Free Online Courses

Online Programs

Free Courses - Learn at your Pace and Place!

Our free, online non-credit courses offer an excellent opportunity for professional development. Designed for learners at all levels, these courses allow you to enhance your knowledge and skills in specific areas of education at your own pace to be utilized by professionals in education, business, technology, and healthcare.

Designed and taught by Illinois College of Education faculty, these courses provide an excellent opportunity to advance your career, explore new interests, or expand your skill set. Learn at your own pace, on your own schedule, and in a way that suits your learning style.

Complete courses at no cost and earn certificates to demonstrate your expertise. These courses are ideal for those looking to advance their careers, gain specialized knowledge, or explore new fields without the commitment of traditional programs.

Courses can be completed entirely online and at your own pace, allowing you the flexibility to learn when it’s convenient for you, and are offered on the Coursera Platform.

Program Details

Course Format: Online
Course Platform: Coursera
Duration: Self-paced
Type: Non-Credit

With no tuition fees, these courses are accessible to anyone looking to grow in the fields of education, business, technology, and healthcare. Start learning today and unlock new opportunities for your career!

Free Online Learning for Illinois Students, Faculty, and Staff

Current Illinois students, faculty, and staff can access a dedicated portal offering free enrollment in non-credit online courses and Specializations through Illinois on Coursera.

Complete a course and earn a co-branded Illinois/Coursera certificate—perfect for enhancing your resume or LinkedIn profile.

Visit the Illinois on Coursera Portal and start learning today!

e-Learning Ecologies: Innovative Approaches to Teaching and Learning for the Digital Age

4.5 ★
98% of Students Liked this Class
4 Modules
19 hours to complete

Literacy Teaching and Learning: Aims, Approaches and Pedagogies

4.5 ★
98% of Students Liked this Class
4 Modules
16 hours to complete

Multimodal Literacies: Communication and Learning in the Era of Digital Media

4.8 ★
98% of Students Liked this Class
4 Modules
24 hours to complete

Race and Cultural Diversity in American Life

4.6 ★
95% of Students Liked this Class
4 Modules
7 hours to complete

Assessment for Learning

4.7 ★
98% of Students Liked this Class
4 Modules
14 hours to complete

Learning, Knowledge, and Human Development

4.6 ★
97% of Students Liked this Class
4 Modules
9 hours to complete

Negotiating Learner Differences: Towards Productive Diversity

4.5 ★
88% of Students Liked this Class
4 Modules
15 hours to complete

New Learning: Principles and Patterns of Pedagogy

4.7 ★
98% of Students Liked this Class
4 Modules
15 hours to complete

Ubiquitous Learning and Instructional Technologies

4.6 ★
91% of Students Liked this Class
4 Modules
14 hours to complete

Instructional Design Foundations and Applications

4.0 ★
88% of Students Liked this Class
5 Modules
12 hours to complete

Constructivism and Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education

4.7 ★
93% of Students Liked this Class
5 Modules
10 hours to complete

Learning Technologies Foundations and Applications

4.5 ★
90% of Students Liked this Class
6 Modules
8 hours to complete

Foundations of Trauma Informed Pedagogy

4 Modules
8 hours to complete

Machine and Human Learning

4 Modules
36 hours to complete

Unlock Your Potential with the University of Illinois

The University of Illinois is leading the way in education with a diverse range of free online courses. We are committed to academic excellence, creating dynamic programs that empower you to apply your skills for meaningful impact. Whether you want to deepen your knowledge in a specific area or explore new fields, our free online offerings provide flexibility and convenience, allowing you to learn at your own pace. Join a global community of learners and start your educational journey today!

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Illinois on Coursera different than taking a course on Coursera.org?

Illinois on Coursera has the same content as Coursera.org, but entering via Illinois on Coursera means you don’t have to pay for certificates that you would typically pay for on Coursera.org. In addition to course content, you also have access to quizzes and exams at no cost. You can pass the course and receive a course certificate -- all for free.

Can I receive university credit or a transcript for Illinois' Coursera courses?

Illinois on Coursera courses are not official courses at the University of Illinois. Created by Illinois faculty, Illinois' Coursera courses provide opportunities to advance your career, explore your interests, or expand your skill set. To learn more about Coursera certificates, please see Coursera’s page on Course Certificates. Coursera certificates do not represent university credit or continuing education units from Illinois and do not come with a University of Illinois transcript.

Will this affect my academic performance or work evaluations? Can I earn credit?

No, you cannot earn academic credit with these courses. Certificates earned from Illinois on Coursera are non-credit. However, Coursera certificate badges are the second most-posted micro credential on LinkedIn. You can absolutely post your certificates on LinkedIn, in your resume/CV, etc.

Though you may use your accomplishments on Illinois on Coursera to further your studies or career, your professors, advisors, supervisors, etc. cannot see your performance. You will not earn credit or change your GPA by taking these courses.

The degree programs and MasterTrack certificate programs that lead to University of Illinois credit are not available under Illinois on Coursera. These affordable for-credit graduate options are available separately. Learn more by visiting Coursera.org.

Do I need any prior qualifications to take these courses?

No prior qualifications are required to enroll in these courses. They are open to anyone interested in learning and enhancing their skills in a variety of education-related fields. Some courses may have recommended prerequisites, which will be clearly stated on the course page.

How long do the courses take to complete?

Each course is designed to be completed at your own pace. Typically, courses take about 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the course content and your availability to study. You can go faster or slower depending on your schedule.

How do I enroll in a course?

To enroll, simply visit the course page on Coursera, click the "Enroll" button, and follow the prompts. You’ll need to create a Coursera account (if you don’t have one) to start your learning journey.

How do I access course materials?

Once you are enrolled in a course, you’ll have full access to all course materials, including video lectures, readings, quizzes, and assignments. You can access the materials anytime and from anywhere with an internet connection.

Are there deadlines for assignments?

While most of the courses are self-paced, some may have suggested deadlines to help you stay on track. If the course has a fixed schedule, the deadlines will be clearly communicated in the course materials. You are welcome to complete the course at your own pace, even if you miss a deadline.

Can I take these courses if I don’t have access to Illinois on Coursera?

Yes! Anyone can access Illinois courses hosted on the Coursera platform. Illinois created content on Coursera.org is the same as the content on Illinois on Coursera. The difference is that you will need to pay to access certain content and quizzes or to receive a credential for your learning. Most courses offer an option to “audit,” which gives free access to a portion of the learning content, but no course certificate

I thought this was free, but I’m being asked to pay. What should I do now?

You likely entered Coursera through its main homepage, and not through the entrance that will identify you as an Illinois on Coursera user. If you are looking for the option of free course offerings/certificate opportunities for current Illinois students, faculty, and staff, you'll need to do that directly from this page and select the Login with University of Illinois option.

Is this available to Illinois alumni?

While Illinois alumni are not currently eligible for Illinois on Coursera, alumni can sign up for Illinois’ Coursera courses through the main Coursera website.

What support is available if I have trouble with the course?

Coursera offers a range of support options including a help center, technical support, and community forums. If you encounter any issues or have questions about the course, you can reach out to the Coursera support team for assistance.

Are these courses MOOCs?

These classes are MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses). A MOOC is a free, online courses that provide flexible learning opportunities. Offered in partnership with Coursera, these courses are designed to help you gain knowledge and skills at your own pace. You can access course materials, participate in discussions, and complete assignments—all on your schedule.

Will I receive a certificate upon completion?

Yes, upon successfully completing a course, you will receive a certificate. However, please note that while the courses are free, there may be a fee for the certificate itself. You can choose whether or not to pay for the certificate