Are Coursera Courses Good For College Applications?

Coursera Inc. is a United States-based E-learning industry. It is an enormous open online course provider. It was founded in 2012 by computer science professors, Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller of Stanford University. Coursera provides online courses, certifications, and degrees in a wide variety of courses, by working with universities and other organizations. As of 2021, it is estimated that more than 4000 courses are offered from 150 universities worldwide. However one often questions are Coursera courses good for college applications?

Are Coursera courses good for college applications?

Are Coursera courses good for college applications?

There are many reasons why Coursera is one of the best platforms for E-learning. Courses provided by Coursera are good for college applications. Not only that, it helps people to find a job too. The reasons why Coursera courses are good for college applications, their benefits, advantages, and their strategies are given below.

Coursera Certificates

Coursera certificates are worth it. Certificates they provide have a better value when applying for a job and it helps to advance students in their career. The courses offered by Coursera are provided in partnership with the universities globally, which tops the list. Coursera’s higher-level programs, specializations, and degrees have a lot more value than anyone can expect. Coursera helps to improve skills and to advance in a specialized zone. It is safe to invest money to earn a Coursera certificate that has value when finding a job or to apply for colleges. Courses are not free though. Students have to buy a course to earn a certificate. If a proper certificate is not necessary, then do the course for free without a certificate. This can save money and also helps students to learn new extra things.

Coursera certificates come with a Coursera label stamped with the university seal from where students complete the course. The certificates mainly have the following:-

  1. Course or Specialization name
  2. Signature from the Instructor
  3. Stamp of the partnered university
  4. URL to validate and check the certificate.
  5. A confirmation for the verification of the identity of the learner.

Are Coursera Certificates worth the money?

Something can be worth it only if the advantages outweigh the money that is paid. Coursera certificates are worth it when it helps people with the following.

  1. Finding a new job
  2. and achieving promotion.
  3. sharing and showcasing to the peer group

Coursera Certificates help to add extra knowledge to a certain field and it does not help in building a career directly. Its courses are worth trying because it helps to improve skills and knowledge that can benefit people in their journey as a student and employee. 

Advantages of Coursera 

  1. Learn from Top Institutes

Getting a high-quality education from a top institute is the dream of everyone who wishes to get a quality job. If people want to pursue a course from Top universities such as Columbia, Stanford, Yale, etc. This can be fulfilled more differently through Coursera.

  1. Get a Certificate and Degree at an affordable range

Coursera mainly offers five types of courses or certificates at an affordable range.

  1. Online Courses

Single courses are available on Coursera on various topics that have industry demands. People can find topics on technical subjects like Python, AI, ML, cloud computing, finance, economics, probability, etc. This is available at 39 USD.

  1. Specializations

A package of courses is offered that provides deep knowledge about a particular subject. This is available for 39 USD per month.

  1. Professional certificates 

Professional certificate courses are offered by the top companies and universities. This is to give exposure to current technologies. These certificates are career-oriented. This is available at 39 USD.

  1. MasterTrack certificates

This gives topics that are taken from the Master’s programs. It helps to find a way to a students’ masters. This is available at USD 2,000. It helps you to earn a high-quality credential at lower prices.

  1. Degree programs

Regular Bachelor’s or Master’s programs can be pursued online through Coursera. This is available at USD 15,000. 

  1. Get a Certificate or Degree from a Top Institute

Once students complete a course, certificates are provided. If a Specialization is done, Coursera will issue certificates with specialization.

Why is Coursera different?

Coursera offers excellent videos and reading material with many other features. Most eLearning platforms provide video lectures and reading material, but these are not enough. Tasks should be completed within a time limit.

  1. Forums

Students must use an online forum to post their queries. And interact with the group. It helps students to learn from different perspectives. 

  1. Quizzes

Quizzes come along with each course. It helps to revise the learned content and check the level of knowledge.

  1. Assignments 

Students will have to submit assignments to earn certificates. All courses have practical assignments. The main motive of the assignment is to learn more than learning by doing.

  1. Seek help from Instructors.

Students can interact with Instructors for higher-level courses for clearing doubts and raising queries.

  1. Showcase Credentials on LinkedIn

After earning a certificate or degree, post the certificate on students’ LinkedIn profiles. Recruiters will be able to see the pdf certificate by clicking on the course title from the profile. Students can share their certificates by using a URL that is provided by Coursera.

  1. Coursera Gets students Job Ready

Coursera gets its students job-ready. Specializations and professional certificates are completely career-oriented. They are designed to provide deep knowledge of a topic that has higher demand in the industry.

Conclusion

Coursera courses are better for college applications. Coursera does not give assurance to land its students a job, but it offers several benefits that can help them in their careers. Working professionals and students can benefit from Coursera courses by adding skills from top universities worldwide. Coursera certificates are valuable. A certificate from Coursera will help people in getting admission to a college.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Are Coursera courses legit?

Coursera courses are legit. Courses provided by Coursera are from the premier institutes only. 

  1. Which all universities do Coursera have a partnership with? 

Coursera has a partnership with the United States and leading non-US universities UC Davis, Penn State, University of London, University of Toronto, INSEAD, etc. It has also partnered with many top companies like AWS, PWS, BCG, and Honeywell that offer professional certificates.