What Is Coursera? A Guide to Courses, Certificates, and Degrees

If you’ve searched for online courses or professional credentials, you’ve probably come across Coursera. But what exactly is it, and how is it different from an online college or university?

Coursera is an online learning platform that offers courses, certificates, and degree programs from universities and companies. Its offerings range from individual courses and career-focused professional certificates to university-issued certificates and online bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

The type of learning experience and credential you receive depends on the specific program you choose.

What Can You Learn on Coursera?

Coursera offers learning opportunities across many subject areas, including business, computer science, data science, information technology, health, and other fields.

You can choose between different types of learning depending on your goal. For example, you might take an individual course to learn about a particular topic, complete a professional certificate to develop skills for a specific career area, or enroll in a university degree program.

What Is a Coursera Course?

A Coursera course is an individual online learning experience focused on a particular subject or set of skills.

Courses can form part of larger programs, including specializations and degree pathways. The specific format, duration, assignments, and credential available vary by course.

This can make an individual course useful when you want to learn about a particular topic without committing to a full degree program.

What Is a Coursera Professional Certificate?

A professional certificate is a career-focused program designed to help learners develop skills for a particular job or professional area.

Coursera offers professional certificates from companies and organizations including Google, Microsoft, IBM, and other industry and academic partners. Programs can include hands-on projects designed to help learners apply what they study.

A professional certificate is different from a bachelor’s or master’s degree. If you need an academic degree for your educational or professional goals, you should look specifically at degree programs rather than assuming a certificate is equivalent to a degree.

Does Coursera Offer University Certificates?

Yes. Coursera also offers university-issued certificate programs.

These programs are offered by universities, and the certificate is issued by the university rather than Coursera. Some university certificate programs may also provide a pathway toward a degree, depending on the specific program.

This is why it is important to check the exact credential attached to any program you are considering.

Does Coursera Offer Degrees?

Yes.

Coursera offers online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs from universities. The degree is awarded by the university offering the program, not by Coursera. Coursera’s current degree catalog includes programs from universities such as the University of London, Georgetown University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Colorado Boulder, and others.

The requirements, tuition, admissions process, transfer-credit policies, and degree requirements are determined by the individual university and program.

Is Coursera an Online College?

No. Coursera is an online learning platform, not an online college or university.

This distinction matters.

When you take a course or certificate on Coursera, the organization offering that particular program determines the credential you receive. When you enroll in a degree program listed on Coursera, the partner university awards the degree.

So if your goal is to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree, don’t simply ask whether the program is “on Coursera.” Find out which university offers and awards the degree.

Is Coursera Accredited?

Coursera itself is not a university that accredits its own degree programs. Its platform hosts programs from universities and other organizations.

For degree programs, Coursera describes its offerings as degrees from accredited universities. The accreditation belongs to the institution offering the degree, so students should check the accreditation of the specific university and program they are considering.

Similarly, a professional certificate should not be treated as an accredited college degree simply because it is available through Coursera.

How Much Does Coursera Cost?

There is no single price for Coursera.

The cost depends on the course, certificate, or degree program. Professional certificates, for example, have their own pricing structures, while university degrees have tuition and fees determined by the university offering the program.

Some learning experiences may also allow learners to begin without paying for full access, depending on the program. Students should check the current pricing and payment terms for the specific course or program they are considering.

How Is Coursera Different From an Online University?

The simplest distinction is platform versus institution.

An online university is an institution that provides academic programs and awards its own degrees. Coursera provides a platform through which learners can access education from multiple universities, companies, and other organizations.

For example, University of the People is a university that offers its own online degree programs, while Coursera hosts educational offerings from many different providers.

This means the two can be relevant to different educational goals. Someone looking for a full bachelor’s degree might compare universities such as UoPeople with the degree programs available through Coursera. Someone looking to develop a specific skill may instead choose an individual course or Professional Certificate on Coursera.

What Should You Check Before Enrolling in a Coursera Program?

Because Coursera offers different types of learning experiences, start by identifying what you actually want to earn.

Before enrolling, check:

• What type of credential will I receive?
• Who issues the credential?
• If it is a degree, which university awards it?
• Is the university accredited?
• What are the admission requirements?
• What is the total cost?
• How long is the program expected to take?
• Will previously earned credits count toward the program, if applicable?
• Does the credential fit my academic or career goals?

These questions are particularly important when comparing a short course or certificate with a formal degree. They are different educational products designed for different purposes.

Is Coursera Worth It?

That depends on what you want to accomplish.

Coursera can be useful for learners who want to explore a subject, develop specific skills, earn a professional or university-issued certificate, or pursue a university degree online.

The key is to choose the type of program that matches your goal. If you need a bachelor’s degree, look at the degree itself and the university awarding it. If you want to develop a specific skill, an individual course or Professional Certificate may be more appropriate.

Summing Up

Coursera is an online learning platform that provides access to courses, Professional certificates, university-issued certificates, and online degree programs from universities and other organizations.

It is not a university itself. The organization offering a particular program determines its content, requirements, and—in the case of university credentials—the credential awarded.

So before choosing a Coursera program, look beyond the platform. Understand what you are studying, what credential you will receive, who awards it, and whether it matches what you want to achieve.