How to Find Free Online College Courses

by | Aug 2, 2012 | Education, Extra, Kelsey

By Kelsey Jones

studyingAfter my cousin, a biochemist with his doctorate, posted a link to a free nutrition class from Coursera,I knew I had to share this great resource. Coursera is an organization that works with top universities, like Stanford, the University of Michigan, and the University of Pennsylvania is teach real college classes online to anyone. For free. The majority, if not all, of the classes feature recorded lectures or videos that students watch each week. Some classes require reading and students take quizzes, finals, or midterms—just like a regular college course.

Here are some of the the classes currently open to sign up that might be of interest to internet marketers or others working in the digital industry.

Internet History, Technology, and Security

From the University of Michigan. This started last week, but you may be able to still sign up.

Networked Life

From the University of Pennsylvania. Covers how connected with are with our technology and each other via social media. Starts September 2012.

Social Network Analysis

From the University of Michigan: “This course will use social network analysis, both its theory and computational tools, to make sense of the social and information networks that have been fueled and rendered accessible by the internet.”

There are several other courses available in a variety of topics on the Course Explorer page. Many of the college course professors will provide students with a certificate of completion once they finish the course; which gives these classes real world benefit, especially if they are applicable to your industry.

Here are a list of other online organizations and resources offering free college courses (not all follow the same format at Coursera; many may just post lectures online for free):

Have you taken any free online courses? Do you feel like you got a lot from it? Let us know in the comments!

Kelsey Jones

Kelsey Jones

Founder/Chief Marketing Consultant at Six Stories
Kelsey Jones helps clients around the world grow their social media, content, and search marketing presence. She enjoys writing and consuming all kinds of content, both in digital and tattered paperback form.
Kelsey Jones
Kelsey Jones