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Non-Credit Learning: What Kind of Online Education Opportunities Exist?

Introduction to Online Education

Guide to Online Education > Online Education Basics > Types of Online Education > Not-for-Credit Online Learning

Those who enjoy learning for learning's sake, or who would like to learn more about a hobby or special interest can take classes on line. The cost is nominal or free. The learning is usually self-paced, but some are instructor-led. And there is no pressure.

Take a course through a junior or community college on-line and you will still receive a syllabus, a qualified instructor and learning materials—just like in a for-credit course. The only thing you won't get are back-to-school jitters. Without the pressure of cramming for exams or scrambling to write lengthy term papers, you are free to study and enjoy the content. Web design, business writing, and grant writing are classes that offer students the opportunity to enhance their skills in a non-competitive environment.

Special courses with content geared toward to mature students, retirees, and lifelong learners are often available as well. Courses and tutorials covering a wide range of topics from etiquette to financing a car are available at http://www.learnthat.com/.

In order to stay close to customers and generate loyalty, some retailers are offering courses and reading groups, too. Barnes & Noble University is offers dozens of courses in Liberal Arts and Life Improvement categories ranging from "Backyard Astronomy" to "Understanding Islam Today." Content ranges from the practical "Golf Basics" to the cerebral "The Brain and How it Works." Browse the many offerings at http://university.barnesandnoble.com/.

Learn the basics of investing with tutorials from Bloomberg University, an offering from the venerable financial markets media content provider. Visit http://www.bloomberg.com/invest/univ/index.html.

The United States Small Business Administration offers free online courses provided by Trump University, Maine SBDC, South-West Texas SBDC, and the PA SBDC at Kutztown University. Students can enroll in courses ranging from "Developing a Successful Business Plan" to "How to Find Start-up Funding." To view the full course catalog, visit http://www.sba.gov/training/courses.html.

As with other areas of distance learning, course content for non-credit classes is being developed and brought to consumers in record time. Check back often to see if new providers have been added!

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