Exploring free online
courses with certificates of completion can open up a whole new world of
educational and career opportunities. After all, expanding your skills and
broadening your knowledge base will always serve you well. You can punch up
your resume to make yourself more attractive to employers or develop new skills
that will help you be more effective in your job; if you don't have to spend
any money doing it, there's not much of a downside.
MOOCs (massive open
online courses) are college-level courses that are published online and are
accessible to anyone in the world for free; many come with a certificate of
completion that you can put on your resume or share on social media. MOOCs
offer a unique opportunity to learn from industry experts without spending a
cent. And they are a growing trend in online education: In 2016, 58 million
people around the world signed up for at least one MOOC, up from 35 million in
2015.1
However, the big
three English-language MOOC providers (Coursera, Udacity, and edX) have moved
to a model of offering the actual courses for free, but charging a fee
(generally ranging from $30 to $100) if you want to receive a certificate of
completion. In some cases, you have to pay the fee in order to complete exams
or access the full course materials.
But there are still
plenty of online courses available that come with a certificate of completion
and don't cost you a dime. We've compiled a list of examples below, along with
some tips on how to make the most of free online training and how free online
certifications can boost your career prospects.
5 companies that
offer free online courses with certificates of completion
Online courses that
you can take at no cost and earn a certificate of completion in:
- Business and management
- Computer science
- Communication
- Science
- Education
- Social sciences
- Art and music
How free
certifications can help your career
3 Ways to Get the
Most Value Out of Free Training
Getting free
certifications online can enhance your productivity and make you a more
valuable employee, but just because they're free doesn't mean they don't
require any effort. Here are a few tips on how to maximize the benefits of free
online training:
1. Choose wisely
Do some research to
make sure you actually want to learn whatever the course is teaching. Dropping
out of a free course is easy (and many do: only about four percent of people
who sign up for MOOCs actually complete them2), but it can negatively affect
your motivation to learn. Find a course that suits you on a topic you want to
know more about. Some of the most useful courses offer project-based work that
will give you something concrete (besides your certificate) that you can show
an employer to demonstrate your competence.
2. Pace yourself
Boost your chances of
success by only taking one course at a time. You don't want to exhaust your
mental resources. You need to be realistic about what you can fit into your lifestyle:
A self-paced course might be a better fit than one with a set schedule, for
instance. Make sure to plan out when you can do the work—maybe you could watch
videos during your morning bus ride or read course materials just after dinner.
Watch that you don't overschedule yourself.
3. Commit to the
process
It takes serious
mental discipline to keep going with a course even when your interest wanes or
your lifestyle gets hectic. If you find your motivation sagging, try to refocus
on what skills you hope to acquire and why you wanted to take the course in the
first place. Practicing good time-management skills can go a long way toward
reducing your stress and keeping your enthusiasm level high.
5 Companies That
Offer Free Online Courses With Certificates of Completion
It's easy to find
companies that provide free online courses; it's a bit trickier to find those
that will also provide a free certificate of completion. Here are some that fit
that description:
Saylor Academy—Saylor
is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. that offers more than 70
free self-paced online courses in 17 different areas. You earn a free
certificate of completion if you pass a course's final exam with a grade of at
least 70 percent.
Open2Study—Based in
Australia, Open2Study offers nearly 50 courses in a wide range of areas; each
course runs over a period of four weeks. If your average score for a course is
at least 60 percent, you get a free certificate of completion.
Aquent
Gymnasium—Aquent focuses on courses for digital, creative, and communications
professionals. It offers nine free online courses on topics like web design and
content development. If you score at least 85 percent on the final exam, you get
a free certificate of excellence.
Oxford Home Study
College—UK-based Oxford Home Study College offers 15 free online courses that
come with certificates of completion. Courses are mainly focused on business
management, though things like fashion design and public relations are also
available.
Stanford Online—This
site hosts online courses taught by Stanford faculty. Some (but not all) are
free and offer a Statement of Accomplishment to those who meet certain
criteria, though those criteria vary from course to course.
Free Online Courses
in Business and Management
Business topics are a
popular focus for online courses. You can learn how to run a business, manage
employees and processes, and design marketing campaigns, all without spending a
dime. Here are some examples of free online courses with certificates of
completion in business and management:
1. Supply Chain
Management
Learn how to manage
the logistics of getting a product from manufacturers to delivery services to
stores and ultimately to consumers. You'll focus on the mechanics of a working
supply chain and the process of sourcing operations. This course takes 80 hours
to complete, can be started at any time, and can be done from anywhere in the
world at your own pace.
Offered by: Oxford
Home Study College
2. Event Management
Weddings, festivals,
and corporate parties all rely on the expertise of an event manager to handle
the details and make sure things go off without a hitch. This free course
teaches the fundamentals of event creation along with strategies for effective
event marketing. The course is designed to be 80 hours long, and no prior
experience is required.
Offered by: Oxford
Home Study College
3. Entrepreneurship
and Family Business
Explore the key
elements that are essential to the success of an entrepreneur. Topics include
ethics, leadership characteristics, funding strategies, business plans, and
managing both family and non-family employees. This course requires two to four
hours of study (which includes watching videos and taking assessments) per week
for four weeks.
Offered by:
Open2Study
4. Sports and
Recreation Management
Discover the
different roles within the sports and recreation industry, develop leadership
skills, and learn how to plan and deliver a sport, fitness, or recreation
session focused on your clients' needs. This course runs for four weeks and
includes about three hours of videos; you should expect to spend anywhere from
two to four hours a week reviewing course material.
Offered by:
Open2Study
5. Business Law and
Ethics
Explore the laws and
ethical standards that businesses must abide by. This comprehensive course
takes about 133 hours to complete and covers topics like dispute resolution,
torts, contracts, property law, and business ethics. Through it, you'll develop
a solid understanding of the legal framework that protects both consumers and
businesses.
Offered by: Saylor
Academy
6. Principles of
Marketing
Get a detailed
introduction to the art and science of selling a product. This course will
teach you how to position a product, conduct marketing research, consider the
impact of competition, and make good promotional decisions. You'll also learn
how to launch a marketing campaign. The entire course takes about 95 hours to
complete.
Offered by: Saylor
Academy
Free Online Courses
in Computer Science
Free online courses
are available on a wide range of computer-related topics, from web design and
cyber security to computer architecture and video game development. The
following are just a few examples of free online courses with certificates of
completion in computer science:
7. Introduction to
Computer Science
Learn the basic
concepts of computers and computing. A beginner class specifically designed for
students with no programming experience, this course provides an introduction
to software development, object-oriented programming, the fundamentals of Java,
user-defined methods, and arrays. Completing all course units requires about 95
hours.
Offered by: Saylor
Academy
8. Responsive Web Design
Learn what goes into
making content look great across different devices. Designed for front-end
developers as well as web designers with coding experience, this course covers
topics like designing with flexible grids, creating layouts that incorporate
typography and fluid media, and using CSS media queries. By the end of the
course, you will have built a responsive website from scratch.
Offered by: Aquent
Gymnasium
9. User Experience
for the Web
Get an overview of
the principles of user experience for the online world. Learn the importance of
knowing your users, discover how to make websites accessible, and explore
usability evaluation techniques like walkthroughs, usability testing, and
competitor analysis. This self-paced course can be started at any time.
Offered by:
Open2Study
10. JavaScript and
jQuery Survival Guide
This course uses
exercises and coding examples to teach students best practices for adding or
changing interactive elements on a website. You'll learn how the JavaScript
console fits into the front-end web development process and how it can be used
to debug problems. You'll need basic-to-intermediate experience with HTML and
CSS; knowing the basics of JavaScript will also come in handy.
Offered by: Aquent
Gymnasium
11. Computer Architecture
Study the complex
interactions between hardware and software. Lessons cover a number of important
features in computer architecture, including processor arithmetic, pipelining,
memory management, and storage, among others. Expect to spend 109 hours on
completing this course. You'll need to be a confident programmer with
experience in a high-level language such as C or C++.
Offered by: Saylor
Academy
12. Concepts in Game
Development
Learn about the
relationship between game design, balance, and player experience. This
four-week course looks at graphs and data structures that represent game worlds
and explores artificial intelligence techniques that can direct the behavior of
game characters. Some programming experience is helpful, but not required.
Offered by:
Open2Study
Free Online Courses
in Communication
Those who work with
the written or spoken word can easily train online. Online courses cover topics
like writing for the web and speaking in front of a crowd. Check out this list
of free online courses with certificates of completion in communication:
13. Writing for Web
and Mobile
Use data from tools
like Google Analytics and Google Keyword Planner to help you write compelling
content that your customers want to read. This course will show you how to craft
effective content for email messages, blog posts, and more. A Google Analytics
or Google Drive account is recommended, but not technically required.
Offered by: Aquent
Gymnasium
14. Public Speaking
Examine the elements
and factors that go into an effective speech. This course looks at audience
analysis techniques, the importance of listening, and how you can train
yourself to speak confidently. You will identify effective speaking techniques
and learn how to construct informative and persuasive speeches. The 15 units
should take about 92 hours in total to complete.
Offered by: Saylor
Academy
15. Public Relations
Do you understand the
differences between public relations, advertising, and publicity? This course
will teach you about the role of public opinion in business success and the
importance of reputation management. You'll learn about various PR tools and
get a broad overview of public relations in general. No experience is required,
and you can start at any time.
Offered by: Oxford
Home Study College
Free Online Courses
in Science
A huge range of free
online courses are available to those with a thirst for scientific knowledge.
Want to learn about life in the ocean depths? Explore the workings of the human
body? Discover how robots move? No problem. Here are some examples of free
online courses with certificates of completion in science:
16. Marine and
Antarctic Science
If you're fascinated
by life under the sea, check out this course. You will learn about key features
of our oceans, explore humans' impact on marine systems, and discuss how marine
ecosystems can be monitored and managed. This four-week course is self-paced
and includes five hours of videos; plan to spend about two to four hours a week
on coursework.
Offered by:
Open2Study
17. Climate Change
Explore the impacts
of climate change. This course looks at how the changing climate is affecting
our species, ecosystems, coastlines, food supply, economy, and more. Find out
why the timing of solutions is critical, and learn what kind of impact
different emission reduction solutions have had. This course runs for four
weeks; expect to spend at least a couple hours a week reviewing course
materials.
Offered by:
Open2Study
18. Understanding
Common Diseases
Learn how diseases
like high blood pressure, heartburn, diabetes, and the common cold affect the
human body. This course will explain the functioning of the major body systems,
including the cardiovascular system, the gastrointestinal tract, and the
respiratory tract. You will learn how disease affects body function and what
you can do to best manage your health.
Offered by:
Open2Study
19. Introduction to
Molecular and Cellular Biology
Get a detailed
introduction to the structure and function of biological macromolecules and
cellular components. This course will teach you about proteins, carbohydrates,
lipids, and nucleic acids; you will also learn about mitosis and meiosis,
genetics, and cellular metabolism. There are 10 units in this course;
completing them all takes about 80 hours in total.
Offered by: Saylor
Academy
20. Chemistry:
Building Blocks of the World
Discover how atoms go
together to make most of the materials we use every day. You will discover how
different matter is made, examine common chemical reactions, and delve deep
into the periodic table and its structure. This introductory course runs for
four weeks.
Offered by:
Open2Study
21. Introduction to
Electromagnetism
Explore waves and
oscillations in extended objects and learn about the laws that govern static
electricity and magnetism. This course also covers optics and gives a brief
overview of Einstein's theory of special relativity. The average student takes
about 97 hours to complete all units in this course. A basic understanding of
calculus and classic mechanics is required.
Offered by: Saylor
Academy
22. Agriculture and
the World We Live In
Examine the role of
agriculture in feeding the world. You will discover how climate, soils, and
fertilizers affect the way people farm and explore the arguments for and against
organic farming. This course will introduce you to the technologies that are
transforming agriculture and the sustainability issues that modern farmers
face. The four units of this course are spread over four weeks.
Offered by:
Open2Study
23. Mobile Robotics
Do you know how
robots make decisions? This course will teach you about the different ways that
robots move themselves around and how they follow logical sequential
instructions in order to function. You will learn how to design, implement, and
troubleshoot a robotic system, and even build your own mobile robot.
Offered by:
Open2Study
Free Online Courses
in Education
The education field
easily lends itself to online training. Whether you want to learn how to teach
toddlers or engage adults, you can expand your skills without spending a cent.
Check out these free online courses with certificates of completion in education:
24. Early Childhood
Education
Step into the world
of the under-5 set. Explore the stages of child development, the importance of
play in early learning, and how caregivers can support the unique needs of each
child. You will learn why taking risks is essential for a child's learning, and
how early childhood educators can offer positive forms of behavioral guidance.
This course runs for four weeks.
Offered by:
Open2Study
25. Education in a
Changing World
See how education has
changed over time as society redefines the knowledge, skills, and cultural
values it considers most important. This course looks at how cultural
understandings of the transition from childhood to adulthood have changed and
how education has been shaped by these understandings. You will also examine
how literacy is changing as a result of globalization and the information
revolution.
Offered by:
Open2Study
26. Teaching Adult
Learners
Develop teaching
skills and tactics that create a safe and accountable learning environment for
adult students. You will examine the role technology plays in the learning
environment and identify key components of effective instructional design. This
is a four-week course that requires anywhere from two to four hours of study
per week.
Offered by: Open2Study
Free Online Courses
in the Social Sciences
If your interests run
to areas like political science, psychology, or economics, you can broaden your
knowledge base through online courses that don't cost a thing. The following
are a few free online courses with certificates of completion in the social
sciences:
27. Introduction to
Western Political Thought
From Plato to
Rousseau, this course looks at the major texts and figures in the history of
political thought. Topics include power, justice, rights, law, and other issues
relating to political science. You will learn how different views of human
nature inform the design of government and the relationship between the citizen
and the state. This comprehensive course requires about 134 hours to complete.
Offered by: Saylor
Academy
28. Foundations of
Psychology
Study the biological
framework for human behavior and how psychologists understand and diagnose
mental health issues such as anxiety and mood disorders. Learn how people cope
with stress and how the body reacts when stress levels get too high. This
beginner course lays a foundation for further study in psychology.
Offered by:
Open2Study
29. Principles of
Microeconomics
Analyze the choices
and decisions individuals make to manage scarce resources after evaluating
resources, costs, and trade-offs. Learn about consumer and producer behavior,
the nature of supply and demand, and the different kinds of markets and how
they function. This course is made up of seven units that take approximately 83
hours to complete.
Offered by: Saylor
Academy
Free Online Courses
in Art and Music
If the creative arts
are your passion, you can probably find an online course that will pique your
interest without picking your pocket. Here is a sample of free online courses
with certificates of completion in art and music:
30. Art Appreciation
and Techniques
Designed for the
student with limited experience in the visual arts, this course looks at the
elements, media, and methods used in creative thought and processes. You will
explore different visual art forms and their cultural connections. By the end
of the course, you will be able to connect formal attributes of art with their
meaning and expression.
Offered by: Saylor
Academy
31. The Art of
Photography
Learn practical
skills to broaden your understanding of photography as a visual art. This
course will teach you how to use key features on your digital camera, how to
make more effective compositions, and how to understand the tools and functions
of image editing software. You will also explore the work of contemporary
photographic artists.
Offered by:
Open2Study
32. World Music
Discover music
traditions outside the normal day-to-day music heard on mass media. You will
learn to listen to and analyze the basic elements of rhythm, melody, harmony,
texture, and dynamics. Through this course, you will develop an appreciation of
different musical traditions and how they create cultural identity.
Offered by:
Open2Study
How Free
Certifications Can Help Your Career
Getting free
certifications online can confer real advantages: In a survey of people who had
completed MOOCs, 72 percent reported career benefits and 61 percent said they'd
received educational benefits as a result of taking their courses.2
Completing courses
and getting certifications shows an employer that you are motivated,
disciplined, and curious. It demonstrates that you are committed to lifelong
learning and professional development. These are all things that can set you
apart from other job applicants. Don't be afraid to list online courses on your
resume or LinkedIn profile; they are great indicators of your drive to learn
new skills and add value to a company.
Ultimately, what employers
are really interested in is what you can do—learning new things is great, but
it's what you do with your knowledge that matters. Some courses require you to
complete some sort of practical hands-on project, which can be very useful when
it comes to selling yourself to an employer. But as long as you can talk about
what you've learned and how your newfound skills are relevant to different
jobs, free online certifications can be a boon to your career development.
Reach Your Goals
Exploring free online
courses with certificates of completion can be worth your while if you're
looking to improve your resume or learn new skills. If you're looking for more
in-depth career training and more marketable credentials, then a vocational
school might make sense for you. Vocational schools offer job-focused training
that can prepare you for a wide range of different occupations.
More from the same series:
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you.