The world as we all know is gradually becoming a global village and as such, the debate on which is better between face-to-face and online learning is fast becoming obsolete. As a form of online learning, courses are being offered by schools, institutions, organizations, and other corporations to people for a fee or free. Basically, taking an online course for free helps you to broaden your knowledge at no cost. However, some free online courses come with printable certificates and qualifications that can be used to enhance your CV or to apply for jobs in the field in either your home country or abroad. So in line with the above, this article will provide you with the necessary information you need for the best free online courses with certificates in the USA and the reasons why you should choose them. Here is a table of what to expect.
What Are Online Courses?
Online courses are revolutionizing formal education, and have opened a new genre of outreach on cultural and scientific topics. Basically, an online course does not require any face-to-face meetings in a physical location. An online course is a set of instructional experiences using the digital network for interaction, learning, and dialogue. Online courses are offered by different institutions. Some are offered by educational institutions, while others are produced by experts in their field. No matter who offers them, the most important thing for an online course is for it to be engaging and to deliver a clear outcome. Generally, online courses are delivered via a website and can be viewed on a mobile device, tablet, or web browser. This lets students and other participants conveniently access them anywhere and at any time. They can take on many different forms. However, at their most basic level, the thing they all share in common is that they teach knowledge or skills to the person taking them. These forms include educational videos, audio files, images, worksheets, or other documents. Most online courses also have discussion forums, community groups, or messaging options, enabling some way for students to communicate with each other and or the teacher. It is also important to note that online courses are offered for a fee, partly free(paid certification), or entirely free. Do you want to earn a degree online? Then check out these lists of online schools, from accredited to affordable, to best, and many more.
Free Online Courses
Free online are online courses that you pay little(for a certificate) or no cost. There are several types of free online courses such as MOOCs, free marketplace online courses, and so on. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are free online courses available for anyone to enroll in. Basically, MOOCs provide an affordable and flexible way to learn new skills, advance your career, and deliver quality educational experiences at scale. Currently, millions of people around the world use MOOCs to learn for a variety of reasons. This includes career development, changing careers, college preparations, supplemental learning, lifelong learning, corporate eLearning & training, and more. Also, MOOCs have dramatically changed the way the world learns. Ready to get started? Then, keep reading!
Why Choose To Study A Course Online? | Benefits Of Online Learning
Just like in distance education, taking an online course gives you the opportunity to learn at your own will and convenience. Here are more reasons why you should give studying online a try:
First, online learning provides its users with a variety of programs and courses to choose from. No matter your qualification, you can choose to enroll in any course. In addition, you can also earn every academic degree online, from a career certificate to a doctorate.Online courses provide you with time and space to go deep and master a new skill.Online education is a more affordable option than traditional schools. For instance, there are no commuting costs, and sometimes required course materials, such as textbooks, are available online at no cost.Also, they provide a comfortable learning environment. For example, you can decide to study in your pajamas since there are no physical class sessions. Online courses support career advancement. For instance, students can take online courses and even complete entire degrees while working, while in-between jobs; This helps improve career advancement.In addition, online learning creates room for convenience and flexibility. Online courses give you the opportunity to plan study time around the rest of your day, instead of the other way around. Generally, online students can study and work at their convenience.
Why Choose Free Online Courses With Certificates In the USA?
Basically, a free course gives you a chance to learn from industry experts without spending a dime. In the same vein, having proof of completing free online courses with certificates is an effective way to stand out. So, why choose to enroll in a free online course with a certificate in the USA? Here is one good reason, the United States of America is regarded as a world power, and any certification gotten from a verified US university or online learning platform is valued. Below are other benefits you get to enjoy when you choose to study any of the free online courses with certificates in the USA:
Unlike other online learning, you get to study these courses for free in the comfort of your home with a certificate to show.Also, in a situation where the certificates are paid for, you spend a lesser cost to obtain online certification than on-campus learning.Earning a certificate from an online course offered by a US school on completion can be a good reward to you if you are yet to travel to the USA.Online education from a US institution will expose you to New Learning Technologies.Furthermore, you can leverage your online certifications to improve your CV, as we
What Are The Requirements You Need To Enroll For A Free Online Course In The USA?
You do not need to break the bank to enroll in online courses – most especially the free ones. Most items you need can easily be owned in a home or an office or gotten at a low price. Below are the essentials any new online student should have:
A working computer or phone.The right operating system.Useful software.Web browsers.Reliable internet access.A few accessories.
For your gadgets ensure they do not give you problems. You need to pay attention to your processor, RAM, and memory to make sure your computer will be able to keep up with your education. For the operating systems, if you are a PC user, make sure you have the right Windows/OS X to take online courses. You will also need a good office suite and a web browser in order to take most online courses. Do well to download and install important software when necessary and also update your web browser for efficiency. Furthermore, because online education is completed, well, online, you’ll need to have constant access to the internet to keep up. Lastly, in terms of accessories, you may not necessarily need a headset, flash drive or webcam to get through your coursework, but sometimes a small investment in these gadgets can make a big difference in how easy or enjoyable it is to complete coursework and participate in online discussions.
How Long Does It Take To Complete A Free Online Course In The USA?
One of the benefits of online courses is that they can be completed within a short period of time, unlike traditional education. While some free online courses can take as short as a day or even some hours to complete, others can last as long as 6 to 9 months or even 12. Most free online courses in the USA that take months to complete may require some level of weekly time commitment from their participants. Let’s say 3- 4 hours, 2-6 hours as the case may be. The time range varies among the free online courses and the learning platforms that offer them. It is important to note that the online learning platform and course providers fix the average or estimated time of completion for each program. However, the pace of completion depends on the level of commitment of the online student or participant.
Which Platforms Are The Best For Free Online Courses In The USA?
There are several online platforms that offer online courses in the USA, both free and paid. However, for the benefit of this post and also authenticity, we will just elaborate on a few. Here is a list of online learning platforms that offer free online courses with a certificate in the USA:
edxUdemyCourseraUdacitySkillshareAlison
edX
Founded by Harvard and MIT, edX is the trusted platform for education and learning. edX is home to more than 20 million learners, the majority of top-ranked universities in the world, and industry-leading companies. As a global nonprofit, edX is transforming traditional education, removing the barriers of cost, location, as well as, access. Fulfilling the demand for people to learn on their own terms, edX is reimagining the possibilities of education and providing the highest-quality, stackable learning experiences including the groundbreaking MicroMasters® programs. In short, edX is where you go to learn. Official Website
Udemy
Udemy is a leading global marketplace for learning and instruction. By connecting students all over the world to the best instructors, Udemy is helping individuals reach their goals and pursue their dreams. The platform offers over 150,000 courses in several fields and skills. Udemy is currently one of the best online education and learning platform. Official Website
Coursera
Coursera is one of the top online learning websites. Every course on the Coursera platform is taught by top instructors from world-class universities and companies, so you can learn something new anytime, anywhere. Also, hundreds of free courses on Coursera give you access to on-demand video lectures, homework exercises, and community discussion forums. Official Website
Udacity
With a mission to power careers through tech education, Udacity is one of the best online learning platforms to pursue a free online course in the USA. They partner with leading technology companies to learn how technology is transforming industries and teach the critical tech skills that companies are looking for in their workforce. With a powerful and flexible digital education platform, even the busiest learners can prepare themselves to take on the most in-demand tech roles. In simple terms, Udacity is a place where lifelong learners come to learn the skills they need, land the jobs they want, to build the lives they deserve. Official Website
SkillShare
Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes for creative and curious people, on topics such as illustration, design, photography, video, freelancing, and more. On Skillshare, millions of members come together to find inspiration and take the next step in their creative journey. Get to enjoy this and more by enrolling via the link below. OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Alison
Just like other e-learning platforms, Alison is one of the online education websites that offer free courses. To be more precise, Alison offers over 1000 free online courses across nine distinct categories. The types of courses across the categories include Certificate Courses, Diploma Courses, and Learning Paths. Learn more about Alison below. OFFICIAL WEBSITE You may want to know what has kept some of these platforms at the top of the Elearning Market for so long. Check out this – Edx vs Udemy: What is the best e-learning platform?
Which Universities Offer Free Online Courses With Certificates In The USA?
Several universities in the USA in partnership with various online educational platforms offer free courses with certificates to international participants. In order not to bore you, we will just talk about a few of them Here is a list of some universities in the United States of America that offer free online courses with certificates:
Harvard UniversityMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyUniversity of California, BerkeleyThe University of Texas SystemUniversity of MinnesotaUniversity of PennsylvaniaCalifornia Institute of ArtsStandford UniversityBoston UniversityGeorgetown University
Harvard University
Founded in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. It is located in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts has an enrollment of over 20,000 degree candidates, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Harvard University is basically devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally. Therefore, Harvard faculty are engaged with teaching and research to push the boundaries of human knowledge. Currently, the University has twelve degree-granting Schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. Also, in partnership with various online education platforms like edX, Harvard University through its HarvardX offers various free online courses to international participants. You may like to read more on the Free Online Courses at Harvard University for All Students
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Currently ranked as the best university in the world, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a coeducational, privately endowed research university founded in 1861. MIT is dedicated to advancing knowledge and educating students in science, technology, and other areas of scholarship that will best serve the nation and the world in the 21st century. Through its MITx, the Institute furthers its commitment to improving education worldwide.
University of California, Berkeley
Founded in 1868, the University of California, Berkeley is a public research university in Berkeley, California. It is the flagship campus and the oldest of the ten campuses of the University of California. Berkeley has been ranked by numerous major education publications as among the top 10 universities in the world. In September 2012, to mark UC Berkeley’s commitment to innovation in teaching and learning, the Berkeley Resource Center for Online Education (BRCOE) was formed. The Center is a resource hub and an operational catalyst for all internal campus-wide and external resources to advise, coordinate, and facilitate the University’s online education initiatives, ranging from credit and non-credit courses, to online degree programs and MOOC projects, as well as, the MOOCLab initiative. The BRCOE’s new MOOCLab is a three-year research initiative to fund and develop Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) as vehicles for pedagogical research in online education.
The University of Texas System
The University of Texas System is one of the largest public university systems in the United States, with nine academic universities and six health science centers. For more than 130 years, UT System has been educating students, providing care for patients, conducting groundbreaking research, and serving the needs of Texans and the USA. In fact, the U. T. System confers more than one-third of the state’s undergraduate degrees and educates nearly three-fourths of the state’s health care professionals annually. Therefore, in order to reach out to a larger number of international participants, the University of Texas System in partnership with online education platforms through the various UTSystemX offers free online courses and MOOCs in a variety of subjects.
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota (UMN) is among the largest public research universities in the USA, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations. Therefore, in order to reach out to other global participants, UMN in partnership with online platforms like Coursera offers online courses both for free and for a fee.
University of Pennsylvania
Founded in 1740, the University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn) is a private university, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. A member of the Ivy League, Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and considers itself to be the first university in the United States with both undergraduate and graduate studies.
15 Free Online Courses With Certificates In The USA
There are several free online courses with certificates offered by universities and organizations in the USA on different online platforms. However, for the purpose of this article, emphasis will be led on 15 of them. So, here is a list of free online courses with certificates in the USA you can enroll for:
The Foundations of Happiness at WorkWeb DevelopmentCS50’s Introduction to Computer ScienceMobile App DevelopmentHuman Resources Management CapstoneIntroduction To Game DevelopmentEntrepreneurship in Emerging EconomiesBecoming an EntrepreneurProject Management Principles and Practices SpecializationIntroduction to Corporate FinanceFundamentals of Graphic DesignVisual Elements of User Interface DesignFull guide to becoming a Google Slides masterSearch Engine Optimization (SEO)Google Analytics for Beginners
The Foundations of Happiness at Work
If you want to learn why happiness at work matters and how to increase it within yourself and across your organization, then apply for this free online course on the foundations of happiness at work. Basically, this course explains what happiness at work looks like, why it matters, and how to cultivate it. It begins by defining happiness and making the case that happiness at work improves the performance of individual employees and organizations as a whole, increasing innovation, productivity, engagement, retention, and also, the quality of their work. Then, it explores the key factors that empirical research has linked to workplace happiness, zeroing in on practices such as gratitude, developing a strong sense of purpose, and forming authentic, cooperative connections with others. Furthermore, this online course will also highlight common barriers to workplace happiness, both at the individual and cultural levels. Finally, the course presents a practical framework for workplace happiness and explores accessible techniques for: In summary, here is what you will learn:
The personal, social, and professional advantages of happiness at workHow to identify barriers and pitfalls to achieving happiness at workA series of research-backed, practical ways to boost happiness at workStrategies for evaluating levels of happiness within an organization
In addition, this course requires a 2 to 3 hours commitment from you for 4 weeks to complete. COURSE LINK
Web Development
Web developers are one of the most sought-after people in the IT world. You can seize this opportunity by enrolling in the free online web development course with a printable certificate offered by Harvard University on the edX platform for international participants.
Basically, this online web development course covers the following topics: database design, scalability, security, and user experience. The course will teach you all you need to know about codes (Python and JavaScript) and website designing.
Also, you will learn about Git, Flask, SQL, APIs, HTML, CSS, and many more. Furthermore, at the program, you can print your certificate in hardcopy after it has been presented to you.
This free online class is scheduled to run for 6-9 hours per week for 12 weeks.
COURSE LINK
Introduction To Computer Science
This free online course is an introduction to the intellectual enterprises of computer science and the art of programming. It’s called CS50x, an online version of Harvard University’s largest on-campus course, CS50. It is open to majors and non-majors alike, with or without prior programming experience. Topics here include abstraction, algorithms, data structures, encapsulation, resource management, security, software engineering, and web development. Languages basically include C, Python, SQL, and JavaScript plus CSS and HTML. On the other hand, problem sets are inspired by real-world domains of biology, cryptography, finance, forensics, and gaming. The CS50x free online course is scheduled to run for 6-18 hours per week for 12 weeks. It is also important to note that CS50x is a self-paced course that is, you may take it on your own schedule. COURSE LINK
Mobile App Development
In the free online mobile app development course, you will learn about mobile app development with React Native, a popular framework maintained by Facebook that enables cross-platform native apps using JavaScript without Java or Swift. Basically, this course picks up where CS50 leaves off, transitioning from web development to mobile app development with React Native. The course introduces you to modern JavaScript (including ES6 and ES7) as well as to JSX, a JavaScript extension. Also, through hands-on projects, you’ll gain experience with React and its paradigms, app architecture, and user interfaces. Finally, the course culminates in a final project for which you’ll implement an app entirely of your own design. This free online class is offered on the edX platform and a printable certificate is obtained at the end. It is scheduled to run for 6-9 hours per week for 13 weeks. COURSE LINK
Introduction To Game Development
This is one of the free online courses with a printable certificate in the USA offered on the edX platform. The course teaches the basic concept of game design and programming and prepares participants to take up their own space on the internet on programming games. Here, you learn about the development of 2D and 3D interactive games in this hands-on course, as you explore the design of childhood games such as:
Super Mario Bros. PongFlappy BirdBreakoutMatch 3Legend of ZeldaAngry BirdsPokémon3D Helicopter GameDreadhallsPortal
In addition, through lectures and hands-on projects, the course explores principles of 2D and 3D graphics, animation, sound, and collision detection using frameworks like Unity and LÖVE 2D, as well as languages like Lua and C#. This free online course needs about 6 to 9 hours of weekly commitment for a period of 12 weeks and a certificate is issued at the end of the program. So, if you want a platform where you can learn how to develop android game programs for free, then you should apply for this. COURSE LINK
Human Resources Management Capstone
This is one of the free online courses in the USA offered by the University of Minnesota on the Coursera platform. The course would help you learn how to manage the human resource of any company and the certificate will improve your chances of landing a human resource job which is one of the most coveted jobs in some companies. It provides a robust introduction to the key principles, policies, and practices of human resource management, with a focus on understanding managerial choices and constraints, acquiring and onboarding talent, managing employee performance, and rewarding employees. Basically, the capstone project provides learners with the opportunity to apply these key principles and practices to a real-world workplace (including a learner’s own workplace if desired). Specifically, it will involve identifying the key human resources challenges for a workplace–including the most pressing motivational, selection, performance evaluation, and reward issues. Note that the Human Resources Management Capstone free online course takes about 3-4 hours/week for 7 weeks to complete. Also, there will be an optional paid printable certificate available at the end of the program. COURSE LINK
Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies
This is a free online business and management course, taught by Harvard Business School professor Tarun Khanna. It takes an inter-disciplinary approach to understanding and solving complex social problems. You will explore how entrepreneurship and innovation tackle complex social problems in emerging economies. You will learn about prior attempts to address these problems, identify points of opportunity for smart entrepreneurial efforts, and propose and develop your own creative solutions. Basically, the focus of this course is on individual agency—what can you do to address a defined problem? Below is a breakdown of what you will learn:
An awareness of the opportunities for entrepreneurship in fast-growing emerging marketsAn understanding of a conceptual framework for evaluating such opportunitiesAn appreciation of the types of problems that lend themselves to entrepreneurial solutions
So, if you read a business course at the university, this will definitely be a plus to your CV. It is also one of the free online courses in the USA that comes with a verified printable certificate. It requires a 3-5 hours weekly commitment for a period of 6 weeks. COURSE LINK
Becoming an Entrepreneur
This free online course will teach you the business skills and startup mindset needed to embark on your entrepreneurial path from the premier program for aspiring entrepreneurs, MIT Launch. So, if you are curious about entrepreneurship, but not sure where to start? Becoming an Entrepreneur is the course you need. Here, you will get to learn about the following:
Overcoming the top myths of entrepreneurship.Defining your goals as an entrepreneur and startup.Identifying business opportunities.Performing market research and choosing your target customer.Designing and testing your offering.Planning your business logistics, plus pitching and selling to customers.
Becoming an Entrepreneur is designed by edX in partnership with MIT to guide people of all ages and backgrounds through the process of founding a company. With enrollment in the hundreds of thousands, this course is as engaging and accessible as it is informative. COURSE LINK
Project Management Principles and Practices Specialization
The Project Management Principles and Practices Specialization is one of the free online courses in the USA by the University of California, Irvine on the Coursera platform. Over time, project management has been proven to be the most effective method of delivering products within cost, schedule, and resource constraints. This intensive and hands-on series of courses gives you the skills to ensure your projects are completed on time and on budget while giving the user the product they expect. You will also gain a strong working knowledge of the basics of project management and be able to immediately use that knowledge to effectively manage work projects. At the end of the course, you will be able to identify and manage the product scope, build a work breakdown structure, create a project plan, create the project budget, define and allocate resources, manage the project development, identify and manage risks, and understand the project procurement process. In addition, this course requires about 7 hours of weekly commitment from you for one month. COURSE LINK
Introduction to Corporate Finance
The Introduction to Corporate Finance is one of the free online courses with a certificate in the USA offered by the University of Pennsylvania on the Coursera platform. Basically, this course provides a brief introduction to the fundamentals of finance, emphasizing their application to a wide variety of real-world situations spanning personal finance, corporate decision-making, and financial intermediation. Key concepts and applications include the time value of money, risk-return tradeoff, cost of capital, interest rates, retirement savings, mortgage financing, auto leasing, capital budgeting, asset valuation, discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis, net present value, internal rate of return, hurdle rate, payback period. To complete this free online course you need a 3-5 hours weekly commitment for a period of 4 weeks. COURSE LINK
Fundamentals of Graphic Design
The course is offered online for free in the USA on the Coursera platform by the California Institute of the Arts. Generally, Graphic Design is all around us! Words and pictures—the building blocks of graphic design—are the elements that carry the majority of the content in both the digital world and the printed world. So, as graphic design becomes more visible and prevalent in our lives, graphic design as a practice becomes more important in our culture. Through visual examples, this course will teach you the fundamental principles of graphic design: image-making, typography, composition, working with color and shape and also, and foundational skills that are common in all areas of graphic design practice. The course will enhance your skills in Creativity, Graphics, Design Theory, and Color Theory. Also, to complete this free online course you need about 1-3 hours/week for 4 weeks and then, obtain your certificate from the institute. COURSE LINK
Visual Elements of User Interface Design
This is an extension of the Fundamentals of Graphic Design. It is one of the free online courses in the USA offered by the California Institute of Arts on the Coursera platform. This design-centric course examines the broad question of what an interface is and what role a designer plays in creating a user interface. Basically, learning how to design and articulate meaning using color, type, and imagery is essential to making interfaces function clearly and seamlessly. Through a series of lectures and visual exercises, you will focus on the many individual elements and components that make up the skillset of an interface designer. At the end of this course, you will be able to describe the key formal elements of clear, consistent, and intuitive UI design, and apply your learned skills to the design of a static screen-based interface. In addition, this free online course in the USA would take about 3-4 hours/week for 4 weeks to complete. COURSE LINK
Full guide to becoming a Google Slides master
This full guide to Google Slides is one of the free online courses with a certificate on the SkillShare platform. It is designed to teach skills and knowledge that can be used every day in the real world. Basically, this course covers all of the key features offered in Google Slides and takes a deep dive into the hands-on implementation of key skills throughout the course. It covers all essential topics and walks students through how to create professional and clean presentations. At the end of this online course, students will get a free bonus download and also, a certificate of completion. In addition, it is one of those online courses that require a little time commitment from you. To be more precise, it is a 1 hour 43 minutes, 18 lesson course. Enroll now via the link below. COURSE LINK
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
If you want to or currently own a blog, then this is the course for you. This SEO tutorial is one of the free online courses in the USA available on the Udemy platform. In this course, you will learn how to increase your website’s ranking on search engines by optimizing your website, which will attract more customers, as well as, get more people to buy your products or services. Here is a breakdown of what to expect:
How to determine the right keywordsHow to write a Title TagAlso, how to write a Description TagThe top 10 ranking factors for search enginesHow and where to edit your site for Search Engines
This is one of the shortest programs you can pursue online. The curriculum consists of 5 sections, 12 lectures, and is 37minutes in total length. COURSE LINK
Google Analytics for Beginners
As a new blog owner, you need to familiarize yourself with Google Analytics. So, this is one of the free courses you should take advantage of. Basically, Google Analytics for Beginners shows new users how to create an account, implement tracking code, and set up data filters. You will learn how to navigate the Google Analytics interface and reports, and set up dashboards and shortcuts. The course will demonstrate how to analyze basic Audience, Acquisition, and Behavior reports, and set up goals and campaign tracking. The course takes about 4-6 hours to complete depending on your level of familiarity with the course content. COURSE LINK
Conclusion
Online courses give you the flexibility of doing whatever you want to be doing where ever you want to be doing it while also studying. Getting a certificate of completion at the end of a free online course offered by a US institution helps you save cost as well as, enhance your CV. I, therefore, encourage you to seize this opportunity and enroll in any of the above-listed free online courses with certificates in the USA. Good Luck and Success!!!
References
IGI Global – What Is An Online Course?OnlineCourseHow – What Is An Online Course?Oedb – 10 Advantages to Taking Online ClassesBestCollegesOnline – What Do You Need Before You Can Take A Course OnlineEdx – Free Online Courses From Harvard UniversityEdx – Free Online Courses From Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyStudyAbroadNations -10 Free Online Courses With Printable CertificatesEdx – Free Online Courses From The University of California, BerkleyEdx – Free Online Courses From The University of Texas System
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