How would/will you list the free courses on your resume?

Actually, in taking a second look at the question, I have come to realize that I really meant that I would likely not list non-credit courses on my resume. Free courses, maybe. For example, if Nations Unmiversity were to revive their MRS in Church History, get some legit accreditation, and still offer it tuition-free, I would be perfectly happy to list said degree on my resume.

 

But these are courses that are taught and offered by accredited universities. If I have 5 courses from Duke University in management and it would enhance my CV or resume, I would list it. As long as you aren't misrepresenting anything, I guess I don't see why you wouldn't if it helped you to advance your career (which is not to say it does either).

 

Here is what I put on my resume:
[FONT=&quot]Education[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Master of Aeronautical Science - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Master of Science Quality Assurance - California State University Dominguez Hills[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Bachelor of Science - Excelsior College/University State of New York[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Numerous other university and company courses.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]If the interviewer is interested he can ask you about this last line.
[/FONT]

 

A good point was made about the printed certificates in that would they list Coursera or what? The other issue I see is that if you finished part of a BA/BS would you list those courses? How about part of a MA/MS? If you were going for an actual certificate (in management or whatever you choose), that would be different but let us say that along the way to a certificate, you were 2 courses shy, would you still list it?

 

Hm... Are we talking professor graded courses that provide you with a verifiable certificate? Then I might list them if I needed something to list on my resume in that field.

For courses like MIT's free ones, the ones I've looked at have been completely self-study with no way to verify that you did the course. To me, that's more like reading books on my own, or watching video seminars on my own. How would employers verify I really did the class, without transcripts, certificates, or anything? Is there a way to get transcripts/verification of these classes?

Classes that provide certificates or professor-based grades I would be more inclined to list. I would list (and have listed) courses that were meant for a degree if that's all I had to list for education on my resume. I note intended degree completion date. I suppose you could put "12 graduate credit hours at State University in Marketing" if you were looking to shift into a marketing job.

This whole "free class" trend is intriguing. I would love free classes that I could somehow get credit, certificates, or similar from.

 

Free courses, on a resume, no.

 

You know, I never realized you mentioned "free courses". I would not list free courses, none of the above were free.

 

Why is "free" all of a sudden the sticking point? Does that lessen their worth?

 

Are there any "free" courses that are accredited, are professor graded, and come with transcripts?

All of the free "courses" I've seen are self-study. To me it's the self-study that makes them more personal enrichment, like reading books or attending conferences and seminars. I haven't found any of them that will give me transcripts or grades to have that verification.

 

Along those lines, just list all the books you have read on your resume.

 

I love this. Maybe I should have seperate categories. Romance novels. Best sellers. Legit literature. Comic books (I'm a big "Silver Surfer" fan).