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Course Report

[2024] 850+ Online Courses with Real College Credit that You Can Access for Free

We scoured the Class Central database to find free online courses that are part of for-credit programs.

College Credit Banner

Many universities offer online courses for credit. Class Central has already compiled 70+ MOOC-based master’s degrees. Many of the courses in these online degree programs are publicly available: anyone with an internet connection can take them.

Some of these courses are “freebies” meant to give prospective students a taste of what the full online degree would be like. Others, like edX’s MicroMasters, are essentially partial degree programs, equivalent to about one semester of university. And others, like Illinois’ iMBA and Georgia Tech’s OMSCS, are full degree programs that can be audited for free online.

The catch (yes, there’s a catch) is that in order to convert online coursework into university credit, you have to enroll in the corresponding university. And that usually means going through an admissions process and paying tuition.

That said, by making these courses free-to-audit, universities are giving online learners the same learning opportunities afforded to students taking the courses for credit.

At Class Central, we’re constantly updating our catalog of over 150K courses. Searching through our database, we compiled a list of more than 850 free online courses that are part of a for-credit online program.

Subjects

To make the list easy to navigate, we’ve grouped the courses by subject and sorted them according to the total number of courses offered. Click on a subject to jump to the corresponding section:

  • Business28 degrees, 29 microcredentials, 322 courses.
  • Computer Science6 degrees, 11 microcredentials, 95 courses.
  • Data Science4 degrees, 8 microcredentials, 84 courses.
  • Engineering2 degrees, 6 microcredentials, 83 courses.
  • Social Sciences5 degrees, 7 microcredentials, 53 courses.
  • Science2 degrees, 8 microcredentials, 51 courses.
  • Health — 5 degrees, 4 microcredentials, 47 courses.
  • Programming1 degree, 6 microcredentials, 28 courses.
  • Infosec — 2 degrees, 2 microcredentials, 25 courses.
  • Education3 degrees, 3 microcredentials, 16 courses.
  • Personal Development — 4 microcredentials, 16 courses.
  • Humanities — 2 degrees, 15 courses.
  • Art & Design4 microcredentials, 14 courses.
  • Mathematics — 2 microcredentials, 9 courses.

By mix-and-matching these courses, you can even build your own pseudo-degree. Here’s a Class Central guide on how to build an MBA using free online class from Top 10 Business Schools.


Computer Science

Master’s degrees

Master of Computer and Information Technology

Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS)

Master of Computer Science

Masters Degree in Information Technology Leadership

Master’s Degree in IT Management

Bachelor’s degrees

Bachelor of Computer Science

MicroMasters

Predictive Analytics using Python

Artificial Intelligence

Algorithms and Data Structures

Quantum Technology: Computing

Quantum Technology: Detectors and Networking

Internet of Things (IoT)

Information Systems

Information Systems

MicroBachelors

Programming & Data Structures

Computer Science Fundamentals

Introduction to Information Technology

Health & Medicine

Master’s degrees

Master of Public Health

Global Master of Public Health (GMPH)

MSc Nursing

MSc End of Life Studies

Bachelor’s degrees

One Health Graduate Certificate

MicroMasters

Healthcare Administration

Certified Lifestyle Medicine Executive

Healthcare Administration

MicroBachelors

Anatomy and Physiology Essentials

Mathematics

MicroBachelors

Mathematics and Statistics Fundamentals

Statistics Fundamentals

Business

Master’s degrees

Master of Science in Management

Online Master’s of Accounting (iMSA)

Master of Business Administration (iMBA)

Master’s Degree in Supply Chain Management

Master’s Degree in Leadership: Service Innovation

Master of Business Administration (Artificial Intelligence)

MA Management (Advanced Standing)

Master of Business Administration

MSc Business and Organisational Psychology

MSc Global Logistics

MBA International Human Resource Management

Master of Business Administration (Cyber Security Management)

Master of Business Administration (Health Care Sector)

Master of Business Administration (Marketing)

Master of Business Administration (Sustainable Tourism)

Masters Degree in Leadership

Global Master of Business Administration (GMBA)

MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Master’s Degree in Accounting

Master of Business Administration

MSc Project Management

Bachelor’s degrees

PgC Human Resource Management

PgC Global Development Management

Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship

BA International Business (Top Up)

BA Management and Leadership

Bachelor of Science in Marketing

Graduate Certificate in Health Administration, Policy and Leadership

MicroMasters

Business Analytics

Business Management

International Hospitality Management

Finance

Supply Chain Management

Business Fundamentals

Global Business Leadership and Management

Business Leadership

Corporate Innovation

Digital Product Management

Digital Leadership

Digital Transformation Leadership

Entrepreneurship

MBA Core Curriculum

Liderazgo y trabajo en equipo en grupos de mejora continua

Innovación y emprendimiento

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Project Management

Design Thinking

Management

Marketing in a Digital World

Managing Technology & Innovation: How to deal with disruptive change

Accounting

Gestión de servicios: diseño de experiencias exitosas

Marketing Analytics

Organizational Psychology

MicroBachelors

Marketing Essentials

Business Analytics Foundations

Financial Accounting and Analysis

Humanities

Bachelor’s degrees

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences

Engineering

Master’s degrees

Master’s Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

MicroMasters

Principles of Manufacturing

Nanoscience and Technology

Reliability and Decision Making in Engineering Design

Structural Design

Materials Engineering for Intelligent Infrastructure

Solar Energy Engineering

Science

Master’s degrees

MSc Construction Management with BIM

MSc Construction Project and Cost Management

MicroMasters

Water and Global Human Health

Economics and Policies for a Circular Bio-Economy

Business and Operations for a Circular Bio-Economy

Sustainable Agribusiness

Emerging Automotive Technologies

Siembra Directa: agricultura productiva sustentable

MicroBachelors

University Chemistry

Microbiology

Education & Teaching

Master’s degrees

Masters Degree in Digital Learning Leadership

Bachelor’s degrees

PgC Online and Distance Education

Postgraduate Certificate in Education

MicroMasters

Leading Educational Innovation and Improvement

Instructional Design and Technology

e-Learning: crea actividades y contenidos para la enseñanza virtual

Social Sciences

Master’s degrees

MSc Disaster Management and Resilience

MSc Emergency Management and Resilience

Masters Degree in Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Action

MSc Mental Health

MSc Child and Adolescent Mental Wellbeing

MicroMasters

Sustainable Energy

Social Work: Practice, Policy and Research

Water and Wastewater Treatment

International Legal Studies

International Law

Chemistry and Technology for Sustainability

Derechos humanos: desafíos contemporáneos

Art & Design

MicroMasters

Writing for Performance and the Entertainment Industries

Integrated Digital Media

UX Design and Evaluation

Design et Évaluation UX

Data Science

Master’s degrees

Online Master of Science in Analytics (OMS Analytics)

Master of Computer Science in Data Science

Master of Data Science

Master of Science in Data Science

MicroMasters

Statistics and Data Science

Data Science

Analytics: Essential Tools and Methods

Big Data Technology

Bioinformatics

Big Data

Fundamentos de investigación en ciencias de la salud

MicroBachelors

Elements of Data Science

Programming

Master’s degrees

Maestría en Ingeniería de Software

MicroMasters

Software Development

Cloud Computing

Software Testing and Verification

MicroBachelors

Full Stack Cloud Application Development

Introduction to Databases

Data Management with Python and SQL

Personal Development

MicroMasters

Habilidades profesionales: negociación y liderazgo

Humanities & Soft Skills

MicroBachelors

Business and Professional Communication for Success

Information Literacy

Information Security (InfoSec)

Master’s degrees

Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity (OMS Cybersecurity)

MSc Cyber Security

MicroMasters

Cybersecurity

MicroBachelors

Cybersecurity Fundamentals

Bobby Brady Profile Image

Bobby Brady

Bobby has successfully utilized MOOCs in his professional career twice, transitioning from the service industry to IT support and then again to Development. He now works full time as an edtech consultant and contractor helping students from all over the world learn React and JavaScript.
Laurie Pickard Profile Image

Laurie Pickard

I got into MOOCs when I started a project to replicate a traditional MBA using free online courses. My blog at NoPayMBA.com resulted in a book called Don't Pay For Your MBA.
Suparn Patra Profile Image

Suparn Patra

Suparn developed an interest in MOOCs through a project he worked on during his MSc in Artificial Intelligence. He joined Class Central as a Full Stack Engineer.

Comments 9

  1. Cory Pavicich

    You can also apply your work in the University of Colorado Boulder’s The Teacher and Social and Emotional Learning Specialization on Coursera toward 3 graduate teacher credits. You do have to pay for credit, but you don’t have to enroll in any campus programs! https://www.coursera.org/specializations/teacher-sel.

    Reply
  2. Richard Caiquo-Arthur

    Please, how do I identify the masters degree programs among the lot?

    Reply
  3. Muvaffak GOZAYDIN

    Richard, be careful . All above are MOOCs providing credits, not towards degrees . Only degree programs are from Georgia Tech and Uni of Illinois . Even MIT provides master degree with 5 courses online free but 5 courses on campus at $ 30.000 Just look up every entry above . I suggest all top universities mujst provide online degrees . But my personal solution is http://www.worlduniversity.london
    You can take 5 masters degrees if you complete 10 courses selected by the world university .All free too .

    Reply
    • CLC

      Careful with this type of university if you want a government job it needs to be on the list… https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/search-results

      Reply
      • Hugh Dee

        Well said. Also, in America, Fortune 500 corporations will only recognize degrees from “accredited” universities. Prospective students should always verify an online school’s accreditation before buying into any online study program.

        Reply
  4. Josh Escobdo

    The courses in this article are moocs, they do not award “college credits”. It’s pretty important for your visitors to not be misled into taking these & thinking they’re going to get college credit. If they want free college credit they should visit onlinedegree.com, they offer 100% free college credits, 44 credits can be obtained. Courses are self paced (no deadlines, no semesters, enroll anytime), no homework or assignments & best of all they just had all their credits approved to be transferred to over 1,000 U.S. college. One other free option is University of the People, an American accredited online university offering 100% free associate, bachelor, & MBAs to anyone with a high school diploma/GED.

    Reply
  5. Kevin Booth

    Don’t go to the links posted by other commenters, as they are for ‘spam’ links…. shady shady people….

    Reply
  6. Cherole

    Good day

    I need to get started with a course I chose under Havard University titled Children’s rights but I have since responded to an email that required that I confirm my email address but can’t reply.The question is what is the next level.

    THANKS
    CT MAKHELE

    Reply
  7. William

    Could we update this with the info for the Masters in Science in Management from Illinois?

    Reply

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