6 answers
M.
Student
Los Ángeles, Bío Bío Region, Chile
7
Questions
Updated
738 views
Can the courses on coursera help?
If I pay for the courses and complete then and buy their certificates will it help me and do educational institutes agree and accept them?
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6 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1334
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey M.!
Coursera can definitely help, depending on your goals! I have also done some courses on courser as well and I mostly did for learning and didn't buy the certificate, just to increase my knowledge. Basically, most universities won’t give credit for Coursera certificates, but some programs (like MasterTrack) may count. Always check with the schools you’re interested in for their policies.
However, Coursera certificates are valuable in fields like tech, business, and data science and even programming, especially if they’re from industry leaders like Google, IBM, or Meta. They show initiative and can boost your resume.
So you can decide or just check with the university or college you are headed to and check if they would accept them or not.
Good luck and all the best!😉
Focus on your goal—degree or job
Pay if you want to impress employers or switch careers.
Skip paying if you just want to learn—you can audit most courses for free. I literally have done that too! 😁
Coursera can definitely help, depending on your goals! I have also done some courses on courser as well and I mostly did for learning and didn't buy the certificate, just to increase my knowledge. Basically, most universities won’t give credit for Coursera certificates, but some programs (like MasterTrack) may count. Always check with the schools you’re interested in for their policies.
However, Coursera certificates are valuable in fields like tech, business, and data science and even programming, especially if they’re from industry leaders like Google, IBM, or Meta. They show initiative and can boost your resume.
So you can decide or just check with the university or college you are headed to and check if they would accept them or not.
Good luck and all the best!😉
Dr recommends the following next steps:
"Thanks, Dr. H! Appreciate the insight. Sounds like Coursera is solid for boosting skills, but not a shortcut for credits. I’ll definitely check with specific schools if needed. Thanks again!"
M.
Are there any for music? Will it help me if I try it? I don't have a phone yet but do want to try to leaen whatever I can.
Sama
No problem, M.! Glad the info helped! 😎🤗
Dr H
Always helps Dr. Thank you!
M.
You're such a sweetie for wanting to learn even without a phone! First of all, BIG RESPECT for that mindset. There are actually quite a few music courses online that you can access for FREE or with financial aid if you're just starting out! Singing & Vocal Training
"The Art of Vocal Production" by Berklee College of Music (Coursera) — Teaches you how songs are recorded, how to layer vocals, and how singers make their voices sound 🔥 in songs!
"Singing Made Easy" (Udemy) — This one is perfect for beginners and covers everything from breathing to hitting high notes like a proffesional.
Dr H
Music Production (if you wanna make your own songs!)
"Music Production for Beginners" by Berklee College of Music (Coursera) — This will literally teach you how to make beats and record songs at home!
BandLab (FREE App) — You can literally start making music on your browser without needing a phone or fancy equipment!
Music Theory for Beginners" (Udemy) — It will help you understand how music actually works behind the magic!
"Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics" by Berklee (Coursera)
My Best Suggestion for You is to Start with BandLab to play around with music and then take the "Singing Made Easy" or "Songwriting" course alongside.
Dr H
Almost all of these platforms offer FREE learning without certificates — so you can learn as much as you want without paying a single penny! If you're feeling stuck or need help finding more free options, just reply here, and I'll dig up some secret hidden treasure links for you! 🤗
The whole music world is waiting for you, Sama! Now go break some hearts with those vocals!
Dr H
Dr H always to the rescue sir. I have to say it is admiring to see your responces always.
M.
Flo L.
Professional Advisor
25
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Flo’s Answer
[ 02/26/25 update ]
It appears that some Professional Certification on Coursera can earn college credits. Here is the exact phrasing I saw when taking some courses,
"When you complete this certificate you can earn college credit if you are admitted and enroll in an eligible degree program.¹"
"¹Each university determines the number of pre-approved prior learning credits that may count towards the degree requirements according to institutional policies."
Key takeaway~ It is still advisable to inquire with the particular university to discuss a specific course or professional certification you are considering in taking on Coursera, to determine if it can earn college credits and/or help you get admitted to the university.
-------------//
Hello M.
I think it's best to research the specific educational institutes and universities to clarify if they will accept certification from Coursera. For the most part, I don't believe it is transferable.
Coursera classes and certifications are best used as independent studies for improving your skills and/or acquiring professional certification, which some companies may or may not recognize.
It's a credential you can share on your LinkedIn profile, and it can help when building your professional network there.
It appears that some Professional Certification on Coursera can earn college credits. Here is the exact phrasing I saw when taking some courses,
"When you complete this certificate you can earn college credit if you are admitted and enroll in an eligible degree program.¹"
"¹Each university determines the number of pre-approved prior learning credits that may count towards the degree requirements according to institutional policies."
Key takeaway~ It is still advisable to inquire with the particular university to discuss a specific course or professional certification you are considering in taking on Coursera, to determine if it can earn college credits and/or help you get admitted to the university.
-------------//
Hello M.
I think it's best to research the specific educational institutes and universities to clarify if they will accept certification from Coursera. For the most part, I don't believe it is transferable.
Coursera classes and certifications are best used as independent studies for improving your skills and/or acquiring professional certification, which some companies may or may not recognize.
It's a credential you can share on your LinkedIn profile, and it can help when building your professional network there.
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
479
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi M.,
I don't think educational institutions would give credit for courses taken on Coursera (but you can ask ant university/department you would consider). It's even difficult to get credit for courses taken at a different university unless the syllabi are pretty much identical and the course is deemed "demanding" enough. Coursera courses are not accredited and there is no quality control and invigilation of exams.
Coursera courses can be very useful for self-study to learn about a new topic and/or to obtain additional certificates that are valued in industry. This might be most prevalent in IT-related careers or skills. A certificate can also set you apart from other applicants if you have a university degree but not yet much work experience. Once you have a job, companies typically have their own ideas what kind of courses you should take, either an in-house training program or from an outside provider of their liking.
If you are doing it for yourself or to supplement university program, by all means have a look at Coursera, Udemy, Udacity, FreeCodeCamp, Alison, 365datascience, or any of the other online providers. Some are free, some cost serious money, some are free until you need to buy the certificate. Some offer financial aid or wave the fee. YouTube also has very good courses for free. Some universities, e.g. MIT, have whole courses (minus the credit) online too if you want to get a feel for it before you jump in.
If you want to study online only, some universities offer fully online programs. You can search for those in your desired field.
I hope this helps! All the best!
KP
https://ocw.mit.edu/
I don't think educational institutions would give credit for courses taken on Coursera (but you can ask ant university/department you would consider). It's even difficult to get credit for courses taken at a different university unless the syllabi are pretty much identical and the course is deemed "demanding" enough. Coursera courses are not accredited and there is no quality control and invigilation of exams.
Coursera courses can be very useful for self-study to learn about a new topic and/or to obtain additional certificates that are valued in industry. This might be most prevalent in IT-related careers or skills. A certificate can also set you apart from other applicants if you have a university degree but not yet much work experience. Once you have a job, companies typically have their own ideas what kind of courses you should take, either an in-house training program or from an outside provider of their liking.
If you are doing it for yourself or to supplement university program, by all means have a look at Coursera, Udemy, Udacity, FreeCodeCamp, Alison, 365datascience, or any of the other online providers. Some are free, some cost serious money, some are free until you need to buy the certificate. Some offer financial aid or wave the fee. YouTube also has very good courses for free. Some universities, e.g. MIT, have whole courses (minus the credit) online too if you want to get a feel for it before you jump in.
If you want to study online only, some universities offer fully online programs. You can search for those in your desired field.
I hope this helps! All the best!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1772
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi!
I don't know what courses you are considering. I took a few of them, and found them to be very basic.
You may want to look at MOOC courses - mooc.org They are taught at a higher level. they are free, unless. . . you want the certificate. That would have to be a decision you make based on how you think it will best work for you.
wishing you the best!
Kim
I don't know what courses you are considering. I took a few of them, and found them to be very basic.
You may want to look at MOOC courses - mooc.org They are taught at a higher level. they are free, unless. . . you want the certificate. That would have to be a decision you make based on how you think it will best work for you.
wishing you the best!
Kim
This was super helpful, thank you!
M.
You're welcome! Always stay actively training and learning - the speed with which things change is crazy fast!
Kim Igleheart
"Absolutely! Learning never stops—gotta keep up with the crazy fast changes! Appreciate the advice, Kim!"
M.
Bright Komor
Nurse
261
Answers
Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana
Updated
Bright’s Answer
Coursera courses offer a wide range of learning opportunities, including skill development, career advancement, personal enrichment, and preparation for further studies. These courses can help individuals develop new skills, deepen existing knowledge, and become more competitive in the job market or for further education.
Some courses are designed to help develop skills directly applicable to specific careers, offering specializations or professional certificates recognized by industry employers. Coursera also allows individuals to explore subjects they're passionate about, even if they're not directly related to their career. Some courses can help prepare for university-level coursework or entrance exams, giving students a taste of higher-level study.
Official certificates are typically issued when a course is successfully completed, demonstrating that the student has met the required standards. The value of a Coursera certificate depends on several factors, including the institution offering the course, the relevance of the course to your goals, and the employer or educational institution.
Certificates do not translate directly into academic credit at universities, but completing relevant Coursera courses can demonstrate interest and preparedness for a particular field of study, which can be helpful in university applications. Professional certifications, such as project management or IT, can be valuable for many employers as proof of competency.
Coursera courses are a great supplement to traditional education, not a substitute for a formal degree. In summary, Coursera courses can be beneficial for learning new skills, exploring interests, and advancing one's career.
Some courses are designed to help develop skills directly applicable to specific careers, offering specializations or professional certificates recognized by industry employers. Coursera also allows individuals to explore subjects they're passionate about, even if they're not directly related to their career. Some courses can help prepare for university-level coursework or entrance exams, giving students a taste of higher-level study.
Official certificates are typically issued when a course is successfully completed, demonstrating that the student has met the required standards. The value of a Coursera certificate depends on several factors, including the institution offering the course, the relevance of the course to your goals, and the employer or educational institution.
Certificates do not translate directly into academic credit at universities, but completing relevant Coursera courses can demonstrate interest and preparedness for a particular field of study, which can be helpful in university applications. Professional certifications, such as project management or IT, can be valuable for many employers as proof of competency.
Coursera courses are a great supplement to traditional education, not a substitute for a formal degree. In summary, Coursera courses can be beneficial for learning new skills, exploring interests, and advancing one's career.
Thank you so much!
M.
Michelle M.
Actress
2308
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, M !
Coursera is actually a good website that offers a lot of instruction in many subjects. The certificate you may receive - depending on the subject - may be a Certificate of Attendance or Completion. These do not transfer over to academia as college credit as the courses are not from or officially through an accredited university.
Any instruction that you take either online or on site can be helpful in the respect of gaining knowledge about a subject. I can't speak for all "educational institutes", however, in my best estimation, academia would view these classes as independent study and not grant any credit to it. You can verify this by calling a few colleges that you are interested in and asking each college as all colleges have different guidelines. If you want university credit for a course, you will need to enroll at a University or college.
There are some free classes online but to get the certificates costs a fee. You can look into other websites if it's that you do not want to attend college in person on site. Some of the websites offering classes besides Coursera are EdX, Future Learn, Codecademy, Udacity, Memrise and Udemy. You may also find that there are colleges and Universities at which you can do your entire degree online and receive your degree totally online. Since you are in Saudi Arabia and you didn't mention the subject you want to study, you can do an internet search for colleges that offer a degree online.
My advice is to take any online classes that you're really interested in. If you are planning to work on getting a college degree, enroll in college. If you do not want to get a degree in person on site at a college, do a search for online colleges that offer the subject you're interested in. Always consult with the staff at your Secondary School or the college you have plans to attend.
Best wishes in all you do !
Coursera is actually a good website that offers a lot of instruction in many subjects. The certificate you may receive - depending on the subject - may be a Certificate of Attendance or Completion. These do not transfer over to academia as college credit as the courses are not from or officially through an accredited university.
Any instruction that you take either online or on site can be helpful in the respect of gaining knowledge about a subject. I can't speak for all "educational institutes", however, in my best estimation, academia would view these classes as independent study and not grant any credit to it. You can verify this by calling a few colleges that you are interested in and asking each college as all colleges have different guidelines. If you want university credit for a course, you will need to enroll at a University or college.
There are some free classes online but to get the certificates costs a fee. You can look into other websites if it's that you do not want to attend college in person on site. Some of the websites offering classes besides Coursera are EdX, Future Learn, Codecademy, Udacity, Memrise and Udemy. You may also find that there are colleges and Universities at which you can do your entire degree online and receive your degree totally online. Since you are in Saudi Arabia and you didn't mention the subject you want to study, you can do an internet search for colleges that offer a degree online.
My advice is to take any online classes that you're really interested in. If you are planning to work on getting a college degree, enroll in college. If you do not want to get a degree in person on site at a college, do a search for online colleges that offer the subject you're interested in. Always consult with the staff at your Secondary School or the college you have plans to attend.
Best wishes in all you do !
Michelle, thank you!
M.