Coursera is an online resource offering opportunities to learn from instructors at top universities and companies around the world. Courses taught on Coursera include data science, business, computer science and personal development. The company offers free online courses that give students access to on-demand video lectures, homework exercises and community discussion forums. Courses typically range from about 4-6 weeks and users can earn a Course Certificate if they decide to enroll in a paid course. Paid courses also give users additional quizzes and projects to work on in addition to the content provided in the free version of the course.
Coursera also provides different series of courses, called Specializations, where students can master a specific career skill. Upon completion, students earn a Specialization Certificate they can share with potential employers and others in their professional network. A third certificate offered through Coursera is a Professional Certificate, which is even more demanding and time consuming as it prepares students for a new career path and can take more than 3-6 months to complete. MasterTrack Certificates are also available for students interested in obtaining a university certificate that can count towards a master’s degree. There are also 1-4 year degree programs for those looking to obtain an accredited university bachelor or master’s degree.
