According to Forbes, the University of Berkeley, California, is the top college in the United States. It ranks among elite universities, such as Harvard, Columbia, Yale, and Cornell. This university has fourteen colleges and schools with over 350 degree programs, from the school of law and school of public health to the college of engineering and the Haas school of business.
The University of Berkeley, California, promises high-quality education for all students irrespective of their location and financial status. Students can take online courses in their desired academic fields and learn from the comfort of their homes. In this article, we’ll be talking about the paid and free Berkeley online courses.
About Berkeley Online Courses
Berkeley has a wide range of online courses available on its elearning platforms. Online students can also take free massive open online courses (MOOCs) on edX and Coursera. Berkeley hosts three types of online courses. These include start anytime online courses, fixed-date online courses, and live online courses.
Start anytime online courses are available all year round and begin when you apply for the program. The course includes instructor-led interactions, assignments, and feedback, and must be completed between 90 and 180 days. On the other hand, fixed-date courses are only available on specific dates and you can only access the course during this period.
Live online courses include synchronous online teaching sessions that involve interactive lectures, collaborative activities, and discussion forums organized through Zoom video conferencing.
Does Berkeley Offer Online Courses?
Yes. University of California, Berkeley offers courses and online programs across various academic fields. The online format allows you to simply sign up and start learning, straight from the comfort of your home, with no student visas or complex application processes.
What Can You Learn in a Berkeley Online Course?
Berkeley online courses cover numerous fields of study, such as social sciences, education, business, technology, and behavioral health sciences. These courses can prepare you for your degree or help you to refresh your skills in your current field. There are also stand-alone online programs on many popular topics. You can take courses in cryptocurrency, psychology, writing, and more.
Does Berkeley Offer Online Bootcamps?
Yes, it does. In addition to the traditional programs and online courses, Berkeley also offers various bootcamps to provide hands-on training to its students. The best tech bootcamps help learners gain crucial skills for their future careers through a structured curriculum, one-on-one coaching, and an engaging student experience.
Berkeley currently offers seven bootcamps covering coding, data analytics, cyber security, tech project management, digital marketing, FinTech, and UX/UI. These online programs teach a wide range of in-demand skills.
Best Berkeley Online Courses
There are over 100 free and paid online Berkeley courses for students that cover various topics. All you have to do is search through the course catalog to find the one that fits your preferences and learning goals. Here is a list of the best online courses.
| Course Title | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Health Informatics | 180 days | $1,150 |
| User-Interface (UI) Design | 30 hours | $1,107 |
| Qualitative Research: Design, Implementation, and Methods | 30 hours | $1,107 |
| Data Science Principles and Practice Using Python | 30 hours | $995 |
| Data Visualization | 180 days | $995 |
| Introduction to Big Data | 30 hours | $995 |
| Data Structures and Algorithms | 30 hours | $950 |
| Web Design with HTML5 and CSS3 | 30 hours | $945 |
| Introduction to C Language Programming | 180 days | $895 |
| Principles of Sustainability | 15 hours | $650 |
Introduction to Health Informatics
Health informatics is a field that combines health care, information, and computer science. This course provides an insight into health informatics from a financial and clinical perspective. Students also learn about how data is stored in health care systems and the application of technology to healthcare.
User-Interface (UI) Design
In this course, students delve deep into the principles of navigation design, interaction, and information to create an optimal user interface for digital products. You’ll study human-computer interactions, color theory, and how to follow a holistic approach to design. It is available for anyone with prior knowledge of design software, such as Adobe Illustrators, Axure, and Adobe Photoshop.
Qualitative Research: Design, Implementation, and Methods
This course teaches students about qualitative research and the different qualitative research methodologies. Students also learn how to identify the most appropriate research method for a particular situation and how to conduct their own qualitative investigation.
Data Science Principles and Practice Using Python
This is an introductory course in data science and Python programming language. In this course, you’ll learn about how to use Python to prepare and manage data, build models, and present results with data visualization techniques. Students interested in this course must have prior knowledge of Python programming and a fundamental understanding of statistics and calculus.
Data Visualization
This course will help you enhance your data visualization skills by working with various tools. Students learn how to use data sets and apply different data visualization techniques while using their preferred tools. The coursework involves theoretical and practical experience as students work with hands-on projects to build their skills.
Introduction to Big Data
This course introduces students to fundamental concepts of big data. When you enroll in this course, you will learn about the various technologies and analytical methods used to design big data systems. This program requires prior knowledge of high-level languages, such as Java, Python, C, Ruby, or C++.
Data Structures and Algorithms
This course provides fundamental knowledge of data structures, design techniques, algorithms, and data analytics tools. It utilizes a practical curriculum that equips software engineers with critical data structure and algorithm knowledge. Students work with problem sets and tools and complete assignments to learn the best data analysis practices.
Web Design with HTML5 and CSS3
This program introduces students to web design through HTML and CSS programming. Learners are also taught how to code and design websites using the InVision application. The coursework includes web standards applications, web development and design fundamentals, semantic coding, and HTML accessibility.
Introduction to C Language Programming
Do you want to learn the C programming language? Berkeley’s introduction to C language programming introduces students to the language’s fundamentals and helps them develop basic programming skills. The coursework includes data types, functions, and dynamic allocation principles. This program prepares students for other complex C programming courses.
Principles of Sustainability
UC Berkeley’s principle of sustainability course teaches students about the various pathways to global environmental sustainability while examining factors, such as policies, culture, design, and commerce. The coursework emphasizes the application of sustainability principles to improve quality of life.
Ten Best Free Berkeley Online Courses
| Course Title | Duration |
|---|---|
| Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies | 30 hours |
| The Science of Happiness | 55 hours |
| How to Write an Essay | 30 hours |
| Blockchain Technology | 30 hours |
| Academic and Business Writing | 30 hours |
| Empathy and Emotional Intelligence at Work | 8 hours |
| COVID-19 and Global Inequalities | 25 hours |
| Introduction to Agile Software Development: Tools & Techniques | 48 hours |
| How to Save Money: Making Smart Financial Decisions | 12 hours |
| Bridging Differences | 40 hours |
The University of California, Berkeley also hosts MOOCs, available on elearning platforms like edX and Coursera. These are free for all school students, although you may have to pay to get a certificate of completion at the end of the course.
Bitcoins and Cryptocurrencies
This program belongs to the computer science development category and provides students with a basic understanding of Bitcoin and the cryptocurrency field. The curriculum includes topics such as smart contracts, cyberpunk movements, and decentralized application development. You will also learn about the practical application of Bitcoin technologies.
The Science of Happiness
This positive psychology course teaches scientific principles and practices to enjoy a happy, meaningful life. When you enroll in this course, you will learn about research-backed tips to create happiness and encourage the feeling of happiness in others.
How to Write an Essay
Over five weeks, this program teaches essay development, grammar terminology, and self-editing techniques. Students learn to write effective sentences, paragraphs, and essays. The coursework involves online discussions, essay assignments, and peer reviews to facilitate student progress.
Blockchain Technology
The blockchain technology course introduces students to Bitcoin and blockchain technology. Students delve deeper into the applications of this type of technology, the challenges of blockchain adoption, and government regulations regarding the cryptocurrency space. If you want to start a career as a blockchain developer, data analyst, or crypto trader, this course is for you.
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Academic and Business Writing
In this academic program, you’ll learn about the different writing styles with an emphasis on business and academic writing. This five-week course teaches structure, grammar, vocabulary, and editing. The coursework involves assignments that allow students to practice and enhance their writing skills.
Empathy and Emotional Intelligence at Work
This course teaches the social and emotional skills required to maintain good relationships at your workplace. Students learn research-based skills and common tools to improve empathy, teamwork, and collaboration with their fellow employees. It features real-world case studies that reveal practical ways to build constructive social interactions.
COVID-19 and Global Inequalities
The world is still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This outbreak caused millions of deaths and job losses across the whole world. In this course, you will learn about the impact of COVD-19 on disadvantaged people. Students will also be taught the guiding laws and policy decisions governments worldwide adopted to manage the pandemic.
Introduction to Agile Software Development: Tools & Techniques
This course is an introduction to the Agile development professional certificate program. It teaches different techniques on how to design, develop, and modify software systems using Agile tools, such as GitHub, Heroku, Travis CI, and Pivotal Tracker.
How to Save Money: Making Smart Financial Decisions
This virtual program is for students looking to learn finance fundamentals and ways to become more responsible regarding decisions that involve money. When you enroll in this course, you will learn core skills to maximize your finances and make the best investment decisions.
Bridging Differences
In this course, you will be taught about the different resolution strategies you need to develop to solve conflicts, understand differences, and build better relationships with people. The online instruction and coursework also teach research-backed practices to connect with people from all walks of life.
How to Choose an Online Course from Berkeley
From paid courses on Berkeley’s elearning platform, to free MOOCs on edX, students have many options to choose from. But, how do you choose the best online course from Berkeley for your needs? With so many options, it can be a challenge to find the best one for you. Here are a few tips to help you out.
- Learning mode. As stated earlier, Berkeley offers three types of online courses, including start anytime online courses, fixed-date online courses, and live online courses. Each of these programs offers a different learning schedule and course length. You should pick the one that fits your needs best.
- Your budget. Another factor that you have to consider is your budget. How much do you have to spend on the course? If the paid courses are too pricey for you, it might be better to take free MOOCs.
- Entry requirements. What are the prerequisites for the course? Some courses have set admissions requirements based on your level of expertise, learning materials, and prior knowledge. Others are available to everyone. You should research the entry requirements before committing to a course.
- Learning goals. Your learning goals and career plans can help you decide what course to choose. For example, some people take online courses to refresh their skills, and others may need the course to boost their portfolio and earn a certificate of completion. Therefore, it is critical to keep your goals in mind before choosing a course.
- Student support services. An important thing to look out for is student support services to facilitate learning. You want to take a course that provides academic support and online tools for an optimal learning experience.
Are Online Courses at Berkeley Worth It?
Absolutely. Berkeley’s online courses are an avenue to gaining high-quality education from the University of California, Berkeley, irrespective of your location. School students are guided by experts and professionals dedicated to providing a rich online learning experience. In addition, you can build your skillset and earn certifications to give a boost to your resume.
Berkeley Online Courses FAQ
Is the UC Berkeley Extension the Same as UC Berkeley?
Yes. The online courses on UC Berkeley extension offer actual UC Berkeley programs. Therefore, the courses have the same content, title, unit value, and program number as the actual UC Berkeley physical courses.
Can I Take Classes at UC Berkeley?
Yes, you can take classes at UC Berkeley. Through the UC Berkeley extension program, you can attend online classes in any field of your choice without worrying about any sort of application process.
Is it Hard to Get into UC Berkeley?
Yes, it can be tough to get into the University of Berkeley, California. They have a low acceptance rate as they only admit the best of the best. You can, however, take their online courses without going through the application process.
Is Berkeley a Top 10 School?
Yes, the University of California, Berkeley is widely considered to be a top 10 school. It ranks first on Forbes’s list of top colleges in America.
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