That depends on the degree you’re interested in earning. Many of the bachelor’s degrees on Coursera from US-based institutions, such as Georgetown University’s Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, allow students to transfer some previously earned college credits. Some, like the University of North Texas’ Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences and Bachelor of Science in General Business, are degree completion programs and require transfer credits in order to enroll.

Each university determines the number of pre-approved transfer credits that may count towards the degree requirements according to institutional policies. Check with each degree program for more information.

You can also build credit toward an online degree program by first enrolling in university pre-approved courses, specializations, and certificates on Coursera. If you decide to apply and are admitted, the courses you’ve completed may count toward your degree requirements. ‎

Yes, typically a bachelor’s degree is required to pursue a master’s degree, though it doesn’t have to be the same subject or field.

However, some master’s programs on Coursera do not require a bachelor’s degree for admission. These include the University of Colorado Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, Master of Engineering in Engineering Management, and Master of Science in Data Science, which offer performance-based admission.‎

Many degree programs with Coursera’s university partners are designed to be pursued part-time or full-time, depending on your availability.

Undergraduate degrees take between two and six years, depending on the amount of college credit you’re able to transfer (if applicable) and the length of each degree program. For instance, BITS Pilani recommends dedicating 25 hours per week to your courses, while the University of London recommends 28 hours per week.

Graduate degrees can take between one and three years. ‎