What is the hype around Coursera Certificates? Do Coursera Certificates matter in 2024? Let’s me help you find answers to your questions!
But before we start, I want to assure you Coursera certificates have created a respectful place in online learning because it hosts hundreds of Ivy League courses and professors. Coursera also partners with industry titans like Google, Meta, and IBM to host their certificate courses.
In this article, I will share all the details about the weightage that Coursera certificates carry in terms of their professional aspects. I have also included real-life testimonials and shared their experience,
With that, let’s get into the details!
Coursera Certificate Pros And Cons
Coursera, like a coin, has two sides to it. Here are a few pros and cons I noticed while I was using this platform.
Pros
- Flexible learning schedule
- Recognization is worldwide.
- A positive impression on recruiters.
- Certificate courses for different levels of proficiency.
- Course Instructors from renowned faculty and colleges.
Cons
- It is easy to cheat on a test as there is no supervisor.
- It is difficult to pass some assessments as the passing criteria are high (80%).
If you want to know what Coursera Plus offers, then check our in-depth Coursera Plus Review here.
The Value Of A Coursera Certificate On A Resume
When a hiring manager looks at multiple resumes, your resume can stand out due to the certificates you earned on Coursera.
The Coursera certificate is beneficial, especially for freshers. When you have no experience, the certificate shows that you have taken steps to learn more about the profession and acquire the necessary skills. It also shows that you always keep up with the latest advancements in your field.
You can see from the graph below that the influence of a professional certificate on hiring is immense globally. 74% of hiring managers in the USA say a professional certificate influenced their decision-making while recruiting employees, making these certificates valuable.
Are Coursera Certificates Good For College Application?
The specialization course is highly beneficial for students planning to apply to Universities and colleges.
A specialization course can help you prepare for a part of your course even before you begin your university classes. I recommend taking a specialization course; this will help learners gain a deeper understanding and make them mindful of the terminology used in the particular subject.
Like employers, Universities and Colleges are also looking at thousands of applications. When they see that a student has taken the initiative to learn more about the subject, it sends a subtle message that they are passionate about building a career in the said field.
Additionally, Coursera is a platform recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE). Students can earn credits by completing Coursera certificate courses. Check the table below or visit this link for the recommended credits offered on Coursera Certificates.
Types Of Certificates On Coursera
There are three types of certificates that you are awarded after finishing the test and assessment at the end of the course. Let’s find out what makes these certificate courses different from each other.
1. Professional Certificate- (Average Duration Of Course 2-6 months)
Dive into a professional course and learn skills related to your job. Professional Certificates are course series that get you job-ready in less than six months. I highly recommend these courses to everyone looking to stay updated in their field.
Take the example of the “Google Cyber Security” course above. This 8-course series is rated 4.8 / 5 and is taught by top Google instructors. This program is excellent for a Data Analyst, Junior Data Analyst, or Associate Data Analyst.
2. MasterTrack® Certificate- (Average Duration Of Course 4-7 Months)
The MasterTrack certificate program is for learners who want to pursue a Masters Degree. The courses under this program will help you lay an excellent foundation for your primary Degree and earn degree credits.
MasterTrack Certificates have great benefits like:
- Live Expert Instructors
- Course Projects, which can be used to build your portfolio
- Projects that are relevant in today’s day and age.
3. University Certificate- (Average Duration Of Course 6-12 Months)
Finishing a complete University course on Coursera will get you a certificate issued exclusively by the respective University. However, this does not mean that getting a University Certificate from Coursera is the same as attending University in person.
University certificate courses matter as they come with other perks like access to career support resources and alumni communities.
Tip- As pointed out above, each University program is unique and has different requirements. So be sure to check each course’s requirements.
Coursera Certificate Cost
Think again if you think these fantastic courses will leave a hole in your pocket. Coursera certificates are way more affordable than traditional education. See the Cost table below-
| Certificates | Cost (In USD) |
|---|---|
| Free Course | Starts $9.99 |
| Professional Program | $39- $99 |
| MasterTrack® | $2,000- $5,000 |
| University Certificate | $1,000-$3,000 |
| Coursera Bussiness | $399 per head / P.A. |
Note– Coursera provides the option to pay for the MasterTrack and Unversity Certificate program in 4 Monthly Installments.
How To Save Money On A Coursera Certificate
1700 Coursera Courses are free of cost. You can gain unlimited insight and knowledge from this platform for free. However, contrary to popular belief, Coursera certificates are not available for free. You will bear the cost of the course certificate.
Monthly Or Annual Subscription?
Here is the breakdown to help you understand why the annual subscription saves more. The monthly subscription charge is $59, which adds to $708 for 12 months.
If you are taking a course that lasts longer than five months or you want to take multiple courses on this platform, it is best to get an annual subscription.
The yearly subscription costs $399 for 12 months. If you opt for the annual plan instead of the monthly plan, you will save $309.
You can also check out our Coursera discount and enjoy massive savings on your purchase!
Tip: Always check for a free trial before signing up for any subscription. The Coursera free trial is available for 7 days. Use this trial to gauge whether you like the course material.
Top Coursera Certificate Courses
Here are some of the top Coursera certificate courses you should try.
- Google Ux Design
Get comprehensive knowledge on how to make mobile apps and responsive websites. Use the project created during the learning and your shareable certificate to apply for UX design jobs.
Note- Although many courses state they are beginner-friendly, they require you to know the basic terminology and language used in the respective field.
- Key Technologies For Bussines
You will earn a digital badge and certificate from IBM at the end of this specialization course. This course will be your foundation for Cloud Computing, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence.
Being an in-demand job, the enrollment for this course fills up fast. So, sign up today if you want to pursue this course.
- Meta Front-End Developer
Meta Front-End developer course opens up many job opportunities for its learners as this is one of the in-demand courses. You will earn a degree from Meta directly. And the best part is that this course requires no prior degree or experience in the field.
- Taxation Graduate Certificate
This course is recommended for auditors, financial managers, accountants, business analysts, and tax and financial Managers. Completing this course will give you in-depth knowledge about the U.S. federal tax system.
This course has some prerequisites you need to complete before you start. Check the details about the course here.
- Contract Law
I am having a big fan moment here. If you are a lawyer, you know what I mean when I say Ian Ayers. For anyone who doesn’t know what I am talking about, Ian Ayers is an outstanding American Lawyer and Economist.
Ian Ayers (a Yale professor) teaches this course, providing insights through common law cases, legal doctrines, and discussions of legal policies. If you want to learn how valid and enforceable contracts are drafted, this master class is for you.
Note – Take Part 2 after you finish the above course for more comprehensive knowledge.
Coursera Certificate- Share Your Course Certificate
When finishing a course, share your hard-earned certificate on your LinkedIn profile or use the safe and secure Coursera URL to share your certificate online.
You can also download the certificate and print the PDF for a physical copy of your achievement.
Another way to share your credentials is to incorporate the certificate URL on the hard copy of your Resume or other applications.
You will find the link to your certificate in the “Accomplishment” section of your Coursera account. Open your certificate, and you will find the option to share it under the said certificate.
Some courses on Coursera also offer a badge on course completion along with a certificate (like the one shown above). Coursera will send you an email on completing your course assignments; simply choose the option “Accept the Badge” in the email to acclaim your badge.
Coursera Certificate- Testimonials
While researching Coursera, I found a few opinions about the platform helpful. I hope they help you answer the question – “Do Coursera Certificates matter?”
Christian Paez on Quora answers if Coursera Certificates can get one a job and if they are worth it. She says-
“Yes I have. I work as a Web Developer and most of my education comes from Coursera and Edx, however I got hired for my skills, not for having a certificate. I would say that yes indeed Coursera´s courses are worth it but you need to put in the work as a student. Good luck.”-
G2.com is a trusted platform to find honest reviews. Coursera is rated 4.5 out of 5 based on all the learners’ average ratings. A few of the reviews are mentioned below; check all the reviews here.
More In Coursera:
Final Verdict – Coursera Certificates Strengthen Your CV And Hence Matter
The answer to the question “Do Coursera Certificates matter?” lies in the grey region. Coursera certificates are a great way to show that you are driven to learn more and equip yourself with the required skills for the job.
However, that is not enough. You can’t rely solely on certificates earned on Coursera. You should use these certificates in addition to your traditional academic achievements and job experiences.
Focus on improving soft skills (and guess what- Coursera has courses for enhancing soft skills too). A combination of soft skills, traditional education, and Coursera Certificates make up the golden trio.
The sooner you start working on developing yourself, the better. Start your journey of knowledge and wisdom and save $200 on the way with the offer and tips I mentioned above.
FAQs
1700+ courses are free on Coursera; however, you must pay a fee for the certificate. Whether you should sign up for a paid course depends on your educational and professional needs.
No. Coursera certificates, like all the other traditional certificates, do not expire.
Coursera hosts Ivy League schools (like Yale, Brown, and Princeton) and Industry Giant (Google, Meta, and IBM). It also has exceptionally qualified and experienced instructors—making Coursera a clear winner.
Yes, the Coursera app is free. Download the Coursera app from the “App Store” or the “Play Store,” depending on your phone.
No. Coursera does not offer any free certificates. For some courses, certificates start at as low as $9.99 (USD). If you do not want to pay for the certificates, you can take their Free courses and opt out of buying them.
