6 Things You Must Know About Free E-Courses
Open online classes can broaden your knowledge, but don't pin your career hopes on them yet.

1. MOOCs are huge.
Massive open online courses (or MOOCs) are college-level courses available to anyone. Lectures and course materials are accessed online, and tests may be computer graded or peer reviewed. Started as experiments to connect students from all over the world, the numbers didn’t hit truly “massive” proportions until 2011, when Stanford professor Sebastian Thrun offered Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and 160,000 students from 190 countries enrolled.
2. How to focus in.
Three big companies provide the majority of MOOCs. Thrun launched Udacity, which was soon followed by Coursera, also founded by Stanford professors. (Princeton and Yale are among the Ivies whose courses are listed on Coursera.) The third is edX, a nonprofit joint venture of Harvard and MIT. Harvard professor and bestselling author Michael Sandel offers his popular philosophy course, Justice, as a MOOC, exploring topics from bank bailouts to affirmative action. Thrun, best known for pioneering Google’s driverless car, still has his original AI course available online. You can search listings for all the major providers at www.class-central.com.
3. Satisfaction, yes. Credit, no.
The most you can hope for at this point when you take a MOOC is a certificate of completion. All three major providers charge for a verified certificate (prices vary by provider and course) that assures your tests were digitally proctored or your identity and coursework have otherwise been checked. Last year, the American Council on Education endorsed five MOOCs for credit (two from Duke University, two from the University of California–Irvine and one from the University of Pennsylvania), which may signal greater acceptance.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
4. Reach for the stars.
Lifelong learners can take introductory courses in everything from astronomy to physics. Looking to enhance your skill set? Courses in computer sciences and engineering are plentiful at Udacity; you’ll find both introductory and higher-level offerings. Or maybe you just want to follow your passion. For baseball junkies, Boston University recently offered Sabermetrics 101: Introduction to Baseball Analytics. Beatlemaniacs could take The Music of the Beatles, from the University of Rochester.
5. Test-drive a new career.
Thinking about a career change? Use a MOOC to see if you like the field. But to gain clout with an employer, you’ll need a certificate program or master’s degree. Georgia Tech is offering the first MOOC-based master’s in computer science. Anyone may take the classes, but if you want to get on the degree track, you’ll have to be accepted into the program, take in-person proctored exams and pay about $7,000 over three years.
6. Earn digital badges.
Michael Nanfito, executive director of the National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education, says that in the future, “online learning, including MOOCs, will get more formal acknowledgment of its value.” For example, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan supports a system of “digital badges”—which could include MOOCs—to allow students to showcase skills not reflected in their diploma.

-
Six Steps to Take if You've Recently Inherited Money From a Loved One
It’s important to deal with the emotional aspect first before tackling the financial one.
By Kiplinger Advisor Collective Published
-
Alaska Airlines to Buy Hawaiian: Get Bonus Miles Now
How to use the Alaska Airlines credit card and frequent flyer program to save on trips to Hawaii, Alaska and beyond.
By Ellen Kennedy Published
-
Best Foreclosure Sites for Finding Properties
Making Your Money Last Wondering how to find foreclosed homes for sale for your next residence or to flip for a profit? These websites will guide you to foreclosures and real estate-owned properties to buy.
By Bob Niedt Published
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnb
real estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
By Miriam Cross Published
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute Vacation
Travel Procrastinator? No matter. You can pull off a fun and memorable getaway on a moment's notice — without breaking the bank.
By Vaishali Varu Published
-
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
insurance Instead of relying on rules of thumb, you’re better off taking a systematic approach to figuring your life-insurance needs.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
-
When Is Amazon Prime Day?
Amazon Prime In 2023 Amazon had two Prime Day events — one in July and another, called Big Deal Days, in October. We expect 2024 to follow the same schedule.
By Bob Niedt Last updated
-
How to Shop for Life Insurance in 3 Easy Steps
insurance Shopping for life insurance? You may be able to estimate how much you need online, but that's just the start of your search.
By Kaitlin Pitsker Published
-
5 Ways to Shop for a Low Mortgage Rate
Becoming a Homeowner Rates are high this year, but you can still find an affordable loan.
By Daniel Bortz Published
-
Retirees, It's Not Too Late to Buy Life Insurance
life insurance Improvements in underwriting have made it easier to qualify for life insurance, which can be a useful estate-planning tool.
By David Rodeck Published