You can also pay to receive a certificate of completion from each course or receive a professional or MicroMasters certificate.
Online learning has made education more accessible than ever, but few platforms make getting a quality education easier or more affordable than the non-profit edX.
edX is a massive open online course (MOOC) provider founded by MIT and Harvard in 2012. By partnering with more than 90 of the world's leading universities, non-profits, NGOs, and corporations, it's able to offer free, high-quality courses across a large range of subjects.
edX's mission is to:
Increase access to high-quality education for everyone, everywhere
Enhance teaching and learning on campus and online
If you're interested in learning more about edX, keep reading.
Ivy Leagues, top international universities, small liberal arts colleges, and performing arts schools are all represented in edX's impressive roster of educational institutions.
Jannis Tobias Werner/Shutterstock
Here are just a handful of names you'll recognize:
Itching to start learning? Visit the courses page to browse more than 3,200 classes in a variety of disciplines.
edX
On the courses page, you can filter by subject, proficiency level (e.g. intermediate), credit eligibility, and even language.
edX offers the most courses in computer science, business and management, engineering, social sciences, and humanities, so definitely consider the platform if you're interested in these subjects.
Once you choose to enroll in a course, you have the option to pursue a verified certificate or audit the course for free.
edX
The verified certificate, signed by the instructor and bearing the institution's logo, gives you the ability to highlight your new skills and knowledge on your resume or LinkedIn profile, plus some extra incentive to finish the course. The certificate fee, which can cost $40-$160 depending on the course, also helps support edX as a non-profit.
If you choose to audit the course for free, you still get complete access to all the course materials, activities, tests, and forums.
Each course is organized by course expectations, the class schedule, learning materials (videos, readings, assignments), and discussion opportunities.
edX
Many courses are self-paced, which provides great flexibility for your busy life. At the same time, everything is structured enough so you won't feel lost or out of control with all the independence.
Outside of individual courses, edX also offers a variety of programs, like the MicroBachelors and MicroMasters certificates, which provide an accelerated, less expensive path to a bachelor's or master's degree.
edX
These programs are a series of undergraduate and graduate-level courses that dive deep into specific career fields. The credits you earn from passing these courses go toward a MicroBachelors or MicroMasters certificate, which can also count towards an on-campus degree.
The certificate doesn't guarantee admission to a full bachelor or master's program; instead, if you apply and are accepted into the on-campus or online program that is associated with your MicroBachelors or MicroMasters program, the credential will count toward the degree, reducing your financial burden and time commitment.
Pursuing this certificate is significantly less expensive than a traditional, fully-on-campus degree, so if you find that cost is a prohibitive factor in your goal of getting a bachelor's or master's, you should check out the MicroBachelors and MicroMasters programs on edX.
Another way you can get ahead and stand out is with a professional certificate.
edX
The professional certificate programs are structured like the MicroBachelors and MicroMasters, but more focused on helping you build your professional skills so you can succeed in the most in-demand jobs and industries today. Learning doesn't stop once you leave school, and as different industries continue to evolve, it's important to stay on top of the shifting responsibilities and skillsets that are expected of employees.
Whether you're a high school student looking to get ready for college, a professional who wants to advance your career, or just a passionate lifelong learner, edX can help you achieve your goals.
