What Is Coursera?

Coursera is an online learning platform featuring many different subjects across an array of learning formats, such as courses, Specializations, Professional Certificates, degrees, and tutorials. Over 300 leading universities and companies provide instruction on Coursera, including Stanford, Duke, Illinois, University of Colorado Boulder, Google, IBM, Microsoft, and Meta.

Whether you're looking to develop a new skill, strengthen an existing one, further your learning with a formal credential like a Professional Certificate or degree, or just learn something for fun, Coursera has many options to choose from.

How does Coursera work?

Much of the learning you'll encounter on Coursera takes place asynchronously, meaning you can access course content and materials at your own pace. That way, you can build your learning into your schedule and around your other responsibilities.

Coursera prioritizes top-quality learning through evidence-based online teaching and learning strategies. The average rating across courses on the Coursera platform is 4.7 out of 5 stars, with 73 percent of learners who complete courses reporting positive career-related outcomes. You can learn more about our methods and data in our research analysis, Drivers of Quality in Online Learning.

What is Coursera Plus?

Build job-ready skills with a Coursera Plus subscription

Start 7-day free trial

• Get access to 7,000+ learning programs from world-class universities and companies, including Google, Yale, Salesforce, and more
• Try different courses and find your best fit at no additional cost
• Earn certificates for learning programs you complete
• A subscription price of $59/month, cancel anytime

Start 7-day free trial

Types of learning on Coursera

From tech, engineering, and business, to the arts, humanities, and social sciences, there are all kinds of subjects to learn on Coursera. Let's review the different types of learning you'll find on the platform.

What is a Coursera certificate?

Coursera certificates are credentials that prove you’ve successfully completed a course or program. They are secure URLs stored on the Accomplishments page of your Coursera account. You can share them online, post them to your LinkedIn, or download them as a PDF file to print. Each Coursera certificate includes the course name, instructor’s signature, and the logo of any affiliated partner institution. Confirmation that Coursera has verified your identity will also be included alongside a verification URL you can share with employers or anyone who may want to check the authenticity of your certificate. 

What is a Professional Certificate on Coursera?

Professional Certificates are designed to focus on job-ready skills, making them an excellent choice for those starting a new career or advancing in their current one. They are training programs led by industry leaders such as Google, IBM, Meta, Salesforce, Microsoft, and CVS. Upon completion of the program, you’ll earn a Professional Certificate from the offering institution confirming your successful completion of the training, which you can feature on your resume. You can browse Professional Certificate programs here.

What is a Coursera Specialization?

Similar to Professional Certificates, Specializations are course series centered around helping you master specific subject matter. Specializations include a Capstone project or a hands-on assignment applying the skills you learned throughout the Specialization. (Not all Capstone Projects are named Capstone.) Depending on the subject, they may be research papers, software applications, or case studies that you can add to your portfolio. In some cases, you may need to enroll in your Capstone separately after completing all of the other courses in the Specialization. Upon completing a Specialization, you’ll earn a certificate recognizing your completion. You’ll also earn a Coursera certificate for each course you complete in the Specialization.

Can I earn a degree on Coursera?

Yes! Coursera partners with leading universities to host fully online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in business, data science, public health, computer science, engineering, social science, and more. With tuition well below most on-campus degree programs, online degrees on Coursera are designed to allow students to invest in their education and increase their earning potential post-graduation. Upon graduation, you’ll earn a diploma from the university you studied with and become a part of that institution’s alumni network.

Certain degree programs offered through Coursera also accept prior learning credit, which may help you save time and money on your degree. By completing eligible Professional Certificates on Coursera, you can apply to have that learning recognized for academic credit in select degree programs, reducing the time it takes to finish your degree and the amount it costs. Learn more about the financial resources available to fund your degree. 

What is a Guided Project on Coursera?

Guided Projects are short, targeted training sessions similar to tutorials. They are designed to help you strengthen specific skills by completing a hands-on task. Unlike tutorials, Guided Projects include step-by-step guidance from expert-level instructors. 

Can you audit a course on Coursera?

Coursera strives to provide online learning opportunities suitable for any budget. Many of our courses are available to try for free. Auditing a course grants access to class instruction and most course materials. If you want to obtain assessments of your work or earn a certificate to verify completion, you can upgrade to a paid version anytime.

How to choose a learning path on Coursera

When you’re ready to begin planning your learning path on Coursera, start by clearly defining your larger goals. These could be career goals, such as pivoting careers or pursuing a promotion, or they can be personal goals. Many of our learners are pursuing one or more of the following aspirations.

Start your career

Are you looking to start a new career that aligns with your interests, fulfills you, and provides growth opportunities? Would you prefer to focus your studies on in-demand skills to prepare for the job market? Does your desired outcome include a certificate or micro-credential to enhance your resume? If so, consider the following options:

Coursera has helped me expand my knowledge through several important courses that are extremely impactful and helpful for my career. 

-Christin B.

Switch your career

Pivoting to a new career path? Whether you’re switching from a related role or building upon transferable skills from a job in a different industry, you have several different learning paths to choose from:

After my supervisor saw my coursework, she was confident that I was the right person for the job. Thanks to the Google IT Support Professional Certificate, my family gets to see me finally achieve my dream of being in IT.

-Tristen A.

Advance your career

Is your primary goal to strengthen your expertise and open new career doors? Are you considering Coursera to show your employer that you’re ready for a promotion? Check out the recommended career advancement opportunities below:

For the first time, finishing my degree seemed realistic. It was online with a flexible schedule. It felt like this program was made for my situation. 

-Ana S.

Become a lifelong learner

If you’re content in your career but still motivated to learn by curiosity or pleasure, you’re a lifelong learner. Welcome to the club! Here are a few ways you can stay in the loop:

• Browse Articles on Coursera to gain industry knowledge and guidance throughout major career changes. For example, you can learn about today’s most impactful generative AI models or read a step-by-step walkthrough of how to write an effective cover letter.

• Follow Career Chat, Coursera’s weekly newsletter on LinkedIn. We answer frequently asked career questions, such as how to discuss strengths and weaknesses in a job interview. 

• Audit classes. Many Coursera courses are available online for free. If you don’t need to earn credentials or have your work assessed, auditing classes can be a great way to explore a new subject without the pressure of grading. Browse free courses here.

Upskill your team

Not alone on this learning journey? Here are a few ways you can help more people learn without limits:

We love that the Coursera platform allows us to provide a breadth of high-quality programs and a learning experience that our employees can self-select into to drive their own personal development.

-Laurent R., L’Oreal

Not sure where to focus your studies yet?

No problem! Try browsing Coursera Articles to identify subjects or career paths that motivate you. If you already have an area of expertise in mind, consider exploring articles related to your desired field:

• Information technology (IT)

• Data

• Business

• Computer science and engineering

• Health

For more general guidance about jobs or academics, check out the Career Advice and Degrees hubs.

Take the next step today with Coursera

Whether you're getting job-ready for an entry-level role, preparing to switch jobs, or advancing your career with a certificate or degree, you can do so with access to world-class universities and leading institutions on Coursera. Browse the Coursera catalog or take advantage of unlimited learning with Coursera Plus, which gives you access to over 7,000 courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs from top companies and universities for one monthly price.

Build job-ready skills with a Coursera Plus subscription

Start 7-day free trial

• Get access to 7,000+ learning programs from world-class universities and companies, including Google, Yale, Salesforce, and more
• Try different courses and find your best fit at no additional cost
• Earn certificates for learning programs you complete
• A subscription price of $59/month, cancel anytime

Start 7-day free trial

Looking to upskill your team? Prepare your employees for Generative AI and other tech accelerations with job-aligned skills, data-driven insights, and trusted content and credentials.

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