15 Best Free Harvard Online Courses with Certification

Ever dreamed of attending Harvard University but couldn’t afford the tuition? Well, now you can! With Harvard Online Courses for free, you can get a world-class education from the comfort of your home.

That’s right, free. Harvard offers a wide variety of free online courses taught by some of the best professors in the world. In these courses, you’ll learn everything from computer science to literature and public health. And you’ll even get a certificate of completion for your hard work.

But be warned; these courses are not easy. They’re designed to challenge you and help you grow as a learner. But if you’re up for the challenge, you’ll be rewarded with a wealth of knowledge and experience that will set you apart from the competition. Keep reading to find out about the free courses.

Is It Worth It to Take a Free Harvard Online Course?

Whether it is worth taking a free Harvard online course depends on your individual goals and needs. Here are some factors to consider:

• Your interest in the subject matter: If you are genuinely interested in the course, you are more likely to find it valuable and worthwhile. 

• Your learning style: Some people prefer to learn in a traditional classroom setting, while others prefer the flexibility of online learning. If you are self-motivated and disciplined, you can be successful in an online course. 

• Your career goals: If you want to advance, taking a online course can be a great way to learn new skills and knowledge. 

• The certificate cost: Some Harvard online courses offer a verified certificate for a small fee. It may be worth the investment if you plan to use the certificate to advance your career.

What are the Requirements for Taking a Free Harvard Online Course With a Certificate?

The requirements for taking a free Harvard online course with a certificate vary depending on the course. However, there are some general requirements that all students must meet.

• Be at least 16 years old.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Be able to read and write English fluently.
• Have access to a computer with an internet connection.
• Be able to commit to completing the course requirements.

Check out these 11 best Harvard free online courses- 11 Harvard Free Online Courses for You.

How Long Does It Take to Finish a Free Harvard Online Course?

The time it takes to finish a free Harvard online course depends on the course itself. Some courses are shorter, lasting only a few weeks, while others can take several months. The average Harvard online course takes about ten weeks to finish.

Of course, the amount of time it takes you to finish a free Harvard online course will also depend on your own pace of learning and how much time you can commit to the course each week. If you can spend several hours per week on the course, you’ll likely be able to finish it faster. But it may take you longer if you can only spend a few hours per week.

The good news is that you don’t have to finish a free Harvard online course in a certain amount of time. You can take as long as you need to learn the material and complete the assignments. 

What are the Best Platforms That Offer the Best Free Harvard Online Courses in 2024

Udemy, edX, Coursera, and Alison are the best platforms offering free Harvard online courses in 2024. Each platform has its strengths and weaknesses, so choosing the one that is right for you is important.

Udemy is a popular platform that offers various courses, including many from Harvard professors. Udemy courses are typically self-paced and affordable, making them a great option for people who want to learn independently.

edX is a non-profit organization that partners with top universities, including Harvard, to offer online courses. edX courses are typically more rigorous than Udemy courses, often including graded assignments and peer review.

Coursera is another non-profit organization that partners with top universities, including Harvard, to offer online courses. Coursera courses are similar to edX courses in terms of quality and rigor. 

Alison is a free online learning platform that offers a variety of courses, including some from Harvard. Alison’s courses are self-paced and do not offer graded assignments or peer review.

Check out these ten best online courses at Oxford University- Top 10 Best Online Courses at Oxford University.

Which Universities Provide Best Free Harvard Online Courses With Certification?

Harvard University is the only one offering free Harvard Online Courses with certification. It offers a variety of free online courses with certification through its online learning platform, edX. 

Some free courses are also offered on Coursera, Udemy, and Alison. These courses are taught by Harvard faculty and cover various subjects, from business to computer science to humanities.

15 Best Free Harvard Online Courses with Certification in 2024

These courses selected in this section are considered the best because world-renowned experts teach them; they are rigorous and challenging, self-paced, free, and offer certificates of completion. They include:

1. CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science by David Malan

• Platform: edX
• Institution: Harvard University 
• Level: Beginner 
• Time: 10 weeks, 10-12 hours per week
• Language: English 
• Subtitles: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Arabic

This beginner-level course teaches you computer science fundamentals, including problem-solving, data structures, algorithms, and programming. It is one of the most popular online courses in the world, and David Malan, a renowned computer science professor at Harvard University, teaches it.

Online Free Harvard Course to Take

• Introduction to computer science
• Problem-solving
• Abstraction
• Algorithms
• Data structures
• Encapsulation
• Resource management
• Security
• Software engineering
• Web development
• Programming languages: C, Python, SQL, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML

Who is This Free Harvard Online Course For?

This course is for anyone wanting to learn computer science and programming basics. It is a great starting point for students interested in majoring in computer science and anyone who wants to learn more about how computers work.

What You’ll Learn From This Free Harvard Online Course

• How to think algorithmically and solve problems efficiently
• The fundamentals of computer science, such as abstraction, algorithms, data structures, and encapsulation
• How to program in C, Python, SQL, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML
• How to build web applications
• The basics of security and software engineering

Enrol Here

2. Machine Learning A-Z™: AI, Python & R + ChatGPT Bonus

• Platform: Udemy 
• Institution: Harvard University 
• Level: Beginner 
• Time: 42 hours
• Language: English 
• Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Italian

Machine Learning A-Z™: AI, Python & R + ChatGPT Bonus 2024 is an online course that teaches you the basics of machine learning using Python and R. The course is divided into ten parts, covering data preprocessing, regression, classification, clustering, association rule learning, reinforcement learning, natural language processing, deep learning, dimensionality reduction, and model selection & boosting.

Online Free Harvard Course to Take

• Data Preprocessing
• Regression
• Classification
• Clustering
• Association rule learning
• Reinforcement learning
• Natural language processing
• Deep learning
• Dimensionality reduction
• Model selection & boosting

Who is This Free Harvard Online Course For?

This online course is for anyone who wants to learn the basics of machine learning. The course is beginner-friendly, so no prior experience with machine learning is required.

What You’ll Learn From This Free Harvard Online Course

• Learn Python and R Machine Learning.
• Have a strong understanding of numerous Machine Learning models.
• Make precise projections
• Create a powerful analysis
• Create strong Machine Learning models.
• Create significant added value for your company.
• Use Machine Learning for your benefit.
• Handle specialized subjects such as Reinforcement Learning, NLP, and Deep Learning.

Enrol Here 

3. Introduction to Data Science with Python by Jose Portilla

• Platform: Udemy 
• Institution: Harvard University 
• Level: Intermediate 
• Time: 12 hours
• Language: English 
• Subtitles: English 

This beginner-level course teaches you the basics of data science using Python. You will learn about data wrangling, data visualization, and machine learning and work on projects using real-world datasets.

Online Free Harvard Course to Take

• Data wrangling
• Data visualization
• Machine learning
• Natural language processing
• Deep learning

Who is This Free Harvard Online Course For?

The course is designed for students with some programming experience and who want to learn Python for data science. It is also a good refresher for experienced data scientists who want to learn about the latest trends in the field.

What You’ll Learn From This Free Harvard Online Course

• How to use Python to import, clean, and manipulate data
• How to create data visualizations that communicate insights
• How to build machine learning models to predict outcomes
• How to apply natural language processing to extract meaning from text
• How to use deep learning to solve complex problems

Enrol Here 

4. Introduction to Digital Humanities by Stephen Ramsay

• Platform: Udemy 
• Institution: Harvard University 
• Level: Intermediate 
• Time: 12 hours 
• Language: English 
• Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean

This intermediate-level course introduces you to the field of digital humanities. You will learn about using computational methods to study humanities texts and artifacts and work on projects using tools like Python, R, and Voyant Tools.

Online Free Harvard Course to Take

• What is digital humanities?
• The history of digital humanities
• Methods and tools of digital humanities
• Case studies in digital humanities
• The future of digital humanities

Who is This Free Harvard Online Course For?

This course is for anyone interested in learning about digital humanities. No prior experience is required.

What You’ll Learn From This Free Harvard Online Course

• You will learn the basics of digital humanities, including its history, methods, and tools.
• You will gain exposure to a variety of case studies in digital humanities.
• You will develop your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• You will be able to apply digital humanities methods to your research.

Enrol Here 

5. Prescription Drug Regulation, Cost, and Access: Current Controversies in Context

• Platform: edX
• Institution: Harvard University 
• Level: Advanced 
• Time: 10 weeks 
• Language: English 
• Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.

This course covers various topics related to prescription drug regulation, cost, and access.

The course is designed to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of the major issues affecting the prescription drug market in the United States. 

It is taught by Professor Aaron Kesselheim, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a faculty member at Harvard’s Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics.

Online Free Harvard Course to Take

• The role of the FDA in regulating prescription drugs
• The process of drug discovery, development, and approval
• The cost of prescription drugs
• The safety of prescription drugs
• Current controversies in prescription drug regulation
• The marketing of prescription drugs

Who is This Free Harvard Online Course For?

It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about prescription drugs, from patients and healthcare professionals to policymakers and the general public.

What You’ll Learn From This Free Harvard Online Course

• The history and role of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in regulating prescription drugs
• The process of drug discovery, development, and approval
• The factors that affect the cost of prescription drugs
• The use of real-world data to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs
• The current controversies surrounding prescription drug regulation, such as the use of drug promotion to influence prescribing behavior and the availability of affordable generic drugs.

Enrol Here 

6. Innovating in Health Care

• Platform: edX
• Institution: Harvard University 
• Level: Beginner 
• Time: 8 weeks
• Language: English 
• Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Chinese, and Portuguese

The course Innovating in Health Care offered on edX by Harvard University is designed to help learners understand how to create successful global business ventures in health care. A team of experienced healthcare leaders and entrepreneurs teaches it.

The course is offered in two formats: an open, online experience and a limited, team-based deep dive experience. The open, online experience is free.

Online Free Harvard Course to Take

• The challenges and opportunities in the global healthcare market
• The six factors that critically shape new healthcare ventures: are structure, financing, regulations, consumers, accountability, technology, and public policy
• The impact of these factors on business models for three different kinds of innovations: consumer-focused, technology-driven, and integrations which create scale
• How to evaluate opportunities and apply elements of successful business models for different kinds of healthcare innovations.

Who is This Free Harvard Online Course For?

The course is intended for anyone interested in learning how to innovate in health care. This includes entrepreneurs, business leaders, policymakers, and healthcare professionals.

What You’ll Learn From This Free Harvard Online Course

• Understand the six factors that critically shape new healthcare ventures
• Evaluate opportunities for innovation in healthcare
• Apply elements of successful business models to different kinds of healthcare innovations
• Develop a plan for innovating in healthcare

Enrol Here 

7. We the People: Civic Engagement in a Constitutional Democracy

• Platform: edX
• Institution: Harvard University 
• Level: Intermediate 
• Time: 12 weeks 
• Language: English 
• Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Arabic 

This is a course offered by Harvard University through edX. The course is designed to give learners a foundational knowledge of American constitutional democracy and to help them understand how to encourage others to explore their civic paths while, in parallel, crafting their civic voice and identity. 

The course is taught by Danielle Allen, a professor of government at Harvard University and the author of several books on democracy and civic engagement. 

Online Free Harvard Course to Take

• The history of American constitutional democracy
• The rights and responsibilities of citizens
• The philosophical foundations of democracy
• The levers of change in a democracy
• How to engage in civic life

Who is This Free Harvard Online Course For?

We the People: Civic Engagement in a Constitutional Democracy is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about American democracy and how to make a difference in their community. 

What You’ll Learn From This Free Harvard Online Course

• The basic principles of the American government
• The rights and responsibilities of citizens
• How to participate in civic life
• How to make a difference in your community
• How to think critically about the challenges facing American democracy

Enrol Here 

8. CS50’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python

• Platform: edX
• Institution: Harvard University 
• Level: Beginner 
• Time: 10 weeks 
• Language: English 
• Subtitles: Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean

CS50’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python is a free online course offered by Harvard University and edX. David Malan, a professor at Harvard University, teaches the course.

Students learn to implement AI algorithms in Python and apply them to real-world problems.

The course also includes a number of hands-on projects where students get to apply the concepts they have learned.

Online Free Harvard Course to Take

• Search algorithms
• Classification
• Optimization
• Reinforcement learning
• Neural networks
• Natural language processing

Who is This Free Harvard Online Course For?

CS50’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python is a great course for students who want to learn about artificial intelligence and how to implement it in Python.

What You’ll Learn From This Free Harvard Online Course

• The basics of artificial intelligence, including search, reasoning, planning, machine learning, and natural language processing
• How to use Python to implement AI algorithms
• How to apply AI to solve real-world problems
• The Ethical Implications of AI

Enrol Here 

9. The Science of Well-Being

• Platform: Coursera 
• Institution: Harvard University 
• Level: Beginner 
• Time: 10 weeks, 19 hours total
• Language: English 
• Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Arabic 

The Science of Well-Being course explores the latest scientific research on happiness and well-being. Laurie Santos, a professor of psychology at Yale University, teaches it.

The course is designed to help you understand what makes you happy and how to improve your well-being. It is self-paced and free to audit, but you can pay a fee for a verified certificate of completion. 

Online Free Harvard Course to Take

• The science of happiness
• The benefits of positive emotions
• How to cope with stress and anxiety
• The importance of relationships
• The power of gratitude
• How to set and achieve goals
• How to live a meaningful life

Who is This Free Harvard Online Course For?

This course is for anyone who wants to learn more about how to be happier and more fulfilled. It is also a valuable resource for anyone interested in a psychology, counseling, or social work career.

What You’ll Learn From This Free Harvard Online Course

• The myths about happiness and how to overcome them
• The research-backed practices that can boost your happiness
• How to improve your relationships, reduce stress, and live a more meaningful life
• How to set and achieve goals that matter to you
• How to use mindfulness and other techniques to improve your mental well-being

Enrol Here 

10. The Psychology of Learning

• Platform: Coursera
• Institution: Harvard University 
• Level: Beginner 
• Time: 10 hours
• Language: English 
• Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean 

The Psychology of Learning is a course that explores the science of learning. Steven Pinker, a professor of psychology at Harvard University, teaches it.

The course covers topics such as memory, attention, problem-solving, and creativity. It is self-paced and free to audit, but you can pay a fee for a verified certificate of completion. 

Online Free Harvard Course to Take

• Introduction to learning
• Classical conditioning
• Operant conditioning
• Social learning
• Memory
• Problem-solving
• Decision making
• Motivation
• Emotion

Who is This Free Harvard Online Course For?

The Psychology of Learning online course is for anyone interested in learning more about how the mind works and how people learn. It is a valuable resource for students, teachers, parents, and anyone who wants to improve their understanding of learning.

What You’ll Learn From This Free Harvard Online Course

• The basic principles of learning are classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning.
• How memory works and how it can be improved.
• How problem-solving and decision-making work.
• The role of motivation and emotion in learning.
• How to apply the principles of learning to your own life.

Enrol Here 

11. The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

• Platform: Coursera 
• Institution: Harvard University 
• Level: Beginner to Advanced 
• Time: 4 weeks, 6-8 hours per week
• Language: English 
• Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Arabic 

The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence is a course that explores the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. John Danaher, a professor of philosophy at the University of Oxford, teaches it.

The course covers topics such as bias in AI, the use of AI in warfare, and the future of work. It is self-paced and free to audit, but you can pay a fee for a verified certificate of completion.

Online Free Harvard Course to Take

• The foundations of AI ethics
• The ethical challenges of AI in different domains, such as healthcare, criminal justice, and employment
• The role of stakeholders in ensuring the ethical development and use of AI
• Methods for analyzing and mitigating the ethical risks of AI

Who is This Free Harvard Online Course For?

The course is intended for anyone interested in the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. This includes students, professionals, and policymakers.

What You’ll Learn From This Free Harvard Online Course

• Identify and analyze the ethical challenges of AI
• Apply ethical frameworks to AI problems
• Develop and advocate for ethical AI policies
• Engage in ethical AI research and practice

Enrol Here 

12. Introduction to Data Science

• Platform: Coursera 
• Institution: Harvard University 
• Level: Beginner 
• Time: 10 weeks 
• Language: English 
• Subtitles: Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Arabic.

Introduction to Data Science is a course that teaches you the basics of data science, including data collection, cleaning, analysis, and visualization.

Rafael Irizarry, a professor of biostatistics at Harvard University, teaches it. The course is self-paced and free to audit, but you can pay a fee to receive a verified certificate of completion.

Online Free Harvard Course to Take

• What is data science?
• The different types of data
• Data collection and cleaning
• Data analysis and visualization
• Machine learning
• Statistical modeling
• Ethics in data science

Who is This Free Harvard Online Course For?

This course is for anyone who wants to learn about data science. It is a good starting point for students, professionals, and anyone interested in using data to solve problems.

What You’ll Learn From This Free Harvard Online Course

• Define data science and explain its importance
• Apply the fundamental concepts of data science to real-world problems
• Use data science tools and techniques to collect, clean, analyze, and visualize data
• Communicate the results of your data analysis

Enrol Here 

13. Introduction to Psychology

• Platform: Alison 
• Institution: Harvard University 
• Level: Beginner 
• Time: Self-paced 
• Language: English 
• Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Arabic

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of psychology. You will learn about the history of psychology, the major schools of thought, and the most important research findings. You will also gain insights into human behavior and mental processes.

Online Free Harvard Course to Take

• The history of psychology
• The major perspectives in psychology
• The biological bases of behavior
• Sensation and perception
• Learning and memory
• Cognition
• Motivation and emotion
• Personality
• Abnormal psychology
• Social psychology

Who is This Free Harvard Online Course For?

The course is designed for anyone who wants to learn more about psychology, regardless of their background or prior knowledge. It is a great introduction to the field and can help you decide if you want to pursue further studies in psychology.

What You’ll Learn From This Free Harvard Online Course

• The different ways to study psychology
• The major theories of psychology
• The factors that influence human behavior
• How to apply psychology to your own life
• How to conduct psychological research

Enrol Here 

14. Introduction to Sociology

• Platform: Alison 
• Institution: Harvard University 
• Level: Beginner 
• Time: 2 hours 
• Language: English 
• Subtitles: French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of sociology. You will learn about the major social theories, the most important research findings, and how sociologists study society. You will also gain insights into the social forces that shape our lives.

Online Free Harvard Course to Take

• The definition of sociology
• The history of sociology
• The sociological perspective
• Social institutions
• Social groups and organizations
• Socialization
• Deviance and social control
• Social stratification
• Social change
• Social movements

Who is This Free Harvard Online Course For?

It is designed for anyone who wants to learn about the field of sociology, regardless of their prior knowledge or experience.

What You’ll Learn From This Free Harvard Online Course

• How to think sociologically
• The different social institutions in society
• How social groups and organizations work
• How people are socialized into society
• The causes and consequences of deviance
• How social stratification works
• The forces that drive social change
• The role of social movements in society

Enrol Here 

15. Introduction to Economics

• Platform: Alison 
• Institution: Harvard University 
• Level: Beginner 
• Time: 8 weeks 
• Language: English 
• Subtitles: Spanish, French, Chinese, and Portuguese.

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of economics. You will learn about the basic concepts of economics, the major economic theories, and the most important economic issues facing the world today. You will also gain insights into how economics can be used to make better decisions in your personal and professional life.

Online Free Harvard Course to Take

• Introduction to economics
• Supply and demand
• Market equilibrium
• Elasticity
• Consumer choice
• Production and cost
• Perfect competition
• Monopoly
• Oligopoly
• Externalities
• Public goods

Who is This Free Harvard Online Course For?

This course is for anyone who wants to learn about the basic principles of economics. It is a good starting point for students interested in majoring in economics or anyone who wants to understand the economic forces that shape the world around them.

What You’ll Learn From This Free Harvard Online Course

• How to think like an economist
• The basic concepts of supply and demand
• How markets work
• How to make economic decisions
• The role of government in the economy
• The causes and consequences of economic growth
• The problems of inflation and unemployment
• The challenges of globalization

Enrol Here 

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Harvard University is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, and its online courses offer a great opportunity to learn from some of the best professors in the world. Whether you’re interested in computer science, data science, business, or the humanities, there’s sure to be a Harvard online course that’s right for you.

In addition to being free, many of Harvard’s online courses also offer certificates of completion. This can be a valuable addition to your resume or CV and help you stand out from the competition when applying for jobs or graduate school.

So what are you waiting for? Start exploring free Harvard online courses today!

References

• classcentral.com– 200+ Harvard University Courses & MOOCs 2024 – Class Central
• opportunitiescorners.com– Harvard University Free Online Courses 2024 (Enroll Now)

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