Free Online Courses
From Top Colleges
Online courses can propel your career to new heights. An online course can increase your skills, making you more likely to land high-paying jobs. Many top-tier colleges offering free online courses throughout the United States include Harvard and MIT.
This article will take you through the best free online college courses. We’ll cover different course topics and material and how online learning can uplift your career prospects. If you are considering a career switch or simply want to improve your skills, this article is for you.
Why Enroll in a Free Course From a Top University?
You should enroll because courses from top universities can make your resume stand out. The name of a top-tier university on your resume can secure the attention of an employer. Completion of a free online course demonstrates commitment, motivation, and passion.
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Furthermore, a course allows you to gain confidence in a field. Online courses are laser-focused and provide a learning experience in very specific topics. If you start a job at a company after having completed a course from a top university, you are sure to outshine your colleagues.
Getting a Certificate from a Top College
Many colleges across the US offer free online certificate courses. Online bachelor’s degrees and courses have become more popular due to COVID-19. If you want to list completed courses on your resume, you should obtain a certificate for each of them.
Some colleges offer certificates of completion upon course completion. Some colleges ask for a fee in exchange for a certificate. It is always worth considering getting a certificate if possible. Employers and recruitment agencies often require proof of educational credentials.
Best Free Online Courses From Top Colleges
In this article, we’ve gathered five universities that offer fantastic courses. Read below to learn more about the top free online courses from some of the best universities in the country.
Harvard University
Harvard University needs no introduction as it is arguably the top school in the United States. Harvard has teamed up with edX to offer free courses on numerous topics. Most courses are free to audit, but require a fee to obtain a certificate at the end. edX is one of the biggest massive open online course providers (MOOCs) available today.
CS50’s Introduction to Game Development
Duration: 12 weeks
Platform: edX
This course provides a robust curriculum for programming enthusiasts. The course is designed to be suited for beginners. Modules include 2D and 3D graphics, Lua, C#, game design, and game development. It is a great choice if you want to become a video game designer.
It is recommended that you know a programming language before enrollment. The program is self-paced and can be completed at your own pace and in your own time. Throughout the course, you will analyze the structure of popular games.
CS50’s Web Programming with Python and JavaScript
Duration: 12 weeks
Platform: edX
This is another popular programming course offered by Harvard University. The course is designed to help beginners learn Python and JavaScript. Throughout this 12 week course, you will cover topics such as HTML, CSS, Git, Python, Django, SQL, and JavaScript.
This is a well-rounded course that covers the foundations, as well as advanced programming modules. The course content is accessible for free. If you would like a certificate, you must pay a one-time fee of $199.
CS50 for Lawyers
Duration: 10 weeks
Platform: edX
This is an introductory course that is designed for computer programmers with a keen interest in law. This course is all about exploring the intersection between technology and legal structures. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, lawyers earn an average salary of $126,930, and you can earn even more with added skills.
Modules include computational thinking, programming languages, algorithms, data structures, and cryptography. This is an ideal course if you already have some knowledge of computer science but want to branch out into new realms. You can audit the course for free. If you would like a certificate, you will have to pay a fee of $199.
Stanford University
Stanford University has a huge catalog of online courses on a wide range of topics. The university offers courses in arts, humanities, engineering, and business management. The college uses its own online platform to teach most of these courses, which makes taking them a unique experience.
Introduction to the Internet of Things
Duration: 1 week
Platform: Stanford Online
This short online course will take you through the building blocks of the Internet of Things. The curriculum has been devised and crafted by five Stanford faculty staff. The course comprises five modules in total. These include cool applications, sensors, embedded systems, networking, and circuits.
At the end of the course, you will be expected to complete a short evaluation. Stanford University offers a graduate certificate in this subject, but it is not free. Completing this course can act as a stepping stone into the certificate program.
Introduction to Probability Management
Duration: 1 week
Platform: Stanford Online and edX
This course has been designed by the Stanford School of Engineering. The curriculum is designed to help students understand how Stochastic Information Packets (SIP) works. This is a great course if you would like to get into data analysis or machine learning.
You will learn about array mechanisms and interactive simulations. The curriculum covers arrays in many different environments such as Python, R, and other programming languages.
Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers
Duration: 9 weeks
Platform: Stanford Online and edX
This is a challenging course geared at students with a strong background in engineering or science. The course content level is akin to that of a third-year at college. Modules include an introduction to quantum mechanics, Schroedinger’s wave equation, the hydrogen atom, and more.
The course is asynchronous, which means you can take it at your own pace. Lessons and course content is provided in video and text format. You will be expected to take and pass a final evaluation at the end of the course.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT is a very competitive school to get into. The college has created a publicly accessible collection of course material available online for free. The platform is called MIT Open Courseware, and it offers courses in many subjects and disciplines. If you want to take an online course in a tech subject, MIT is the place to go.
Introduction to Machine Learning
Duration: 13 weeks
Platform: MIT Open Learning Library
This is an online machine learning course. Throughout the 13 weeks, you will cover topics such as principles, algorithms, modeling, and prediction. The course includes an amalgamation of video content, lab exercises, and text material.
It is advised to have a background in computer programming before enrolling in this course. Python is the principal tool used throughout this course. MIT does not provide certification or a certificate of completion for this course.
Mathematics for Computer Science
Duration: 13 weeks
Platform: MIT Open Learning Library
This exciting course has been created by two MIT staff faculties. The mathematics for computer science course is designed to help you understand the correlation between discrete math and computer science.
The curriculum is divided into three sections. These include the fundamental concepts of mathematics, discrete structures, and probability theory. There are no prerequisites for this course, although a background in math or engineering is advised.
Nuclear Energy: Science, Systems, and Society
Duration: 11 weeks
Platform: edX
This course has been archived from the Open Learning Library, but the course material is now available on the edX platform. This course teaches the importance of nuclear energy. Throughout this course, you will be challenged to think about nuclear energy in a variety of contexts such as climate change and quantum science.
The curriculum comprises four different modules. These include the basics of ionizing radiation, commercial electric power, the fundamentals of nuclear fusion, and quantum science and engineering. According to PayScale, people with nuclear energy skills earn $94,287 per year.
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a very renowned and reputable institution. Completing a course offered by this college will ramp up your professional credentials. The university has partnered with Coursera to provide free and accessible courses on a variety of topics.
Applied Data Science with Python Specialization
Duration: 5 months
Platform: Coursera
This is an ideal course if you have a background in computer science. The applied data science with Python specialization is skills-based. It is highly recommended that applicants have pre-existing Python knowledge. This course is designed to help you master the programming language in the context of data analysis.
Modules include applied plotting, machine learning in Python, charting, and data representation. You can study at your own pace, and the platform provides a certificate of completion. Certificates are a fantastic way to demonstrate your credentials and technical capabilities.
PostgreSQL for Everybody Specialization
Duration: 4 months
Platform: Coursera
This course is designed to help you master the PostgreSQL database. The curriculum is divided into four topics. These include database design and basic SQL, intermediate PostgreSQL, JSON, natural language processing, and database architecture.
The course allows you to study at your own pace. Upon course completion, you will receive a shareable certificate. The course focuses on JSON, natural language processing, and databases.
Web Applications for Everybody Specialization
Duration: 6 months
Platform: Coursera
This intermediate-level course will bring you up to speed with the latest web design technologies. To enroll in this course, you must have prior knowledge of HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. The curriculum will help you develop skills in new technologies. These include PHP, SQL, jQuery, and JSON.
The course is structured into four separate modules. You will learn SQL, database applications in PHP, web applications in PHP, and the foundations of jQuery. You will obtain a shareable certificate when you complete this course. According to PayScale, people who make web applications earn an average salary of $72,202 per year.
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is an Ivy-league college located in Philadelphia. Completing an online course offered by the college is a fantastic way to get the University of Pennsylvania on your resume. The college has collaborated with Coursera to offer several courses.
Robotics Specialization
Duration: 7 months
Platform: Coursera
This beginner’s course is a fantastic way to get the first dip into the world of robotics. The course expects students to devote about five hours of study per week. You can easily complete this course part-time while working or studying for a degree.
The curriculum covers aerial robotics, computational motion planning, robotics mobility, and perception. At the end of the course, you will be expected to know how to program a robot to execute simple functions. The course also offers a certificate of completion that you can include on your resume.
Introduction to Programming with Python and Java Specialization
Duration: 4 months
Platform: Coursera
This beginner course is designed to help you ease into the world of Java and Python. There are no prerequisites to enroll, although a background in math or computer science is advised.
The curriculum is divided into four modules. These include an introduction to Python, data analysis using Python, an introduction to object-oriented programming, and data structures in Java. If you would like to pursue a career in coding or programming, this course could be a great first step.
Business Analytics Specialization
Duration: 6 months
Platform: Coursera
This beginner-level course is designed to help you learn how to use data analysis in a business context. You will cover the foundations of marketing and data analysis. The curriculum is divided into four modules. These include customer analytics, operations analytics, people analytics, and accounting analytics.
Throughout this course, you will take on hands-on projects, follow pre-recorded lectures, and earn a certificate of completion upon completion. If you want to become a business intelligence analyst, this course is a great choice.
The Bottomline
There are many universities across the US that offer interesting free courses. Completing a course offered by a renowned university can be helpful in two ways. First, you can gain and develop crucial skills that can help you in your career.
Second, completing a free online course demonstrates motivation and enthusiasm. Listing courses on your resume can impress potential employers. If you would like to change careers or have just completed high school, a free online college course can help you kickstart your next professional venture.
