Are There Any Free Online Training Programs that are Really Free?

<p>Most free online training programs don't offer college credit upon completion, although some may issue certificates or Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Following are a few of the many free online training programs and courses available on the Internet. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutFreeOnlineTrainingPrograms">Important Facts About Free Online Training Programs</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Levels of Study</b></td><td> Beginner, intermediate, advanced</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Online Availability</b></td><td> Fully online</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Formats</b> </td><td> Varies; examples include: series of self-paced classes, video lectures, downloadable course materials</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Key Skills for Success</b></td><td> Basic computer literacy, independent initiative, interest in subject matter</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---MITOpenCourseware">MIT Open Courseware</h3> <p>The OpenCourseWare project at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) offers free courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, in subjects ranging from engineering to global studies to literature. Available course titles include: </p> <ul><li>Single Variable Calculus </li><li>Law and Society in U.S. History </li><li>Writing and Reading Short Stories </li><li>Economic Applications of Game Theory </li><li>Software Engineering Concepts </li><li>Islam, the Middle East, and the West </li></ul><h3 id="section---U.S.SmallBusinessAdministration">U.S. Small Business Administration</h3> <p>The U.S. Small Business Administration, a federal agency, offers several dozen free online tutorials in five categories: financing, government contracting, managing, marketing, and starting a business. Here are some courses that interested individuals can take: </p> <ul><li>Taking Your High-Tech Product to Market </li><li>Buying a Business </li><li>Understanding Your Customer </li><li>Cybersecurity for Small Businesses </li><li>Finding and Attracting Investors </li><li>Contracting Opportunities for Veteran Entrepreneurs </li></ul><h3 id="section---UniversityOfMinnesotaSchoolOfPublicHealth">University of Minnesota-School of Public Health</h3> <p>The University of Minnesota-School of Public Health's Centers for Public Health and Outreach offers a range of public health-related courses that confer continuing education credits. Registration is required, but there are no fees. Following are several of the available subjects: </p> <ul><li>Introduction to Epidemiology </li><li>Introduction to Biostatistics </li><li>Introduction to Management in Public Health </li><li>Health Promotion and Adult Education </li><li>Theory and Practice of Occupational Health and Safety </li><li>Control Strategies for Chemical or Biological Hazards </li></ul><h3 id="section---NationalInstituteOfJustice">National Institute of Justice</h3> <p>The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) offers online training in subjects related to criminal justice, law enforcement, corrections, and forensics. Many are free for public officials, and some are also free to the general public. Course formats include recorded webinars and self-paced web training modules. </p> <ul><li>Controlled Substances </li><li>Digital Multimedia Evidence </li><li>Advanced and Emerging DNA Techniques and Technologies </li><li>Firearms </li><li>Collecting Footwear and Tire Impressions in Snow </li></ul><h3 id="section---AmericansWithDisabilitiesActADANationalNetwork">Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) National Network</h3> <p>The ADA National Network offers online courses to help people understand the provisions of the ADA and its applications in various contexts. These are some of the course titles: </p> <ul><li>ADA Basic Building Blocks </li><li>Overview of Disability Rights </li><li>Architectural Accessibility Laws </li><li>Federal Court Concepts Training Module </li><li>Welcoming Customers with Disabilities</li></ul>