Free Online Classes for Military Spouses

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers veterans education benefits and financial assistance programs. However, there are opportunities for military family members to continue their education. Military spouses can pursue low-cost or free online courses thanks to partnerships with nonprofits, online learning providers, and the Department of Defense's Spouse Education & Career Opportunities (SECO) initiative.

SECO accounts, run through Military OneSource, can grant learners access to online courses and training programs on third-party platforms like Udemy and Coursera. In addition to these courses, military spouses can access professional development tools like resume-building tips.

10 Free and Low-Cost Online Courses for Military Spouses

Upskilling is often one of the best ways to advance or restart your career path, but there are other steps that military spouses should take to meet their career goals. Military spouses can access self-paced courses on everything from cybersecurity to healthcare management starting with their SECO account

1. Udemy Learn the Basics of Networking

Computer networks are the basis of data sharing which is one of the most important elements of modern computing. This course teaches fundamental aspects of information technology that will help learners develop broader skills to enter the larger IT career field. This course isn't specifically designed for military spouses. However, it can greatly benefit members looking to advance or change their careers.

2. Udemy Introduction to Python Programming

Python is a commonly used programming language. Python is a beginner-friendly programming language that allows learners to practice and build skills without previous knowledge. Military spouses can begin learning basic Python before advancing to other programming courses, like Python Pro or JavaScript.

3. Udemy Data Science for Beginners

The role of data science continues to grow in modern computing, especially with the rise of AI and machine learning. This program requires no data science background, which makes it a great course for military spouses looking to develop new skills in an emerging career field. Learners who complete this course will have a solid foundation to continue their education with additional online courses or by starting a degree program.

4. Udemy Spanish for Beginners

Military spouses can benefit from learning a second language for personal and professional development. Career paths involving international business or work with immigrants will greatly benefit from having bilingual applicants. This course grants lifetime access for learners to review the downloaded video content. Each video includes a quiz to gauge learning and understanding.

5. Coursera Google IT Support Professional Courses

The Google Information Technology Support Professional Courses are courses that can be transferred as college credit or qualify a learner for entry-level IT positions. These courses provide beginners with fundamental knowledge of customer support, day-to-day IT tasks and responsibilities, and programming. The industry certification earned by completing this course is one of the most respected within the industry, meaning it can greatly boost a military spouse's resume.

6. Coursera Meta Social Media Marketing Courses

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has been a leader in social media for nearly two decades. Its course on social media marketing provides insights into the algorithms and best practices of some of the world's most popular social media platforms from the people behind them. This course covers topics such as:

• building a social media brand
• writing social copy
• using Meta's ad tools to run campaigns

Military spouses who earn this certificate receive the qualifications required to run their own social media-based business and work for a digital advertising agency in entry-level roles.

7. Coursera IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate

Data analysis is an in-demand skill across industry lines. Military spouses looking to upskill, but don't have a clear career path established, can benefit from a course like this. Earning a data analysis certificate can open doors in any industry that relies on data-based decision-making, such as business, information technology, and data science. This beginner-level course takes most learners around five months to complete, but the program is self-paced.

8. LinkedIn Learning Excel Essential Training

Microsoft Excel is one of the most commonly used spreadsheet programs. It's used in everything from data analysis to project management. An Excel certification applies to various careers, especially with data analysis or science-based learning programs. This course doesn't cover all of the applications of Excel, instead, it covers the fundamentals of how to use spreadsheets to track and display data.

9. Skillshare Become a Digital Marketer: A Step-by-Step Guide

Digital marketing is a growing segment of marketing involving search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, and copywriting. Learners who complete digital marketing certification programs can use these skills for their businesses or to work at a digital marketing agency. The skills associated with digital marketing are in demand for modern companies, and these skills will only become more in demand as e-commerce continues to expand.

10. Khan Academy Personal Finance

Personal Finance skills can benefit military spouses in their personal and professional lives. Military spouses, especially veterans in a transition program, will benefit from having skills in budgeting and finance as their spouse's career path changes. These skills are applicable as a financial advisor or consultant when combined with other certificates or degrees. This self-paced course uses video lessons to walk learners through skills like budgeting, buying a house, making car payments, and more.

Can a Military Spouse Study for Free?

Yes, military spouses can study for free by completing online courses. Initiatives like SECO allow military members and their families to receive free access to courses on third-party learning platforms, like Udemy and Coursera. These courses often result in certificates that can be used to apply for entry-level positions or as college credit when transferred to a degree program.

In addition to the SECO program, there are other opportunities that military spouses can take advantage of to upskill for little or no cost. These programs involve financial assistance from the learning platforms and private scholarships.

MyCAA Scholarship

The My Career Advancement Account Scholarship Program (MyCAA) is a program that provides tuition assistance to eligible military spouses. The program can award up to $4000 that can be applied toward a certificate, license, or associate degree. MyCAA awards benefits based on financial need as the primary criteria.

Coursera Financial Aid

Coursera offers its financial aid programs. These programs make learning accessible for learners who have demonstrated financial need. Students must apply for this financial aid through Coursera's platform and receive approval before taking classes. Additionally, learners can audit some Coursera certificates for free, but learners won't gain access to any certificate without payment.

Udemy Free Courses

Udemy provides learners with free courses that can be used to learn new skills or review established ones. Any learner can access these free programs but they are useful for military spouses looking to begin a new career path.