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Driven by the sudden migration to remote learning brought by the pandemic, there is evidence of an influx in the number of free online courses—including Ivy League courses—being offered, AND college students enrolling in them.
But online education is not exactly uncharted territory. Even before the lockdowns and school closures happened, many have been opting to earn a degree, acquire new skills, or enhance their competencies the non-traditional (read: digital) way!
In 2021, the National Center for Education Statistics reported that approximately 40% of students enrolled in distance education courses. From thereon, figures have continued to soar because more students now seek—and have discovered—how easy it is to gain access to higher education courses while fulfilling their responsibilities.
Currently, students face the dilemma of whether or not to continue their education due to the financial crisis brought on by COVID-19. Most of them base their choices on the costs of a particular institution.
Many students find online courses as an affordable and feasible alternative to enrolling in a regular college or university. With so many providers offering free online college courses, now may be the best time to pursue your educational goals or feed your curiosity!
Benefits of Online College Courses
Here are some of the most common reasons students enroll in online courses:
Self-paced Learning Style
Lectures are hard to understand at some point; every student has a unique learning capability. While face-to-face learning makes it uncomfortable for students to ask their professors the same questions over and over, online classes allow them to pause, review, and research more materials in between until they fully grasp the subject. The flexibility to study at their pace helps them make the most out of every class.
Enhanced Skills for Employability
When students successfully finish an online degree program, they emerge with excellent time management skills and are usually self-motivated.
These qualities are what employers like to see in their new hires! As students complete their courses and become part of the workforce, they are expected to be prepared and confident at work.
Here are some other skills that you can acquire in an online learning program that are also high in demand among employers:
- Communication Skills
- Writing Skills
- Computer Skills
- Organizational Skills
- Research Skills
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving Skills
- Self-initiative
Well-developed Leadership Skills
Taking online courses helps develop critical leadership skills by using specialized knowledge, implementing efficient procedures, and making rational decisions about appropriate communication practices, like determining when to conduct in-person or virtual meetings.
Through online classes, students engage in discussion boards and collaborate with classmates and instructors. As the program progresses, they become better communicators by projecting a professional image, getting responses, and conveying their ideas via text or online.
Improved Technical Skills
Navigating online lectures requires technical skills; doing it frequently takes learning to a whole new level. With plenty of educational materials and software used during the program, students eventually become well-versed in web navigation.
Employers prefer such proficiency from applicants; this eliminates the need for training in content management systems, collaboration tools, and basic troubleshooting.
Freedom to Study Any Course
Studying online gives students the freedom to choose what they want to learn. Some may wish to get a degree in neuroscience, but they may need to travel because the degree is not offered in their place. With online education, courses, and programs are accessible like those in regular colleges and universities.
Students don’t have to struggle to go to places where only elite schools offer their dream degrees. Online course providers have a broad range in various disciplines that are accessible from home or anywhere.
Here’s Your List of Free Online College Courses
Computer Science/Web Development
Introduction to Computer Vision
In this Intro to Computer Vision course, students learn the fundamentals of image formation, feature detection and matching, camera imaging geometry, and other image formation topics. Students learn to perform image analysis and extract information other than the pixel level.
Anyone interested in working on images in a context-aware way or combining images from multiple scenarios may find this curriculum useful.
| Provider | Udacity |
| Timeline | 16 weeks |
| Offered by | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Advanced Operating Systems
Understanding the functions of the Operating System in a variety of platforms, such as cloud computing, parallel systems, distributed systems, multi-core, and cell phones, is what this curriculum is about. Instructors also explain the synergy between software and hardware, which is responsible for the O.S. and computer to provide a rich user experience.
| Provider | Udacity |
| Timeline | 5 weeks |
| Offered by | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Network Security
Learners develop primary skills in security research in this course. Instructors teach the essential elements of cryptanalysis, cryptography, and systems security. After completing the curriculum, students grasp the essence of network security in modern technology, create attack-resistant systems, and know the trends in attack and defense technologies.
| Provider | Udacity |
| Timeline | Approx. 16 weeks |
| Offered by | Georgia Institute of Technology |
CS50’s Web Programming with Python and JavaScript
The course teaches students to write and use APIs, leverage cloud services like GitHub and Heroku, and create interactive U.I.s. Also, they become familiar with tools, languages, and principles that develop and launch web applications. Upon program completion, students can list the principles, tools, and language that let them design and deploy web applications.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 12 weeks |
| Offered by | Harvard University |
The Computing Technology Inside Your Smartphone
The computer science curriculum outline starts from the fundamental layers of computing technology, from binary numbers to application software, moves to advanced performance techniques, and finishes with the details of actual smartphone processors.
After completing the lectures, students can design a small working computer and identify strategies to make faster processors.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 10 weeks |
| Offered by | Cornell University |
Introduction to Programming for the Visual Arts with p5.js
Joining this course secures access to a complete introduction to the potential of software development. Instructors educate students to have a direct engagement with computers through codes and define the programming’s possibility to create systems, environments, and new modes of expression.
Learning outcomes include the capacity to recognize computers’ history in the context of visual arts, implement creative coding, and define techniques for prototyping online interactive works.
| Provider | Kadenze |
| Timeline | 10 weeks |
| Offered by | University of California, Los Angeles |
Analytics in Python
Proficiency in programming is a crucial skill for pulling out information or knowledge from data successfully. Enrolling in this curriculum teaches learners rudimentary Python and provides a working knowledge about using programs to deal with data.
The lectures require thorough hands-on participation from the students, which, at the end of this program of study, can make them proficient in data management.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 12 weeks |
| Offered by | Columbia University |
Machine Learning for Musicians and Artists
Lectures of this course are about the fundamental machine learning techniques as well as algorithms, application tools, and best practices useful for making new real-time systems in the arts. Instructors reveal the common types of machine learning, its learning pipeline, and the introduction to sensing technologies.
After completion, students can implement machine learning to create real-time interactions.
| Provider | Kadenze |
| Timeline | 7 weeks |
| Offered by | Goldsmiths, University of London |
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
Instructors of this academic program discuss the basics of modern Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and other representative applications of A.I., which include machine learning, robotics, computer vision, and processing natural language.
After completing the lectures, students can characterize the applications and crucial possibilities in the field of A.I.
| Provider | Udacity |
| Timeline | 16 weeks |
| Offered by | Stanford University |
Programming for Data Science
Taking this course allows students to begin their path, leading to a recognized credential through the Big Data MicroMasters program.
By utilizing the hands-on activities and modern ProcessingJS Workspace software, learners, understand the functions of digital technologies and thrive on their coding skills by participating in collaborative projects. Completing the curriculum makes them competent computer science undergraduates.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 10 weeks |
| Offered by | University of Adelaide |
CS50’s Introduction to Game Development
Learn how video games themselves are developed by exploring childhood favorites such as Angry Birds, Super Mario Bros., Flappy Bird, Breakout, Dreadhall, Legend of Zelda, Pong, Pokémon, Match 3, and Portal.
This course will be conducted through lectures and hands-on projects. Students thoroughly understand how games are designed and developed and apply their knowledge to create their own.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 12 weeks |
| Offered by | Harvard University |
Business
Product Management Fundamentals
The curriculum scrutinizes the framework for effective product management by identifying their position in a firm and their key responsibilities. Learners acquire skills and competencies essential to fulfill those responsibilities.
Students broaden their understanding of the role from the lectures about the synergy within the product manager, team, and stakeholders to create successful products.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 4 weeks |
| Offered by | University System of Maryland and the University of Maryland |
Accounting Essentials
The course outline is helpful to MBA students as it explores accounting principles and defines basic financial statements. Instructors discuss the process of data interpretation in those statements to make rational business decisions.
Upon its completion, students can describe the difference between management and financial accounting and create and interpret basic accounting statements.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 6 weeks |
| Offered by | Imperial College London |
Finance Essentials
Planning to take up an MBA in Finance requires the students to know about financial topics like Internal Rate of Return (IRR), capital budgeting, present value, Capital Asset Pricing Model, and equity. Joining this program of study broadens the student’s understanding of financial tools used in everyday business operations worldwide.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 6 weeks |
| Offered by | Imperial College London |
Starting a Business 1: Vision and Opportunity
The course helps students evaluate their visions and search for opportunities to bring them to life. Students explore topics on the entrepreneurial cycle, opportunity business model, and the importance of having a vision in the business. After finishing the lectures, students can list the vision and opportunities for drafting a business plan.
| Provider | FutureLearn |
| Timeline | 2 weeks |
| Offered by | University of Leeds |
Introduction to Actuarial Science
The course deals with a significant amount of mathematics required for understanding how the actuaries approach solves risk problems in finance, banking, insurance, and investment industries.
After completing the classes, students have the ability to describe actuarial science and how mathematical and statistical methods help in risk assessment for various sectors and professions.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 8 weeks |
| Offered by | Australian National University |
Introduction to Bookkeeping
Students get insight into the basics of bookkeeping, which is essential to excel in the finance industry. Discussions in this educational program consist of topics in business transactions, banking systems, and double-entry bookkeeping. They also talk about payroll, ledger accounts, and trial balance preparation and reconciliation.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 6 weeks |
| Offered by | Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) |
Leaders in Global Development
In this academic program, students learn to differentiate leadership and management and familiarize themselves with the fundamental theories and concepts of effective leadership.
After course completion, students acquire the practical skills required to formulate a shared vision, discover individual leadership styles, and determine several types of power and tools for acquiring legitimacy in the development work.
Ultimately, they become competent leaders of development across geographical, organizational, and disciplinary boundaries.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 10 weeks |
| Offered by | University of Queensland |
The Science and Practice of Sustainable Development
The curriculum is part of the Leadership in Global Development MicroMasters program; having work experience in the development sector is useful in maximizing the lectures.
Lecturers explain the practice and policy on sustainable development pathways and impart knowledge of integrating related elements of sustainable development to the role of development leader; students also learn scientific information about planetary boundaries procedures and their impact on international economic development.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 11 weeks |
| Offered by | University of Queensland |
Introduction to Marketing
Understanding the core concepts and tools in marketing is one of the topics of this curriculum. Instructors discuss the importance of market research in integrated marketing communication, brand strategy, pricing, and social media strategy.
After completing the classes, learners can list pricing strategies, know the benefits of marketing metrics, and initiate a basic customer segmentation system.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 6 weeks |
| Offered by | The University of British Columbia |
Business Communications
Educating students about effective communication in a business setting is the main objective of this course. They learn how to draft clear and appropriate supporting business documents and make rational arguments through the presented evidence.
Throughout the program of study, students improve their communication style and refine clarity, impact, and conciseness.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 6 weeks |
| Offered by | The University of British Columbia |
Financial Markets
In this free course, you will learn about the overview of how human society manages risk and fosters enterprise through ideas, methods, and institutions. Leadership skills with a financial mindset are emphasized. You’ll learn the analysis of future prospects and description of current practices.
Behavioral finance and risk management principles are introduced to help students understand how real-world securities, insurance, and banking work. This course is aimed at utilizing such industries effectively and for the betterment of society.
| Provider | Coursera |
| Timeline | 4 weeks |
| Offered by | Yale University |
Engineering
Electric and Conventional Vehicles
Students acquire knowledge of electric and conventional combustion engine powertrains from this curriculum. Throughout the educational program, they learn to calculate energy consumption and performance and simulate them in various driving cycles.
After completing the lectures, they can translate vehicle requirements to powertrain requirements, size powertrain components, and recognize the strengths and weaknesses of electric and conventional powertrains.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 6 weeks |
| Offered by | Chalmers University of Technology |
Model-Based Automotive Systems Engineering
The course is suitable for engineering undergraduates since it is about the mathematical modeling of automotive systems; it covers the basics of mathematical modeling integrated into automotive systems.
After completing the lectures, students obtain a deeper understanding of the development of various mathematical models of dynamical systems and vehicle dynamics modeling and acquire familiarity with the concept of state-space terminology.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 7 weeks |
| Offered by | Chalmers University of Technology |
Dynamics
This academic program teaches students to analyze and anticipate the dynamic behavior of objects, systems, movement, and associated forces.
Students examine the complex mechanical systems that are representative of engineering practice and talk about the kinematics of mechanisms and other topics regarding machines and the dynamics of mechanisms.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 4 weeks |
| Offered by | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Introduction to Aeronautical Engineering
This curriculum is all about flying a plane; instructors teach aeronautics fundamentals and anything about flight mechanics. As part of the syllabus, aeronautics experts explain the fundamentals of flight in three blocks: the history of flight, principles of aerodynamics, and flight mechanics.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 7 weeks |
| Offered by | Delft University of Technology |
A Hands-on Introduction to Engineering Simulations
Teaching how to break down and analyze real-world engineering problems with the help of simulation software is the objective of this academic program.
It necessitates hands-on participation to perform engineering simulations utilizing a tool from ANSYS, Inc. It involves repetitive practice using a standard solution approach to solve multiphysics problems.
Learners become knowledgeable of the fundamental concepts and how to maximize the use of simulation software.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 6 weeks |
| Offered by | Cornell University |
Autonomous Navigation for Flying Robots
This program of study is all about the basic concepts of autonomous navigation for quadcopters, inferring their positions from the sensor readings and navigating them along a trajectory. It discusses 3D geometry, linear control, probabilistic state estimation, and visual odometry.
After completing the lectures, students acquire knowledge of the flight principles of quadrotors, their practical applications, 3D mapping, and visual motion estimation.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 4 weeks |
| Offered by | Technical University of Munich (Technische Universität München) |
The Engineering of Structures Around Us
Understanding how structures work and why they were made that way are questions that students can encounter during lectures of this curriculum. It teaches engineering principles applicable to structural systems everywhere.
After accomplishing the study program, students obtain the skills to conceptually design and create prototypes of buildings and determine the expected loads of the structures and the resulting flow of forces.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 5 weeks |
| Offered by | Dartmouth |
The Art of Structural Engineering: Bridges
Analyzing bridges using the three perspectives, efficiency, economy, and elegance, and understanding how engineering can become art are topics for discussion in this curriculum.
It discovers the economic and social impact of bridge design; this is also among the independent courses on the Art of Structure Engineering.
Students can assess a building within the measures of structural art and perform a bridge structure analysis by the time they finish this academic program.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 8 weeks |
| Offered by | Princeton University |
Introduction to Aerospace Engineering: Astronautics and Human Spaceflight
All about spaceflight and its core principles; these are the topics of the lectures. Students learn how rockets work, their movement, and how to create artificial environments inside the space shuttle for astronauts to survive.
After completing the program of study, students can explain what life without gravity is and how human bodies adapt to space and carry out a spacewalk.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 8 weeks |
| Offered by | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Circuits and Electronics 1: Basic Circuit Analysis
The course is an excellent start for electrical and computer science undergraduates, which teaches basics in circuits and electronics.
Discussions revolve around circuit analysis methods and resistive elements and networks, using a series of online lab exercises, interactive video sequences, and optional tutorials as learning tools.
After the completion, students can characterize the intuitive approach and simplify circuit analysis by employing lumped circuit models and abstraction.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 5 weeks |
| Offered by | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Education
Education for All: Disability, Diversity, and Inclusion
Instructors discuss inclusive education and identify the barriers and how to overcome them as part of the coursework. They explain the practical ways to design a more inclusive learning setting applicable to a particular area.
By the end of the curriculum, learners know the role of the community and family in promoting inclusive education and understand the principles and approaches of inclusive education.
| Provider | FutureLearn |
| Timeline | 6 weeks |
| Offered by | University of Cape Town |
Teaching Young Learners Online
The educational program explores online teaching in theory and practice, guiding educators on planning accessible online lectures and assessments systematically and mastering the process of forming a bond with young students.
By the end of the curriculum, they can apply and administer effective online interactions and recognize privacy and safety issues on the web.
| Provider | FutureLearn |
| Timeline | 3 weeks |
| Offered by | British Council |
Leaders of Learning
This program of study teaches students to develop their theory of learning and understand how it suits the change in the learning landscape.
Students explore designs in leadership, learning, physical, and organizational structure to have a deeper understanding of the transformation in the education sector. After its completion, students can describe leadership in various learning environments.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 10 weeks |
| Offered by | Harvard University |
Saving Schools: Reforming the U.S. Education System
This course discusses the evolution of the U.S. public K-12 education system. Instructors talk about the personalities and historical forces that transformed U.S. school politics and policy, ways to improve American schools’ performance, and the factors effective in education reform.
After completing the classes, learners can categorize the U.S. Education system’s status compared to other countries, teachers’ salary packages, and other alternatives to pay educators.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 10 weeks |
| Offered by | Harvard University |
Academic Integrity: Values, Skills, Action
Throughout the coursework, students explore how to become successful and ethical learners. Also, they read up on the essence of academic integrity and prevent dishonesty, misconduct, and plagiarism. It teaches them the values related to academic integrity.
After course completion, students can demonstrate how to utilize other people’s work with integrity and develop learning skills that promote academic integrity.
| Provider | FutureLearn |
| Timeline | 4 weeks |
| Offered by | University Of Auckland |
Educational Technology
In this academic program, instructors discuss different education technology elements, like pedagogical strategies and research methodologies. The coverage of the learning material given transcends beyond what students could learn in the semester.
Hence, they can pick the areas that support their project objective. Students can describe technology’s impact on education theoretically and design technologies that improve students’ learning after completing the lectures.
| Provider | Udacity |
| Timeline | 16 weeks |
| Offered by | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Preparing for University
This course develops the learners’ analytical, critical thinking, and writing skills appropriate for university education. Lecturers supply the students’ summary of essential skills to review as they start their university path.
Learners know how to cope with the university learning setting and can identify the skills that university professors value from their students after they’ve completed this curriculum.
| Provider | FutureLearn |
| Timeline | 6 weeks |
| Offered by | University of East Anglia |
Interdisciplinary Learning: Working Across Disciplines
Instructors harness the learners’ skills to work over different disciplines throughout the academic program.
Mainly, they cover how disciplines shape and value various types of knowledge and explore techniques for working in an interdisciplinary environment. For those who are into academic research whose topic is in a new realm, this program of study is useful to them.
| Provider | FutureLearn |
| Timeline | 2 weeks |
| Offered by | University of Leeds |
Liberal Arts
The Psychology of Criminal Justice
The Psychology of Criminal Justice course is essential to understanding the impact of behavioral science on the criminal justice system. Students obtain extensive knowledge of the psychology of law and the common misconceptions about the criminal justice system.
After accomplishing the lectures, they can characterize the effectiveness of the law and justice system from a psychological perspective.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 12 weeks |
| Offered by | University of Queensland |
Literature of the English Country House
This academic program explores the role and characterization of the English country house in literature and learns to create an authoritative interpretation of these texts. Included in the study outline is the discussion of selected literary works of Thomas More, Oscar Wilde, and Jane Austen and the history of country house literature in the 16th to 20th centuries.
| Provider | FutureLearn |
| Timeline | 8 weeks |
| Offered by | The University of Sheffield |
Shakespeare Matters
This introductory course covers how Shakespeare manipulated his emotions in his plays, character experience, and how the play’s emotional resonance has significantly affected the modern world.
The coursework involves interactive activities and interviews with people who had parts in Shakespeare’s plays; students also create personal interpretations of Shakespeare.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 5 weeks |
| Offered by | University of Adelaide |
Introductory Psychology
The topics covered for this academic program are how psychologists report the results of measuring mental function and behavior and in-depth learning on perception, consciousness, and mysteries of sleep and dreams.
As the classes progress, students digest the topic of child development and determine the brain’s readiness for learning and pre-wired language. They can classify abnormal behaviors and identify neurotransmitters that influence a person’s behavior after completing the classes.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 10 weeks |
| Offered by | St. Margaret’s Episcopal School |
Climate Change Science and Negotiations
This educational program presents solutions to mitigate the ramifications of global greenhouse gas emissions triggering temperature increases and applying them in various national context improvements.
By the end of this curriculum, learners have assimilated the global negotiation procedures and agreements to control climate change, as well as the importance of the 2-degree limit to avoid possible catastrophic changes to the Earth.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 10 weeks |
| Offered by | SDG Academy |
Introduction to Human Evolution
Students examine the significant changes in human evolution and the methodologies used by paleoanthropologists to develop such knowledge in this program of study.
Furthermore, they explore the human lineage to distinguish it from apes and other theories that shape the concept of human evolution. After completing the lectures, they can list the approaches that scientists use to reconstruct evolutionary history.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 4 weeks |
| Offered by | Wellesley College |
Making and Meaning in the Medieval Manuscript
This curriculum brings back the learners to the making of manuscripts in the Western Middle Ages. They scrutinize the complexity of the manuscript, which is impossible to identify between text and image; instead, letters represent imagistic forms, and images assume the form of letters.
After accomplishing the academic program, students can describe the experiences of listeners and readers of books in the Middle Ages.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 8 weeks |
| Offered by | Harvard University |
Scrolls in the Age of the Book
This introductory course provides a study of Medieval scrolls, their uses, and their historical significance. The class explores the codex and how it became the dominant container for writing following the 4th century.
By the end of this program of study, learners can compare scrolls and codices, recognize different layouts and decorations used for scrolls, and become proficient in the scroll-making process.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 6 weeks |
| Offered by | Harvard University |
Age of Globalization
This curriculum is all about determining and analyzing global systems and how the world works. Students have a closer look at man-made systems that are the source of communication, governance, transportation, and entertainment on a global scale.
They can formulate analytical perspectives on globalization and recognize historical and cultural systems that control globalization after finishing the academic program.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 4 weeks |
| Offered by | The University of Texas at Austin |
U.S. Government – Foundations, Democracy & Politics
This program of study explores the Constitution, political procedures, and democracy in the U.S. There are lectures about the U.S. government’s primary principles, the political institutions that are running it, and the generated policies.
Learners can define crucial facts, concepts, and theories related to U.S. politics and government and explain common patterns of legislative procedures and behaviors after completing the modules.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 6 weeks |
| Offered by | Purdue University |
Global History of Capitalism
The course explores the complexity of capitalism by examining various topics related to capitalism’s evolution and investigating different types of impacts on a domestic and international scale.
After finishing the classes, students can identify the trigger points and procedures in the global history of capitalism and comprehend the connection between commodities, globalization, and OPEC’s role in the history of capitalism.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 6 weeks |
| Offered by | Princeton University |
The Science of Well-Being
This course will involve a series of challenges designed to make you happier and more productive. To prepare for these tasks, Professor Laurie Santos discusses misperceptions about happiness, annoying mental features that lead to our behavior, and research that enables us to alter our patterns.
It will ultimately be possible for you to integrate a specific wellness activity into your daily life successfully.
| Provider | Coursera |
| Timeline | 4 weeks |
| Offered by | Yale University |
Resilient Leadership
This lesson examines the historic Endurance expedition of explorer Ernest Shackleton as an example of leading through adversity. You will learn all about the importance of engagement, positivity, and teamwork that helped Shackleton and his crew survive a life-threatening crisis in Antarctica.
Throughout this course, you’ll discover leadership insights you can use in the workplace.
| Provider | Harvard Business School Online |
| Timeline | 35 minutes |
| Offered by | Harvard University |
Journalism/Writing
Media Writing and Editing
A course about the proper way to report, write, and research for news media platforms is vital to journalism undergraduates. It educates students about real-life reporting and interviewing to tell real stories with facts and quotes.
They also learn the strict code of ethics for fair and accurate reporting and know how to use an inverted pyramid and feature style of writing.
| Provider | Canvas |
| Commitment | 3hrs/week |
| Offered by | The Ohio State University |
Italian Language and Culture: Beginner
This exciting curriculum educates students on the basics of the Italian language and culture through different learning tools like videos and podcasts. They can learn the four primary skills–reading, writing, speaking, and listening in the context of Italian culture.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 12 weeks |
| Offered by | Wellesley College |
Activism and Citizen Journalism through Media
This academic program is useful in educating students about determining a newsworthy story, choosing the suitable media for making the story known to the public, and evaluating its impact. Students try to assimilate the ethical way to work both as activist and citizen journalists, as well as recognize a relevant strategy and tool to get to a specific target audience.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 4 weeks |
| Offered by | University of the Witwatersrand |
Bioethics: The Law, Medicine, and Ethics of Reproductive Technologies and Genetics
This curriculum is an introduction to bioethics and the application of ethical and legal reasoning. Interviews with people who went for surrogacy and sperm donation serve as educational materials in this program.
Learners who finished this educational program can explain how the reproductive technology sector works and the issues arising from marketing human reproductive materials.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 10 weeks |
| Offered by | Harvard University |
Responsible Innovation: Ethics, Safety, and Technology
Engineering students seeking a methodical approach to evaluate responsible innovations may find this program of study helpful. It shows the framework for innovating responsibly and how to incorporate societal values in the process.
As a learning outcome, students are expected to recognize the importance of incorporating ethical questions into new technology, define different ways to evaluate the risks and characterize several types of innovation and the conditions for success.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 7 weeks |
| Offered by | Delft University of Technology |
Modern & Contemporary American Poetry (“ModPo”)
The curriculum is an introduction to contemporary and modern U.S. poetry with a concentration on experimental verse. Instructors present how to read “difficult” poems through video and community discussions. Included in the lectures are topics about the rise of poetic modernism, communist poets, and formalism during the 1950s.
| Provider | Coursera |
| Timeline | 10 weeks |
| Offered by | University of Pennsylvania |
Writing for Social Justice
Professors teach students how to fully utilize writing to initiate personal, social, and political changes that matter. By writing compelling content, it can change minds and present solutions to recurring issues.
Writing for Social Justice teaches students the significance of using appropriate words in writing varied genres to reach the targeted audience.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 4 weeks |
| Offered by | Berkeley |
Rhetoric -The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking
The course is an intro to the theory and practice of rhetoric, which includes the various rhetorical devices in writing and speaking. In the course of the study, students recognize logical fallacies in arguments, evaluate the strength of an argument, and write a persuasive opinion editorial.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 8 weeks |
| Offered by | Harvard University |
Religious Literacy: Traditions and Scriptures
Instructors present case studies about the diversity of religions, their evolution, and how they are embedded in various dimensions of human experience.
This curriculum examines these tenets using scriptures and via different themes like gender and sexuality, violence and peace, and power and authority.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 4 weeks |
| Offered by | Harvard University |
Art & Design
18th-Century Opera: Handel & Mozart
A study of classical and baroque opera, this curriculum brings back students to a time when Handel’s Giulio Cesare premiered. They learn to appreciate the typical characteristics of Italian opera.
Toward the end, the class describes Mozart’s Don Giovanni, the challenges during the rehearsal process, and the existence of a revolutionary relationship between music and drama. Also, students define the fundamental structures of Baroque opera and the characteristics of Classical music.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 5 weeks |
| Offered by | Harvard University |
Introduction To Music Theory
The Music theory course helps prospective students develop their love for music. This program of study covers constructing major and minor scales, looking at intervals, determining the tonal center of a song, creating standard chord progression, and identifying blues and AABA song forms.
Students can list critical concepts in contemporary music after completing this academic program.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 6 weeks |
| Offered by | Berklee College of Music |
Innovation Generation: How to Be Creative
In this academic program, the instructor helps develop the student’s creativity using a unique method called PIG In MuD, after which they become open-minded and more productive.
As part of the syllabus, they’re going to clarify tricky situations that require new approaches and propose innovative strategies using various thinking tools. After completing the modules, they are competent enough to share their novel idea effectively.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 4 weeks |
| Offered by | University of Texas Health Science Center – Houston |
Fashion Style Icons and Design History
The educational program presents the history of clothing and theme presentations over the last five decades. Students compare fashion between now and then to determine what details they’ve reused from the past. Together with the instructors, they can sketch and bring their ideas to life using a creative journaling method.
| Provider | Kadenze |
| Timeline | 6 sessions |
| Offered by | Otis College of Art and Design |
Introduction to Graphic Illustration
This program of study discovers various potentials for illustrated visual expression by going through the integration of design principles.
Students have different projects to work on about the distribution, production, and translation of their visual concepts. Before taking this academic program, they must possess the necessary skills in Adobe and fundamental design theory.
| Provider | Kadenze |
| Timeline | 5 sessions |
| Offered by | Cornish College of the Arts |
Sound Design with Kontakt
Instructors conduct lectures about practical approaches to composing and producing music using Native Instruments Kontakt. Included in the syllabus are crucial technical and aesthetic elements of creating music.
Regular assignments consist of practical exercises that require specialized skills used in a musical context. Students can create four original compositions with Kontakt, by the end of this program of study.
| Provider | Kadenze |
| Timeline | 4 sessions |
| Offered by | Berklee College of Music |
Explore Filmmaking: from Script to Screen
Students get the opportunity to learn from award-winning filmmakers as they embark on film production specialisms. They have access to film resources used and inspired their film instructors to create their short films.
At the end of this educational program, they have a profound knowledge of the filmmaking process and can create their masterpiece.
| Provider | FutureLearn |
| Timeline | 6 weeks |
| Offered by | National Film and Television School |
Hollywood: History, Industry, Art
A curriculum that chronicles Hollywood’s evolution, from the birth of film to the surge of the internet. The teacher discusses how Hollywood became the international powerhouse of this generation.
They also study the impact of international audiences on Hollywood, the relationship between independent media and Hollywood, as well as what its future holds.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 4 weeks |
| Offered by | University of Pennsylvania |
Film Education: A User’s Guide
This film education course explores how European agencies championed film education and the rationale behind it. Experienced practitioners from all over Europe are the resource speakers in this program of study and talk about approaches to choosing, watching, and analyzing.
After its completion, they can recognize the different film education approaches between countries, age groups, and sectors.
| Provider | FutureLearn |
| Timeline | 4 weeks |
| Offered by | The British Film Institute |
Applications in Communication Acoustics
The program of study explores several system components required in acoustic communication. Instructors present practical applications such as room acoustics, methods for spatial sound capture and presentation, and perceptual audio coding.
After finishing the modules, learners can define the related subdomains and the methods for spatial sound capture and presentation.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 10 weeks |
| Offered by | RWTH Aachen University and Technische Universität München (Technical University of Munich) |
Law/Pre-Law
Justice
Justice is an intro to political and moral philosophy that delves into the critical analysis of classical and contemporary theories. As part of their assessment, learners’ perspectives on issues about loyalty in public and private life are put to the test.
At the end of the academic program, they can characterize social and criminal justice and their roles in today’s justice system and be more aware of the philosophy that causes modern issues.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 12 weeks |
| Offered by | Harvard University |
JuryX: Deliberations for Social Change
The course delves into a deliberative system where students discuss emotional issues via a series of online group activities.
Also, the class has an active involvement in the deliberative process and uses it as a framework to initiate dialogue with its community. When they finish the modules, they can implement web-based tools to discuss emotionally charged issues.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 7 weeks |
| Offered by | Harvard University |
International Law
The academic program broadens the student’s knowledge of international law–its creation, application, and sustainability in the modern world. It heavily relies on judgments and views of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
After finishing the lectures, they are capable of describing legal arguments within international news and reports and how to bring justice when binding rules are breached.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 12 weeks |
| Offered by | Harvard University |
Wiretaps to Big Data
The curriculum is an exploration of privacy issues existing all over the world. It discusses the relationship between law, networking technology, and sociology and their common ground. Students dig into the evolution of privacy rights in the 4th amendment of the U.S. Constitution and different types of cryptography utilized to secure wired and wireless networks.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 6 weeks |
| Offered by | Cornell University |
Contract Law: From Trust to Promise to Contract
This program of study is about an introduction to the range of issues from entering and enforcing contracts using current materials and case examples. Instructors present what a contract is and its significance, then move to its intent to build legal relations. Also included in their discussion are the typical pitfalls like fraud, one-sided promises, and frustration.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 8 weeks |
| Offered by | Harvard University |
Structuring Successful Business Deals
This educational program is about various scenarios that necessitate making a deal and giving access to useful data and materials to help build robust agreements. Learners identify the appropriate laws and contracts applied within the framework and the kinds of contract provisions that support successful deals.
After completing the modules, they can define the legal terms and concepts used in deals, making it easy to collaborate with legal counsel effectively.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 5 weeks |
| Offered by | Cornell University |
Intellectual Property Law and Policy: Part 1
This first part of the academic program presents the overview and theory of intellectual property law, a discussion on patent law, and how it works. Included in the coursework is identifying the policy implications of intellectual property. This law curriculum presents the common areas of commercial and artistic activity.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 6 weeks |
| Offered by | University of Pennsylvania |
Intellectual Property Law and Policy: Part 2
The second part of the I.P. law concentrates on the modern realities of copyright and trademark laws, then continues to talk about the alternatives to I.P. and its future.
Instructors also explain the seminal legal cases while contemplating the law’s policy implications. By completing the modules, they are capable of recognizing the theories behind copyright and trademark laws.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 7 weeks |
| Offered by | University of Pennsylvania |
Constitutional Interpretation
Instructors throw in infuriating questions about the U.S. constitutional interpretation and scrutinize its contending theories and approaches in this curriculum. They present primary alternative approaches to constitutional interpretation and talk about questions of judicial supremacy related to the presidency and congress.
After completing the lectures, they can describe the court’s role in establishing freedom of religion, speech, and property rights.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 7 weeks |
| Offered by | Princeton University |
Civil Liberties
This curriculum talks about the moral basis of contentious claims of civil rights by looking into the evidence and reasons from the Supreme Court’s opinion.
Some issues on slavery, marriage, and abortion will be under scrutiny as part of the lecture. After completing this program of study, students can recognize the foundations of civil rights and liberties in the U.S.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 7 weeks |
| Offered by | Princeton University |
Medicine/Pre-Med
Partnering with the Public and Patients in Medical Research
Learning how to build trusting relationships between researchers and patients, appropriate models that allow inclusivity and respect of all significant stakeholders in the medical research industry, and other essential elements in a patient research partnership, are the topics discussed by the instructors in this course.
Students who intend to engage in a research study can become versatile in developing relationships with patients by the end of this academic program.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 5 weeks |
| Offered by | Stanford University and Stanford Medicine |
Introduction to Biology: The Secret of Life
This program of study focuses on learning the secrets of life by exploring the basics of biochemistry, genetics, recombinant DNA, molecular biology genomics, and rational medicine.
Instructors explore the structure and function of DNA, RNA, and proteins, move on to the understanding of heredity, and discuss the molecular biological techniques and their impact on the world. After finishing the modules, they have a solid foundation in biology.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 16 weeks |
| Offered by | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Principles of Biochemistry
The concentration of this curriculum starts from simple building blocks and leads up to complex metabolism. Instructors present topics about protein function, manipulation of enzymes and pathways, and simple cells to complex tissues.
Students can acquire analytical and problem-solving skills useful in life sciences as they progress in this program of study.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 15 weeks |
| Offered by | Harvard University |
Prescription Drug Regulation, Cost, and Access: Current Controversies in Context
Providing a more in-depth cognizance of FDA regulations on pharmaceuticals and their recent controversies is the objective of this course.
Instructors talk about significant issues in regulatory approval and evidence-based use of medications. At the end of this educational program, learners can describe the position of the FDA in the pharmaceutical industry.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 8 weeks |
| Offered by | Harvard University |
Managing Addiction: A Framework for Successful Treatment
The educational program will dig into the “Recovery Pathway,” a straightforward approach for assisting recovering drug addicts. Students identify addiction and match an individual with drug or alcohol problems to treatments.
Also, there is a discussion about the biology of addiction and possible treatment options in the recovery period. Taking this course is a perfect stepping stone for healthcare students seeking effective methods for treating addiction.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 5 weeks |
| Offered by | University of Adelaide |
Nutrition and Cancer
Teaching about the broad range of dietary exposures and lifestyle aspects related to cancer is the main objective of this curriculum.
Holding knowledge about nutrition is imperative, especially for healthcare students and workers, since they get many questions from cancer patients. After completing the modules, students gain a comprehensive scientific basis for a better understanding of nutrition and cancer.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 5 weeks |
| Offered by | Wageningen University |
Anatomy: Know Your Abdomen
This course acts as a primer to undergraduate study and helps students choose which subject to take at university. Instructors go through the positions of organs in the abdomen and define their anatomical terminology; they begin at the front abdomen, all the way to the composition of the gastrointestinal tract.
| Provider | FutureLearn |
| Timeline | 2 weeks |
| Offered by | University of Leeds |
Healthcare Finance
In this curriculum, students can have better cognizance of the role of finance in the healthcare sector, focusing on the use of financing approaches to initiate drug discovery, clinical development, and more access to advanced therapies. After completing the lectures, they have enough competency to influence the healthcare sector.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 20 weeks |
| Offered by | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Healthcare/Nursing
Pediatric HIV Nursing
The course presents the current clinical guidelines for providing clinical care to kids with HIV from the WHO. The instructor from the leading international HIV care and treatment organization serves as a resource speaker and shares their hands-on experiences in pediatric HIV care and treatment.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 8 weeks |
| Offered by | Columbia University |
Understanding Autism
A more in-depth cognizance of autism, which includes diagnosis, autistic spectrum, and living with autism, is the concentration of this course. Postgraduates and professionals may find this CPD-certified program with topics about social communication skills, strengths, and difficulties of people in the autism circle.
| Provider | FutureLearn |
| Timeline | 4 weeks |
| Offered by | University of Kent |
End of Life Care: Challenges and Innovation
The course focuses on the care given to dying patients, various social practices, and beliefs about death and its preparations and timing. Ideas about palliative care come in different contexts. Instructors discuss every aspect of end-of-life care and the new approaches from a humanities and social science perspective.
| Provider | FutureLearn |
| Timeline | 3 weeks |
| Offered by | University of Glasgow |
Essential Competencies for Nurse Preceptors
This program of study concentrates on the preceptor-preceptee relationship in an academic, clinical learning experience and is applicable in the nursing education pathway.
Its modules are useful to registered nurses, who act as preceptors, giving compelling learning experiences to students learning how to provide quality patient care.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 7 weeks |
| Offered by | University of Maryland, Baltimore, and University System of Maryland |
What is a Mind?
The curriculum is about the scientific and philosophical concepts for studying the brain. It aims to fill in the gaps between traditionally antagonistic approaches to appreciating the mind.
Learners explore the four aspects of the mind–agency, consciousness, intentionality, and subjectivity. These elements trigger fundamental questions about having a mind, which they try to answer throughout the academic program.
| Provider | FutureLearn |
| Timeline | 6 weeks |
| Offered by | University of Cape Town |
Medicine and the Arts: Humanizing Healthcare
With this curriculum, students delve into the field of medical humanities and take a closer look at the common ground of the arts, healthcare, and humanities.
Throughout the coursework, experts from different fields pose analytical questions about dealing with healing, health and being human. Students will learn to recognize interdisciplinary perspectives in health and humanities at the end of this course.
| Provider | FutureLearn |
| Timeline | 6 weeks |
| Offered by | University of Cape Town |
An Introduction to Global Health
An interdisciplinary perspective on challenges and solutions to global health issues is the primary topic of this educational program.
It provides an intro to Global Health, which includes analyzing the variation in health, understanding the causes of variation, and presenting a public health perspective of the worldwide burden of diseases.
When they complete the modules, learners can explain how stakeholders approach significant global health challenges.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 6 weeks |
| Offered by | Karolinska Institutet |
Representations of HIV/AIDS
The class scrutinizes HIV/AIDS and its representation in different genres through the scientist’s and literary critic’s perspectives. Students participate in the conversation regarding the portrayal of HIV/AIDS in popular culture, journalism, and other groups.
After completing this program of study, learners can explain the development of HIV/AIDS and the responses made by various groups.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 4 weeks |
| Offered by | Davidson College |
Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine
Lifestyle Medicine teaches undergraduates the importance of the coach approach when giving patients advice regarding behavior change. Lifestyle medicine is all about the science and application of healthy behavior to prevent and treat lifestyle-caused illnesses.
After course completion, learners can sort the lifestyle behaviors that cause chronic diseases and identify tools to improve a healthy lifestyle.
| Provider | edX |
| Timeline | 8 weeks |
| Offered by | Doane University |
Stanford Introduction to Food and Health
Diet-related factors primarily cause obesity and type 2 diabetes. Innovative strategies for promoting healthful eating are urgently needed to address these public health crises.
In addition to cultural shifts away from preparing food at home, consuming heavily processed foods has contributed to high rates of preventable, chronic diseases.
This course equips learners with competency for optimizing their eating habits. Instead of discussing nutrients in a reductionist manner, this course will discuss real food and its environment. As a result, they become adept at identifying foods that are beneficial to their health and those that are harmful.
As part of our efforts to live longer, healthier lives, we will also present a compelling rationale for going back to simple home cooking.
| Provider | Coursera |
| Timeline | 4 weeks |
| Offered by | Stanford University |
Growth of Online Learning
A lot of people have been taking classes online in recent years. And, this trend is still ongoing and has even presented a promising future, as many experts believe it is capable of replacing conventional learning methods. Higher education online is not restricted to a particular type of student, contrary to a common misconception.
Nearly every field of study uses distance education, from history to physics to law. As distance education has grown rapidly, universities and colleges now place greater emphasis on its curriculum and development.
The online learning environment and community are tailored to the needs and characteristics of distance education students.
Online Education is for All Age Groups
There is a misconception that distance education is specifically designed for students who are unable to participate in traditional classes. There can be a variety of reasons for this, including the change in the state of life, work responsibilities, and other similar factors. The latest data indicates, however, that distance learning is very diverse.
Online programs or online courses are currently popular with students of all ages. All ages of students enjoy online learning because it is convenient, paces well, and is flexible.
Vedamo asserts that when their data is further crunched, the picture shifts, suggesting that older students are more likely to enroll in distance learning programs than younger students:
- Among students ages 15-23, 4.5% took only online courses, and 3.2% earned an entirely distance-education degree.
- Students aged 24-30 were enrolled in 10.4% of online courses, while 8.4% earned their degrees solely through online courses.
- 15.9% of college students over age 30 take online college courses, and 13% earn their degrees online.
Online Learners Earn Slightly-Better Grades than On-Campus Learners
Many might be surprised to learn that students who complete online courses perform a bit better than those who receive traditional education. “Online learning conditions appear to yield modestly better results than face-to-face instruction,” according to a recent study by the Department of Education. Additional
However, there have been studies also stating that students enrolled in online studies are more likely to drop out from their programs compared to those who are studying physically on campus.
Perhaps the key here is to have both motivation and discipline when you’re learning online; otherwise, you won’t be able to achieve your full potential.
Final Thoughts
Gone are the days when only males had access to education and earned degrees for higher education. In the current era, education is now more within reach for learners everywhere in the world for all ages, genders, and races.
This article holds one concrete proof of this fact. As long as you have the time, motivation, and perseverance, you can attain your educational goals with no financial investment at all.
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