With the cost of a college education rising, more people are searching for alternatives to the traditional four year path. Colleges and universities are taking notice, even going as far as adding free courses. While they may not count for credit, they can help learners of all ages grasp a concept or grow their knowledge. Consider these top tier universities who are changing the way courses are presented.
Harvard
There is arguably no better known name in education than Harvard. Having a degree from the university has its own merits, but just saying you’re taking courses there carries its own prestige. The Harvard offers free courses that utilizes Youtube and iTunes for a complete approach. Of course, you’ll have to buy your own textbooks to follow along, but the experience replicates anything a student would experience in a classroom.
Oxford
The English institution for higher learning is utilizing the popular methods of podcasts to offer free courses. Through the popular iTunes service, students can access a wealth of free lectures, seminars, and classes. A broad range of topics are covered ranging from historical facts to scientific studies.
UCLA
Creating an archive of lectures is at the forefront of UCLA’s online learning programs. The result is an extensive free database of classes lectures that are available to anyone. Instead of focusing on audio content, these videos are high quality and free from the usual glitches you might find in university produced content.
Vanderbilt
This Nashville institution has a reputation for outstanding higher learning and that excellence extends to its own free online courses. While they do offer lectures and classes through the iTunes U program, their most interesting contributions come from a dedicated Youtube channel. Videos are organized for easy access and quick reference to particular subjects. If you are studying a specific discipline, there are also sections related to the each of the university’s specific departments.
Penn State
The university has been a growing presence among the online learning community, much of that is due to its extensive course options. It’s not just undergraduate programs available through their iTunes page, there is also a wealth of information for MBA programs.
Duke
The university known around the world for its athletics also offers a range of free online content. With the price of tuition at the university, it is arguably one of the best values among educational programs online. Instead of choosing just one format, their approach to offering lectures is both video and audio content. Whether you’d prefer to listen to lectures or watch them as they are presented, either option provides the same options.
MIT
MIT, also known as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is thought of as a leader in online education thanks to their efforts. Using a platform called OpenCourseware, the higher learning institution makes all of its courses available to the public. Students can download the courses with an easy to use interface. Anyone who feels that the program has benefited them or is interested in supporting free educational programs can also make a donation through the site.
Stanford
Both paid and free learning opportunities are available through the university’s website, Stanford Online. To achieve a degree or receive credit for work done on any courses, you must pay the standard course fees. If you don’t mind skipping course credits, an open learning section offers the same learning opportunities without credit. Certain programs may make an exception for students using free courses, so always ask a site representative before making a decision based on available certifications or credit hours.
Johns Hopkins
By no means a full medical degree program, Johns Hopkins does offer limited free courses online. The available courses are limited to selected topics, mainly focusing on social medicine issues as opposed to traditional coursework. Unlike some free courses at other universities, this site does not offer interaction with the instructors themselves and provides no additional help for answers or information. Suggestions are offered on further reading as well as possible workbooks that would assist in learning. None of these books are offered for free with the course, instead you can try a local library.
Yale
This prestigious university has made a name for itself, not only among Ivy League schools, but all institutions. Their reputation extends to providing high quality online learning options for students, no matter where they are. Youtube and iTunes are the primary outlets for their free courses. All of these classes were recorded on campus and feature approved university instructors.
Learning a new subject doesn’t mean you’ll go into debt. With the growing industry of free online universities, there has never been a better time to start a new course. These universities and many more are waiting to help you start that new educational path towards success.