyse documents and spreadsheets with verifiable numbers, create and review images responsibly, and use voice for thinking and rehearsal. - [File uploads and data analysis](https://optimizeall.com/learn/mastering-chatgpt/file-uploads-and-data-analysis): 16 min - [Image generation and vision](https://optimizeall.com/learn/mastering-chatgpt/image-generation-and-vision): 15 min - [Voice: talk, think and practise out loud](https://optimizeall.com/learn/mastering-chatgpt/voice-conversations): 13 min ### Web search and deep research Get current, cited answers with search and run deep research investigations, with a rigorous verification habit. - [Web search: current answers with sources](https://optimizeall.com/learn/mastering-chatgpt/web-search-in-chatgpt): 14 min - [Deep research: multi-step investigations with citations](https://optimizeall.com/learn/mastering-chatgpt/deep-research-workflow): 16 min ### Custom GPTs, canvas and agents Build reusable custom GPTs, edit long documents and code in canvas, and delegate multi-step work to ChatGPT Work and agents with proper oversight. - [Building custom GPTs](https://optimizeall.com/learn/mastering-chatgpt/building-custom-gpts): 17 min - [Canvas: editing writing and code side by side](https://optimizeall.com/learn/mastering-chatgpt/canvas-editing-for-writing-and-code): 14 min - [ChatGPT Work and agents: delegating multi-step tasks safely](https://optimizeall.com/learn/mastering-chatgpt/agents-and-automation-concepts): 17 min ### Apps, plugins and Codex Connect ChatGPT to your tools with apps, plugins and MCP under sensible permissions, and use Codex to delegate coding work safely. - [Apps, plugins and connected data in ChatGPT](https://optimizeall.com/learn/mastering-chatgpt/apps-and-plugins-in-chatgpt): 16 min - [Codex: OpenAI’s coding agent for builders and teams](https://optimizeall.com/learn/mastering-chatgpt/codex-for-builders): 16 min ### The OpenAI API and business integrations Call OpenAI models from your own software with the Responses API, then integrate with CRMs, chat tools and MCP servers using function calling and the Agents SDK. - [The OpenAI API: Responses API fundamentals with working code](https://optimizeall.com/learn/mastering-chatgpt/openai-api-fundamentals): 18 min - [Integrations: function calling, MCP and the Agents SDK with your business tools](https://optimizeall.com/learn/mastering-chatgpt/openai-api-business-integrations): 20 min ### Privacy, data controls and team usage Protect personal and client data with ChatGPT's controls and roll ChatGPT out across an organisation with policy, admin settings and measurable pilots. - [Privacy and data controls in ChatGPT](https://optimizeall.com/learn/mastering-chatgpt/chatgpt-privacy-and-data-controls): 15 min - [ChatGPT Business and Enterprise: admin, governance and rollout](https://optimizeall.com/learn/mastering-chatgpt/chatgpt-for-teams-and-enterprise): 16 min ## Certificate: Certified ChatGPT Power User The holder has demonstrated expert, responsible use of OpenAI's ChatGPT as of 2026: model and thinking selection, structured prompting, memory and Projects, verified data analysis, image and voice workflows, search and deep research with verification, custom GPTs, canvas, agent tasks, apps and plugins, Codex, OpenAI API integrations with structured outputs and function calling, and privacy-first Business and Enterprise administration. - **Final assessment:** 25 questions, 40 minutes - **Passing score:** 80%