Massive Open Online Courses
Free MOOCs from Great Universities (Many Offering Certificates)
MOOCs are Massive Open Online Courses and they are rapidly changing the game for higher education, executive education and employee development generally. MOOCs offer free online courses covering a growing range of topics delivered by qualified lecturers from some of the most well-known universities in the world. In this age of lifelong learning, MOOCs are a means of providing learning and development to virtually everyone, anytime, anywhere in the world with internet access.
Below you can find a list of 625 Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) offered by leading universities. Most of these courses offer “certificates” or “statements of completion,” though typically not university credit. (See the key below to understand the credentials offered by each course, and see our MOOC FAQ if you have general questions.) Courses are arranged by start date, while evergreen courses, which can begin whenever you wish, are found at the bottom.
Free Courses Credential Key
CC = Certificate of Completion
SA = Statement of Accomplishment
CM = Certificate of Mastery
C-VA = Certificate, with Varied Levels of Accomplishment
$SJSU = San Jose State Credit for a fee
NI – No Information About Certificate Available
NC = No Certificate
Below you can find a list of 625 Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) offered by leading universities. Most of these courses offer “certificates” or “statements of completion,” though typically not university credit. (See the key below to understand the credentials offered by each course, and see our MOOC FAQ if you have general questions.) Courses are arranged by start date, while evergreen courses, which can begin whenever you wish, are found at the bottom.
Free Courses Credential Key
CC = Certificate of Completion
SA = Statement of Accomplishment
CM = Certificate of Mastery
C-VA = Certificate, with Varied Levels of Accomplishment
$SJSU = San Jose State Credit for a fee
NI – No Information About Certificate Available
NC = No Certificate
September 2013
- Economic Issues, Food & You (NI) – U of Florida on Coursera – September (10 weeks)
- Antimicrobial Stewardship: Optimization of Antibiotic Practices (NI) – Stanford on Coursera – September
- Age of Globalization (CM) – UT Austin on edX – September 1 (15 weeks)
- Introduction to Solid State Chemistry (CM) – MIT on edX – September 1 (15 weeks)
- Economics of Money and Banking, Part One (NI) – Barnard on Coursera – September 1 (7 weeks long)
- Introduction to International Criminal Law (SA) – Case Western on Coursera – September 1 (12 weeks long)
- Creativity, Innovation, and Change (NI) – Penn State on Coursera – September 1 (8 weeks)
- Algorithms: Design and Analysis, Part 2 (SA) – Stanford on Coursera – September 2 (6 weeks)
- The Ancient Greeks (CC) – Wesleyan on Coursera – September 2 (7 weeks)
- Foundations of Business Strategy (NC) – U. of Virginia on Coursera – September 2 (6 weeks)
- Metadata: Organizing and Discovering Information (SA) – UNC Chapel Hill on Coursera – September 2 (8 weeks)
- History of Rock Part One (SA) – U. of Rochester on Coursera – September 2 (7 weeks long)
- Introduction to Mathematical Thinking (CC) – Stanford on Coursera – September 2 (10 weeks)
- Linear and Integer Programming (NI) – UC Boulder on Coursera – September 2 (9 weeks)
- Practical tips to improve Asian American participation in cancer clinical trials (NI) – Stanford on Coursera – September 2
- Innovación educativa con recursos abiertos (CC) – Tecnológico de Monterrey on Coursera – September 2 (4 weeks)
- An Introduction to Global Health (SA) – University of Copenhagen on Coursera – September 2 (7 weeks)
- New Models of Business in Society (SA) – U. of Virginia on Coursera – September 2 (5 weeks)
- Exploring Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas (SA) – Curtis Institute of Music on Coursera – September 3 (5 weeks)
- From the Big Bang to Dark Energy (SA) – University of Tokyo on Coursera – September 3 (4 weeks)
- Vaccines (SA) – University of Pennsylvania on Coursera – September 3 (9 weeks)
- The Ancient Greek Hero (CC) – Harvard on edX – September 3 (17 weeks)
- Introduction to Recommender Systems (SA) - University of Minnesota on Coursera – September 3 (14 weeks)
- Dino 101: Introduction to Paleobiology (NI) – University of Alberta on Coursera – September 4 (12 weeks)
- Big Data in Education (SA) – Columbia Teachers College on Coursera – September 5 (10 weeks)
- Analysis of Algorithms (NC) – Princeton on Coursera – September (6 weeks)
- Modern & Contemporary American Poetry (SA) – University of Pennsylvania on Coursera – September 7 (10 weeks)
- Genetics and Society: A Course for Educators (NI) – American Museum of Natural History on Coursera – September 9 (4 weeks)
- Introduction to Aerodynamics (CM) – MIT on edx - September 9 (14 weeks)
- Flight Vehicle Aerodynamics (CM) – MIT on edX - September 9 (14 weeks)
- Classical Mechanics (CM) – MIT on edX – September 9
- Inquiry Science Learning: Perspectives and Practices 1 – Science Leadership (Rice “CPE credit”) – Rice on Coursera – September 9 (4 weeks)
- Introduction to Pharmacy (CC) – The Ohio State University on Coursera – September 9 (7 weeks)
- Online Games: Literature, New Media, and Narrative (SA) – Vanderbilt on Coursera – September 9 (7 weeks)
- Generation Rx: The Science Behind Prescription Drug Abuse (CC) – The Ohio State University on Coursera – September 9 (6 weeks)
- AccountableTalk®: Conversation that Works (NI) – University of Pittsburgh on Coursera – September 9 (7 weeks)
- 9/11 and Its Aftermath — Part I (SA) – Duke on Coursera – September 9 (7 weeks)
- Data Mining with Weka (SA) University of Waikato – September 9 (5 weeks long)
- Innovation and Commercialization (CM) – MIT on edX - September 9 (13 weeks)
- Contraception: Choices, Culture and Consequences (SA) – UC San Francisco on Coursera – September 9 (5 weeks)
- Introduction to Biology – The Secret of Life (CM) – MIT on edX - September 10 (14 weeks)
- Physique générale – mécanique (NI) – École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne on Coursera – September 13 (12 or 24 weeks)
- Energy 101 (CM) - UT Austin on edX - September 15 (11 weeks)
- Ideas of the 20th Century (CM) – UT Austin on edX - September 15 (13 weeks)
- The Language of Hollywood: Storytelling, Sound, and Color (CC) – Wesleyan on Coursera – September 16 (5 weeks)
- An Introduction to Financial Accounting (SA) – Penn on Coursera – September 16 (10 weeks)
- Foundations of Teaching for Learning 2: Being a Teacher (SA) – Commonwealth Education Trust on Coursera – September 16 (6 weeks)
- Solar Energy (CM) - Delft on edX – September 16 (8 weeks)
- Introduction to Water Treatment (CM) - Delft on edX - September 16 (10-12 weeks)
- Data Management for Clinical Research (NI) – Vanderbilt on Coursera – September 16 (6 weeks)
- Health Informatics in the Cloud (NI) – Georgia Tech on Coursera – September 16 (9 weeks)
- The Power of Macroeconomics: Economic Principles in the Real World (SA) – UC Irvine on Coursera – September 16 (11 weeks)
- The Power of Microeconomics: Economic Principles in the Real World (SA) – UC Irvine on Coursera – September 16 (11 weeks)
- Energy, the Environment, and Our Future (SA) – Penn State on Coursera – September 16 (8 weeks)
- Introduction to Engineering Mechanics (CC) – Georgia Tech on Coursera – September 16 (5 weeks)
- Technology Entrepreneurship: Part 1 (SA) - Stanford on Venture Lab – September 16 (8 weeks)
- Introduction to Environmental Law and Policy (SA) – UNC Chapel Hill on Coursera – September 16 (6 weeks)
- Understanding Media by Understanding Google (SA) – Northwestern University on Coursera – September 16 (6 weeks)
- Take Your Medicine – The Impact of Drug Development (CM) – UT Austin on edX – September 16 (13 weeks)
- A History of the World Since 1300 (NC) – Princeton on Coursera – September 17 (12 weeks)
- Organizational Analysis (SA) - Stanford on Coursera - September 17 (10 weeks)
- A Global History of Architecture: Part 1 (CM) – MIT on edX – September 17 (13 weeks)
- Health for All Through Primary Care (NI) – Johns Hopkins on Coursera – September 18 (5 weeks)
- Crafting an Effective Writer: Tools of the Trade (SA) – Mt. San Jacinto College on Coursera – September 21 (6 weeks)
- Statistics One (NC) – Princeton on Coursera – September 22 (12 weeks)
- The Modern Genius: Art and Culture in the 19th Century (NI) – Otis College of Art and Design on Canvas – September 22 (5 weeks)
- American Counter Terrorism Law (NI) – Canvas – September 23 (5 weeks)
- Comic Books and Graphic Novels (SA) – University of Colorado Boulder on Coursera – September 23 (7 weeks)
- Exploring Engineering (NI) – Brown University Continuing Ed on Canvas – September 23 (3 weeks)
- Fundamentals of Rehearsing Music Ensembles (SA) – UNC Chapel Hill on Coursera – September 23 (8 weeks)
- Going Out on a Limb: The Anatomy of the Upper Limb (SA) – Perelman School of Medicine on Coursera – September 23 (9 weeks)
- X-Word Grammar: The Simple Sentence (NI) – Canvas – September 23 (10 weeks)
- Computer Architecture (NC) – Princeton on Cousera – September 23 (11 weeks)
- Science of Relationships (SA) – Colorado State University on Course Sites- September 23 (8 weeks)
- Everything is the Same: Modeling Engineered Systems (SA) – Northwestern University on Coursera – September 23 (8 weeks)
- Initiation à la programmation (en C++) (CC) – École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne on Coursera – September 23 (7 weeks)
- Initiation à la programmation (en Java) (CC) – École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne on Coursera – September 23 (7 weeks)
- Pre-Calculus (CC) – Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona on Coursera – September 23 (8 weeks)
- Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers (SA) – Stanford - September 23 (8 weeks)
- Mathematical Methods for Quantitative Finance (NC) – University of Washington on Coursera – September 25 (8 weeks)
- Introduction to Human Evolution (CM) – Wellesley on edX – September 25 (12 weeks)
- Calculus Two: Sequences and Series (SA) – Ohio State on Coursera – September 27 (6 weeks)
- Introduction to Complexity (NI) – Santa Fe Institute – September 30 (11 weeks)
- Foundations of Virtual Instruction (SA) – UC Irvine on Coursera – September 30 (5 weeks)
- International Organizations Management (NC) – University of Geneva on Coursera – September 30 (6 weeks)
- Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Comparing Theory and Practice (SA) – Universiteit Leiden on Coursera – September 30 (5 weeks)
- Global Tuberculosis (TB) Clinical Management and Research (SA) – Johns Hopkins on Coursera – September 30 (9 weeks)
- Developing Innovative Ideas for New Companies (NI) – University of Maryland on Coursera – September 30 (6 weeks)
- Surviving Disruptive Technologies (CC) – U Maryland on Coursera – September 30 (7 weeks)
- General Game Playing (NI) – Stanford on Coursera – September 30 (8 weeks)
- Introduction to Logic (CC) – Stanford on Coursera – September 30 (8 weeks)
- The Role of the Renminbi in the International Monetary System (SA) – The Chinese University of Hong Kong on Coursera – September 30 (4 weeks)
October 2013
- The Rise and Fall of Jerusalem (SA) – Tel Aviv University on Coursera – October 1 (6 weeks)
- From the Repertoire: Western Music History through Performance (SA) – Curtis Institute of Music – October 1 (7 weeks)
- Antimicrobial Stewardship: Optimization of Antibiotic Practices (NI) – Stanford on Coursera – October 1
- Introduction to Philosophy: God, Knowledge and Consciousness (CM) – MIT on edX - October 1 (11 weeks)
- Globalization’s Winners and Losers: Challenges for Developed and Developing Countries (CM) – Georgetown on edX – October 1 (7 weeks)
- What a Plant Knows (SA) - Tel Aviv University on Coursera – October 1 (6 weeks)
- Electricity & Magnetism (CM) – Rice on edX – October 1 (10 weeks)
- Central Challenges in American National Security, Strategy and the Press: An Introduction (CM) – Harvard on edX – October 1 (8 weeks)
- Programming Languages (NI) - U. of Washington – October 3 (10 weeks)
- Video Games and Learning (SA) – U of Wisconsin-Madison – October 5 (5 weeks)
- Financing New Ventures (NI) – UCSF on NovoEd – October 7 (7 weeks)
- Chemistry: Concept Development and Application Part II (SA) – Rice on Coursera – October 7 (9 weeks)
- Exploring Quantum Physics (SA) – U. Maryland on Coursera – October 7 (8 weeks)
- An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python (SA) – Rice on Coursera - October 7 (9 weeks)
- Common Core in Action: Literacy Across Content Areas (SA) – New Teacher Center on Coursera - October 7 (6 weeks)
- Sustainable Agricultural Land Management (NI) – U. Florida on Coursera - October 7 (9 weeks)
- The Dynamic Earth: A Course for Educators (NI) - American Museum of Natural History on Coursera - October 7 (4 weeks)
- Pre-Calculus (SA) – UC Irvine on Coursera - October 7 (10 weeks)
- Understanding and Improving the US Healthcare System (SA) – U. of Michigan on Coursera - October 7 (6 weeks)
- Social Network Analysis (CC) – U. of Michigan on Coursera - October 7 (9 weeks)
- Foundations of Computer Graphics (CM) - UC Berkeley on edX - October 7 (6 weeks)
- Designing Cities (SA) – U Penn on Coursera - October 7 (10 weeks)
- Securing Digital Democracy (CC) – University of Michigan on Coursera – October 7 (7 weeks)
- Network Analysis in Systems Biology (SA) – Mount Sinai on Coursera - October 7 (7 weeks)
- Søren Kierkegaard – Subjectivity, Irony and the Crisis of Modernity (SA) - Univ of Copenhagen on Coursera - October 7 (8 weeks)
- Introduction to Finance (CC) - U. of Michigan on Coursera - October 7 (15 weeks)
No Fixed Start Date – Begin On The Date Of Your Choice
- The Eurozone Crisis (CC) – MRUniversity
- Economics of the Media (CC) - MRUniversity
- The American Housing Finance System (CC) - MRUniversity
- Marketing the Hospitality Brand through New Media - Cornell
- Locating, Creating, Licensing and Utilizing OERs - SUNY
- AP Computer Science – Amplify
- Introduction to Computer Science (C-VA) – Udacity
- Introduction to Physics (C-VA) – Udacity
- Introductory Algebra Review (NI) – Udacity
- Visualizing Algebra (SJSU Credit) – Udacity
- College Algebra (SJSU Credit) – Udacity
- Statistics (SJSU Credit) – Udacity
- Interactive 3D Graphics - (C-VA) – Udacity
- Introduction to Programming in Java (NI) – San Jose State on Udacity
- Introduction to Psychology (NI) – San Jose State on Udacity
- Introduction to Statistics: Making Decisions Based on Data (C-VA) – Udacity
- Algorithms: Crunching Social Networks (C-VA) - Udacity
- Differential Equations in Action: Making Math Matter (C-VA) - Udacity
- Web Development: How to Build a Blog (C-VA) - Udacity
- Software Testing: How to Make Software Fail (C-VA) - Udacity
- Programming Languages: Building a Web Browser (C-VA) - Udacity
- Introduction to Theoretical Computer Science: Dealing with Challenging Problems (C-VA) - Udacity
- How to Build a Startup: The Lean LaunchPad (C-VA) - Udacity
- Design of Computer Programs: Programming Principles (C-VA) - Udacity
- Artificial Intelligence: Programming A Robotic Car (C-VA) - Udacity
- Applied Cryptography: Science of Secrets (C-VA) - Udacity
- HTML5 Game Development (C-VA) - Udacity
- Introduction to Parallel Programming (C-VA) - Udacity
- Interactive Rendering (C-VA) - Udacity
- Functional Hardware Verification (C-VA) - Udacity
- American English Speech (NC) – Carnegie Mellon
- Anatomy and Physiology (NC) – Carnegie Mellon
- Argument Diagramming (NC) – Carnegie Mellon
- Biochemistry (NC) – Carnegie Mellon
- Elementary French 1 (NC) - Carnegie Mellon
- Elementary French 2 (NC) – Carnegie Mellon
- Engineering Statics (NC) – Carnegie Mellon
- Introduction to Biology (NC) – Carnegie Mellon
- Introduction to Chemistry (NC) – Carnegie Mellon
- Introduction to Psychology (NC) – Carnegie Mellon
- Logic and Proofs (NC) – Carnegie Mellon
- Media Programming (NC) – Carnegie Mellon
- Modern Biology (NC) – Carnegie Mellon
- Probability and Statistics (NC) – Carnegie Mellon
- Statistical Reasoning (NC) – Carnegie Mellon
