5400 Free Online Courses from Top Universities (Part 2)

Updated on September 10, 2026

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This is Part 2 of our directory of free online courses from top universities, covering subjects alphabetically from F through M (Finance–Music). Every listing links directly to the institution hosting the course, so you can start studying at no cost.

This directory is published in three parts. You are reading Part 2 (F–M: Finance–Music). Continue with Part 1: A–E (Accounting–European and Russian Studies) and Part 3: N–Z (Nanotechnology–Writing).

Finance

There is an incredibly wide variety of jobs available for students who take free online college finance courses and eventually earn a certificate, diploma, or degree. Some of the occupations available include those of accountant, claims adjuster, financial analyst, fundraiser, insurance underwriter, and financial examiner. Most careers in finance require a bachelor's degree, but they often reward graduates with impressive salaries.

Some of the topics of discussion in free online college finance classes include real estate finance, analytics of finance, behavioral economics, global entrepreneurship, and project appraisal. Online classes are available from highly regarded institutions like MIT and Stanford. Their free college finance courses online may help students become involved in financial jobs like mergers & acquisitions, corporate finance, or financial accounting. Finance majors are also frequently seen in jobs that concern investments for businesses or individuals.

There are some limited opportunities for students who take basic classes in finance to find work as entry-level employees for institutions like banks, investment firms, and other businesses. However, taking free college finance classes online might be just the start of what a future financial analyst needs to qualify for the highest-paying jobs. Since a graduate degree in finance is an expensive proposition, trying out some online classes first is a good idea.

Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels represent the world's primary source of energy, and they include oil, coal, and natural gas. Free online college fossil fuels courses can help students with an interest in energy production sharpen their skills in the areas of advanced energy conversion, energy crises, and sustainable energy. Free online college fossil fuels classes can even teach students about related topics like internal combustion engines and thermal hydraulics.

Many jobs may become available once a student has completed his or her study of fossil fuels. Some jobs may be available in laboratories and research settings, and others may be offered for fieldwork in sales, management, or consulting. Free college fossil fuels courses online may offer information about the science of fossil fuels and the physics or chemistry of different fuels, as well as the history of humanity's use of those substances.

Some free college fossil fuels classes online may even offer an introduction to sustainable fuel options and help students who want to bridge the ideological divide between fossil fuels and renewable energy options.There is the expectation that humanity will adopt a completely renewable system for making energy, but that time is likely distant in the future, which means that knowledge of fossil fuels today can help energy production tomorrow.

French Language and Literature

There are more than 76 million native French speakers in France and around 300 million French speakers around the world. Free online college French language and literature courses can help anyone who wants to learn more about the 5th most-spoken language on the planet. French is only behind Chinese, English, Spanish, and Arabic in its worldwide popularity. French classes may offer instruction on language acquisition, as well as the history of the French and their country.

Future French speakers can take free online college French language & literature classes from universities like MIT and Carnegie Mellon on topics like French culture, French fiction, and modern French literature. Learning about French culture and the country's language can help businesspeople who want to conduct business in France form strong connections through basic fluency of the language. Free college French language and literature courses online can even help entrepreneurs conduct business in Africa since there are millions of French speakers on that continent.

Taking free college French language & literature classes online is even an ideal option for casual learners who simply want to expand their knowledge of other cultures and understand major world events from a different point of view. Learning about French culture is also helpful for anyone who might take a vacation to France.

Fuel Cells

Fuels cells are commonly used today in vehicles as a way to produce electricity from hydrogen. Fuel cells are an interesting option for powering devices because they can be used in items as small as laptop computers or as large as power generating stations. Free online college fuel cells courses offer students an excellent way to explore how fuel cells work in vehicles, as well as in other applications.

The value in using fuel cells versus internal combustion engines is that they produce lower overall emissions. Free online college fuel cells classes may teach a student about the cost of fuel cells, their overall performance, and their durability. There is a significant amount of work currently underway at the United States Department of Energy, which has partnerships with universities and industries across the country for the purposes of research and development.

Students who have an interest in working with fuel cells may benefit from free college fuel cells courses online as they may translate into a college career in a discipline like engineering, energy, or chemistry. Free college fuel cells classes online are also something to consider for anyone who is interested in switching from an internal combustion engine vehicle to one that runs on fuel cells.

Functional Genomics

One area of concentration available to students who are interested in genetics is functional genomics, which has to do with the study of genotypes and phenotypes on a global scale. Free online college functional genomics courses may introduce students to the large-scale experiments employed in the field where scientists aim to understand how the DNA sequences are translated into information within the cell.

Some of the complex technologies used in functional genomic studies include expression-profiling, tiling microarrays, RNA sequencing, and ChIP-sequencing. Free online college functional genomics classes may show how these various technologies produce an extraordinary amount of information from their respective machines. Classes in functional genomics may feature topics like genomic medicine, genomics as it impacts economics and society, and molecular biology.

Free college functional genomics courses online may also feature the study of tumor suppression, genomic instability, and the evolution of the X chromosome. Some of the jobs open to students who have graduated with a degree in functional genomics or who have taken free college functional genomics classes online include those of senior scientist, data coordinator, co-op researcher, and research scientist. Those with experience in functional genomics may also find work in library screening, as bioinformation scientists, or as interns for genetics companies.

Game Design

Video games, computer games, console games, and smartphone games represent an amazingly huge segment of computer science-related business, and taking free online college game design courses may help students with dreams of creating the next big game gain the expertise to begin a career in game creation. Computer games and similar games are complex programs that require components that range from computer programming to graphic design to story and character creation.

Free online college game design classes may help students learn about such diverse topics as non-linear narratives in gaming, general game design, using games for social change, and educational gaming programs. Jobs that lead to video game design are very competitive, and it's often the case that future designers must enter a traditional degree program after taking all available free college game design courses online.

Degrees a student might want to consider as a future game designer include undergraduate degrees in game design, web design, programming, or another area of computer science. Free college game design classes online can help students figure out whether they are best suited for the technical facets of game design or whether they might want to concentrate on the artistic and creative pursuits within game design.

Game Theory

Game theory isn't something directly and solely related to the design of computer games. Rather, game theory is a study of how mathematical models can predict and explain the interaction of decision-makers. Taking free online college game theory courses is an excellent option for anyone who has an interest in social science and wants to use mathematics to pursue a career that delves into logic, computer science, and systems science.

The concept of game theory was first postulated in the 1950s by scholars and was added to educational lessons in the 1970s. However, some discussions and early concepts of game design had been in the public sphere as early as the 1930s. Today, free online college game theory classes can help students gain insights into philosophy, mathematics, video game theory, and economic theory, as well as many other vital areas.

Many of the jobs that may become available to students who take free college game theory courses online and who eventually enter and graduate from degree programs are related to research and teaching. Students may work as a senior principal game theory scientist or a research scientist for an economics think tank. Free college game theory classes online may also lead to work as a professor of game theory or associate professor of game theory.

Gender Studies

Gender studies is an area of education that covers many facets of societal life, including race, psychology, identity, feminist politics, and the economy as it relates to society and family. Free online college gender studies courses may offer instruction on topics like women in film, feminist scholarship, and folk traditions of early peoples. Many of the types of employment that a student may pursue after taking free online college gender studies classes and eventually graduating from a degree program are in education.

Examples of gender studies jobs include those of assistant professor of sexuality studies, behavioral science lecturer, gender studies instructor, and assistant director of women's and gender studies. Free college gender studies courses online may cover additional topics like how gender impacts technology, the impact of gender, race, and faith on writing, and how gender influences the lyrics and topics of poetry.

Topics in gender studies programs often feature the history of gender as it impacts the subject, and free college gender studies classes online might include the study of gender in locations like the early Americas, Europe, and Asia. There are also a growing number of classes offered in queer studies and the development of gender identity in modern society.

Geography

Majoring in geography is an excellent option for anyone who wants to work in an area like political science, GPS technology, the economics of geography, or public health. Free online college geography courses offer topics of study like field geology, navigation, the growth of urban areas, and geographic information systems. People who have experience in geography may also work as professors or teachers in higher education.

There are also jobs available as geographers, which is an exciting job for anyone who enjoys working remotely, in foreign countries, or in the field. Anyone who wants to become a geographer can begin with free online college geography classes, but employment usually requires that the student completes their bachelor's degree. Job responsibilities of geographers may include gathering geographic data in the field, conducting research with surveys, and analyzing the physical characteristics of a given area.

In free college geography courses online, students may also learn how to use various technologies in their work like global positioning systems. Those and other systems used by geographers offer a wealth of data that must be analyzed and placed into reports. Free college geography classes online may instruct students on how to take research data and apply it to the economy, the environment, politics, or human health.

Geology and Geophysics

Geoscientists often work in an interesting environment where they might work with simple tools one day like a hammer and chisel and then return to their laboratory to conduct tests with complex machines on the materials collected. After taking free online college geology and geophysics courses, a future geologist or geophysicist might enroll in a bachelor's degree program to complete their studies.

Some of the lessons a student might receive in free online college geology & geophysics classes include those on the atmosphere, the environment, and oceanographic science. Topics of discussion include gas law, the greenhouse effect, horizontal transport, and water in the atmosphere. Free college geology and geophysics courses online may also offer instruction in atmospheric circulation, frontal cyclones, the earth's seasons, the global climate, and the Coriolis effect.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveals that geoscientists may eventually earn a median pay of more than $92,000 per year, which means enrolling in free college geology & geophysics classes online could be the start of a financially and mentally rewarding career. Dedicated geoscientists can make even higher salaries when they enroll in a graduate degree program after completing a Bachelor of Science in Geology or a Bachelor of Science in Geophysics.

German Language and Literature

There are an estimated 90 million native German speakers on the planet and an additional 75 to 100 million people who speak German as a second language. With so many millions of people communicating in this language around the world, it may benefit students to consider enrolling in free online college German language and literature courses. Not only can German create valuable international business opportunities, but it can also lead to higher pay in some professions.

Mastering German by using free online college German language & literature classes is possible for dedicated students, and anyone who really wants to immerse him or herself in the language and culture may eventually want to travel to Germany, which is where most native speakers live. Beyond learning how to speak the language in free college German language and literature courses online, students may also learn valuable information about German society and its traditions.

When traveling to another country or visiting a locale where the inhabitants speak a different language, it's valuable to know the language, but it's even more helpful to understand the customs. Free college German language & literature classes online are a terrific option for anyone who wants to learn the language, as well as learn how to best interact with people from Germany.

Global Poverty

Poverty is a topic that is often difficult to talk about, and it's also tough to quantify because of the significant variances in what constitutes poverty around the world. Free online college global poverty courses may help motivated students learn about how they can help to reduce the number of people living in poverty around the world. Topics discussed from the classes at MIT include international development planning, poverty in Africa, and public policy.

Other topics discussed in free online college global poverty classes include local economic development, urban climates, first-world cities, and third world countries. Some of the types of employment that may open to students after they are educated on global poverty include global poverty lecturer, senior associate for monitoring and evaluation, or policy manager.

Other jobs that may open to students who have taken free college global poverty courses online or received a degree in an area of social science include associate director of social protection, managing director of social ventures, research economist, or engagement manager. Free college global poverty classes online are also valuable for anyone who wants to become more learned and worldlier on the subject of poverty and social justice around the world.

Globalization

Globalization is a concept often visited in business school that concerns the movement of a business from a national to an international presence. In free online college globalization courses, students may learn about how the world's economies have started to become interdependent with the increased globalization of major companies, as well as the development and advancement of developing nations.

The concept of globalization is a topic that often becomes politicized, but free online college globalization classes aren't solely about how the political environment impacts policy and laws regarding international business. Topics that students may learn about in their globalization classes include the environment and its impact on society, international trade, and the challenges of world poverty. Other classes feature discussions on jobs in the global economy, the policy of sustainable development, and how globalization impacts financial relations and politics.

Some of the employment options for students who take free college globalization courses online include those as data scientists, regulatory affairs managers, project managers, software architects, and directors of globalization. Students may want to pair their free college globalization classes online with classes that offer instruction on a different language or in the culture of a country where the student eventually hopes to conduct business.

Health and Exercise Science

Enrolling in free online college health and exercise science courses is a healthy option for regular students who have an interest in eating and living in a healthy manner, as well as students who want to eventually work in an area of exercise science, sports, or health care. Exercise science classes are an excellent place to start for anyone who wants to become a personal trainer, but free online college health & exercise science classes are also amazing for people who want to learn about weight training and exercise.

Enrolling in free college health and exercise science courses online could be the answer for any student who wants to become a physical education teacher in school, as well as for anyone who wants to take a more scientific approach to their employment with a research job in exercise science.

Some of the options for employment for those who pursue health and exercise science classes include exercise physiologist, health & fitness specialist, kinesiology instructor, or exercise scientist. Starting with free college health & exercise science classes online is also a great way to start learning about how to become a fitness teacher with a specialty like weight lifting, cardiovascular activities, or aerobics.

Healthcare Management

Those who want to have a meaningful impact on the health and welfare of society may want to consider enrolling in free online college healthcare management courses. Classes may cover technological topics like information technology and the healthcare system, as well as concepts like engineering, business, and Lean Six Sigma as they impact healthcare management.

A sampling of the jobs that may be available to students who take free online college healthcare management classes and then complete their studies in a degree program include program implementation manager, assistant hospital administrator, health & wellbeing program manager, or healthcare partner manager. Students who take free college healthcare management courses online may find work for huge organizations like the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, which is the second-largest health system in the world.

They may also work for small and independent companies that deal with healthcare on a local scale or where work is done in a research laboratory rather than with the public and with the management of healthcare delivery systems. Prospective students with an interest in the health care industry may elect to enroll in just a few free college healthcare management classes online to see if the discipline is one in which they might thrive.

Higher Education

Teachers who wish to adopt a position of leadership at their school or educational institution may be well-served by enrolling in free online college higher education courses. Some of the areas of study available in higher education classes include guidelines on learning, college-level teaching, and leadership at the graduate level. Students who begin with free online college higher education classes may eventually need to enroll in a graduate degree program.

Some of the careers that may open to students who obtain a higher education degree that begins with free college higher education courses online include vice president of enrollment management, dean of admissions, provost, or chief academic officer. Students may also eventually find work as directors of academic advising, directors of student financial aid, athletic directors, or fundraising officers.

Concepts that may be introduced in free college higher education classes online include building awareness of cultural diversity, the importance of social justice and inclusion, and the growth mindset for the rules and regulations of higher education administration. It's usually the case that students will need to earn a bachelor's degree in education and a graduate degree in higher education to qualify for the highest-paying jobs in the world of education administration.

History

History is a fascinating and wide-ranging subject of study, and there are free online college history courses available from lauded institutions like Yale University, MIT, and Stanford University. Although it might seem as though a degree in history is a very general area from which to graduate, there are some excellent careers available to graduates of history degrees.

Some of the jobs that might become available to students who take free online college history classes include those of library, historian, archivist, management analyst, market research analyst, or curator. It's also common for students who graduate from programs in history to find work as teachers, but those graduates may begin their educational journeys by enrolling in free college history courses online. History courses are offered on just about every subject imaginable, from war and weapons to art and media.

A sampling of the topics available in free college history classes online includes economic history, territorial conflicts, military doctrine, civil war, and nuclear weapons. Students may also study gender, technology, the history of physics, the history of computing, and the histories of other fascinating subjects. Further subjects available for study in a historical context include race, theater, literature, music, science, nature, and religion.

Humanities

There is an incredible number of topics available to students who are interested in the humanities, and it's possible to study a wide array of subjects like music, art, language, and literature in free online college humanities courses. Advanced study in the humanities may include lessons on the disciplines of philosophy and religion, as well as how literature, language, and art are impacted by those disciplines.

A humanities degree is often considered an interdisciplinary area of study, as well as a degree that covers a broad range of topics. Free online college humanities classes may represent the start of a student's journey from individual classes to degree status with an associate degree, bachelor's degree, or graduate degree in the humanities.

Common subjects offered for examination in free college humanities courses online include international literature, foreign languages, religion, and gender studies. Any of these topics may interest a casual student, as well as introduce students of other disciplines to valuable topics that may help them in their business, creative, or science careers. Free college humanities classes online may help a student figure out whether they want to study the topic in a full college degree program or whether they simply want to keep their interest at a general and informal level.

Hydrogen and Alternatives

Renewable and sustainable energy represent an amazingly valuable area of study for the scientists of tomorrow, and hydrogen technology is one area of focus that students may consider when they enroll in free online college hydrogen and alternatives courses. Popular areas of study in renewable energy options include solar, wind, and hydropower, but the topic of hydrogen has become increasingly popular with the advent of cars powered by fuel cells.

The development of hydrogen and fuel cell technology has become so important that some institutions of higher learning have created centers of research devoted to hydrogen. For example, The University of South Carolina has a Hydrogen and Fuel-Cell Center, which is meant to train graduate students and help them conduct research. Students who want to eventually enter graduate school can begin with free online college hydrogen & alternatives classes.

After taking free college hydrogen and alternatives courses online, some of the career avenues that a student may be able to explore include fuel cell program manager, fuel cell systems engineer, and fuel cell systems lead engineer. Students who have a mind for scientific study and are interested in roles that require ingenuity, creativity, and problem-solving skills may want to enroll in free college hydrogen & alternatives classes online.

Immunology

The topic of immunology is one that has equal fascination for legitimate scientists, as well as casual learners. Immunity is a topic that is especially prevalent in the era of global pandemics, and free online college immunology courses can satisfy those learning urges. Students may learn about cellular and molecular immunology, as well as how the immune system works to fight illness.

Those who complete free online college immunology classes may end up enrolling in official degree programs, and immunologists may work in a variety of settings, from private companies to government organizations. Scientists in immunological research may work for major healthcare organizations like Cedars-Sinai, as well as doctoral universities that have large research budgets and advanced laboratories where leading-edge discoveries are made and eventually help the public.

Free college immunology courses online can lead to jobs like medical science liaison, rector of gastroenterology research, or immunology sales representative. Additional job titles that students may consider include staff scientist, associate scientific director, or clinical immunologist. Free college immunology classes online may help students with different goals, whether those goals are to work in a laboratory environment at a university or in a sales or management capacity for a private company.

Indigenous Studies

Indigenous studies classes concern the study and research of indigenous people who reside on a particular continent. Free online college indigenous studies courses may focus on the cultures and people of North America, or they might concern the people who inhabited the Australian continent before the arrival of the Europeans. Classes may feature discussions on the history, culture, traditions, and politics of indigenous peoples, as well as the types of research that may benefit modern indigenous people.

There are many ways to learn about indigenous people, and free online college indigenous studies classes are an excellent way to introduce one's self to a subject that isn't always at the forefront of classes on history and society. Many of the options for employment that may be offered to students who complete free college indigenous courses online are those in education. Taking online classes may help a future research professional qualify for internships with various organizations.

Taking free college indigenous classes online may also encourage students to apply for entry into college programs that offer interdisciplinary degrees in indigenous studies. There are well-regarded programs in indigenous law, indigenous studies, and indigenous history that students may investigate, as well as jobs like assistant professor of native and indigenous studies, visiting scholar of indigenous studies, and cultural heritage and indigenous knowledge fellow.

Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management

Industrial relations is a type of human resource management that concerns the relationships between workers and management in a particular industry. Subjects covered in free online college industrial relations and human resource management courses include labor economics, mergers & acquisitions, conflict management, labor unions, and the politics of labor. A general degree earned in industrial relations may be augmented by the focused study of employee relations or labor relations.

The concept of industrial relations is something that came about in the 19th century in the United States when employees began unionizing and fighting for collective bargaining rights. The concept was furthered in its importance in American society in the 1930s and 1940s with the advent of the government's New Deal program. Free online college industrial relations & human resource management classes may offer insights into the history of the profession.

Industrial relations is a social science, and free college industrial relations and human resource management courses online may help students become scholars on the subject, as well as eventually teach others as a professor. Potential jobs that may become available to students who complete free college industrial relations & human resource management classes online include senior manager, HR manager, attorney, or employee relations specialist.

Information Technology

Information technology is a large and expansive area in which to focus, and students may enroll in free online college information technology courses with a variety of end goals in mind. One student may eventually become involved in maintaining databases, and another student might eventually work with the creation and development of computer applications. Free online college information technology classes are offered on a wide range of topics like geographic information systems, spatial database management, and communication technology.

Many of the jobs offered to those who complete free college information technology courses online and eventually earn a degree from an institution of higher learning are for private companies that offer information technology services. Other jobs are available in the information technology departments of various businesses. Job titles available to graduates include information technology consultant, information technology analyst, and information technology specialist.

Many of the professions within information technology pay more than the nationwide average, and students don't necessarily need a graduate degree or advanced degree to qualify for high paying employment. Starting with free college information technology classes online may eventually qualify students to work as computer support specialists or web developers with no more education than an associate degree, a certificate of completion, or a diploma.

Innovation

The concept of innovation might seem like a vague and general area in which to specialize in higher education, but there are actually degrees offered in the area of innovation that focus on improving the products, services, and processes involved in modern business. Students may benefit from eventually enrolling in a degree program that is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, but it's possible to begin the study of innovation in free online college innovation courses.

A few of the topics of study in free online college innovation classes include strategic organization design, managing entrepreneurship, team projects, and developing breakthrough products. Students who pursue degrees in innovation may qualify to work for a wide variety of businesses in the private sector, as well as non-profit organizations and the military.Free college innovation courses online may offer valuable details on sustainability, manufacturing, collaboration, and business development.

Some of the jobs a student may apply for after completing their free college innovation classes online and earning a degree include chief innovation officer, vice president of business intelligence and analytics, director of product innovation, and strategic innovation manager. Employment in innovation often includes work within multiple departments in the same company.

Italian Language and Literature

More than 60 million people around the world speak Italian, and enrolling in free online college Italian language and literature courses may introduce a student to some incredible facets of history. Italians have been at the center of some of the largest artistic movements and empires that have ever been seen on the planet, and classes cover thousands of years of human history. However, free online college Italian language & literature classes aren't just concerned with the Roman Empire and eras like the Renaissance.

There are some interesting jobs that may become available after a student completes his or her study of Italy, the Italian language, or the history of the country. Jobs may include those as foreign correspondents, travel writers, or translators. Prospective students can also use their free college Italian language and literature courses online as a way to study the history and language of their ancestors.

Anyone who is interested in becoming involved in international business may want to consider studying one of the cultures or languages of the European continent. Free college Italian language & literature classes online may help future entrepreneurs who want to conduct business in Italy and are interested in a popular Italian industry like agriculture, tourism, motor vehicle sales, or pharmaceuticals.

Japanese Language and Literature

Studying Japanese may open doors to cultural travel and vacations in Japan, as well as job opportunities as a translator, international businessperson, or teacher. Free online college Japanese language and literature courses can help those with interest in Japan learn about the language, as well as the notable points in the history of the Japanese people. Taking Japanese language courses is a must for anyone who wants to conduct business in Japan.

Free online college Japanese language & literature classes are also a valuable option for anyone who wants to form business connections in an industry where cultural sensitivity is important. For students who come from a Western sensibility, learning about the culture and norms of Japan may make it easier to work with Japanese companies where social conventions are extremely important and very different from those in the West in places like Europe and the United States.

Students who stick with free college Japanese language and literature courses online until they've exhausted all classes and have become fluent in the language may actually be able to work as instructors of the Japanese language in the United States or work as teachers of English in Japan. Free college Japanese language & literature classes online are valuable whether a student is a casual learner or someone who is fiercely dedicated to learning the language.

Journalism

The topic of journalism and the study of it in college is something that can lead to work as a field reporter for a major news outlet, as well as a staff writer for an internet news company. Free online college journalism courses may also help private individuals with their communication skills even if their only goal is to increase their writing skills in personal emails and other private communications.

Journalists and reporters work in virtually every country on the planet, so taking free online college journalism classes may help a student qualify for work abroad as a reporter in a conflict zone, or they may help a student find work at a humble newspaper in a small American town. Journalism skills and the knowledge gained from free college journalism courses online may also help students communicate well during their job search for employment in a different area.

For students who want to use free college journalism classes online to find jobs as writers, some of the options for employment include jobs as a staff writer, part-time journalism faculty, reporter, sales assistant, or editor. Working as a traditional journalist can even lead to work on-air for television stations or news reporting outlets.

Language

Human speech and language are some of the most complex and incredible facets of the human experience, and taking free online college language courses may lead to all sorts of interesting pursuits in linguistics, business, research, and education. Taking classes on language may lead to employment in areas as diverse as American Sign Language interpreter to contract linguist for a translation company.

Studying free online college language classes may help a student decide what foreign language he or she might want to pursue, as well as whether becoming fluent in another language might be a realistic option. Understanding a different language may offer eventual employment as a private tutor or teacher, or it might lead to lucrative work as an interpreter or translator. Interpreters are often in the public spotlight alongside major political figures, and free college language courses online might be the start of a future career in international politics.

There are free college language classes online that focus on linguistics, as well as other classes that focus on education, globalization, and speaking and critical listening skills. Having strong knowledge of knowledge can even offer diverse employment opportunities as a children's book writer, a blogger, or a tour guide.

Latin American Studies

Latin American studies is a topic that may be applicable to international businesspeople, as well as individuals who have ancestors with Latin American roots. Free online college Latin American studies courses may offer details on the politics and economies of Latin America, as well as the cultural and language differences across the region. The growing economic importance of Latin America makes studying the culture, business, and history of the region increasingly important.

It's interesting to note that free online college Latin American studies classes aren't simply about Spanish-speaking people. Some of the interesting topics of study offered include those on Creole peoples, the people of the Caribbean, and the Portuguese language. Free college Latin American courses online may also feature ancillary topics like women's studies and linguistics.

Taking free college Latin American classes online may prove beneficial to casual learners who have a personal interest in Latin America, as well as anyone who wants to augment their career with a Bachelor of Arts or Master of Arts degree. Advanced study may feature courses in anthropology, history, economics, political science, and geography. In advanced Latin American studies classes, students may also experience introductions to a variety of languages used throughout the area.

Leadership

A degree in leadership may lead to work in just about every facet of the business world with jobs as business consultants, finance and insurance salespeople, manufacturing consultants, and marketers available to graduates. Starting with free online college leadership courses may help future businesspeople decide what type of team they might want to lead, as well as what type of industry they might want to enter after completing their education.

The concept of leadership is rather general as it applies to business, but free online college leadership classes can offer students a wealth of information on vital topics. It's not just the business world where students may be able to employ their leadership skills. Topics frequently under discussion in free college leadership courses online include gender in the workplace, negotiation, communication for managers, and team building.

Those who venture into complete degree programs may eventually find work as management analysts, project coordinators, insurance underwriters, or sales managers. Free college leadership classes online may also help students find work as industrial production managers or human resources managers. Taking free classes may even help a student decide whether he or she wishes to pursue an advanced degree in an area like organizational leadership or business administration.

Legal Studies

The law is an incredibly dense and complex area of study, and there are quite a few educational routes students can take when they want to work in some facet of the legal system. There is the traditional path that leads from law school to work as an attorney, as well as the route of taking free online college legal studies courses that lead to work as legal representatives, financial experts, business, and social justice environments.

Taking free online college legal studies classes can help future lawyers decide what type of specialization they might want to pursue in law school. Some of the law degree specializations available include those in business law, criminal law, Frist Amendment law, and intellectual property law. Free college legal studies courses online can also introduce students to health care law, environmental law, and Constitutional law.

Prospective legal studies students should note that a Juris Doctor law degree isn't the only route to working in the legal field. Free college legal studies classes online may also help students eventually pursue a Master of Laws, Master of Dispute Resolution, or Doctor of Judicial Science degree. Law degrees usually require years of study, so it may help a future lawyer to take free law classes before committing to a lengthy college program.

Linguistics

One of the fascinating aspects of earning a degree in linguistics or taking free online college linguistics courses is the fact that the skills learned in linguistics classes can be used in traditional linguistics professions, as well as other industries across the business spectrum. The study of linguistics may lead to work as a lexicographer or speech & language therapist, as well as a foreign language teacher or a copy editor.

Free online college linguistics classes may feature lessons on the structure of language, modal logic, psycholinguistics, and language acquisition. Other topics under discussion may include language processing, the physiology of speech, and speech communication. Taking free college linguistics courses online in these areas may prepare students for work as instructors, computational linguists, cryptologists, and lecturers. Other jobs may include those as an associate linguist, Spanish linguist, analytical linguist, or screener linguist.

Some of the other interesting topics that might be on the table in free college linguistics classes online include phonetics, phonology, semantics, typography, and the acoustics of speech. Phonology is the relationship that exists between the sounds made during speech. Meanwhile, phonetics is the study of speech sounds and the classifications made by linguistics to describe how different letters and sounds are formed in speech.

Literature

Students who earn degrees in literature and take free online college literature courses often work as teachers, professors, and instructors of literature. However, knowledge of different literature subjects may also lead to work as a novel writer, a historian, a poet, or an anthropologist who focuses on the written word. Some of the free online college literature classes available today are in-depth studies on famous books and feature novels like "Dracula" by Bram Stoker and "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde.

Other free college literature courses online are offered on novels like "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain and "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte. Outside of the study of specific literary works, there are also many free classes available on topics like narrative ethics, communication skills, managerial communication, and advanced writing.

Individuals who choose to earn a degree in literature or exhaust all of their options in free college literature classes online may work as literary managers or English teachers, and free classes may help students who don't yet have degrees find internships with well-known literary or publishing companies. Literature studies is an interesting option to study whether a student's end goal is to earn a degree or to simply become more learned on the subject.

Management

Earning a degree in business is the most popular option for modern college students, but further study is usually required for students who want to work in management. Free online college management courses can help working professionals gain the experience they need to advance their careers, as well as help them figure out whether pursuing a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in management is an appropriate course of action.

Some of the interesting topics covered in the free online college management classes from MIT and Stanford include management communication, managerial psychology, technology management, and game theory. Other topics for discussion include managing global integration, global health and the markets, business negotiation, and competitive decision-making. Enrollees may also take free college management courses online on employee performance, applied economics, technology strategy, management in scientific environments, and personal effectiveness coaching.

A sampling of jobs that may be available to students who complete free college management classes online includes those of project manager, director of operations management, health care management director, and material program manager. After taking management courses, future managers may be able to find work in virtually any industry, from telecommunications and information technology to aerospace and sustainable development.

Marketing

Students who are interested in a business career may want to consider marketing as their focus. Free online college marketing courses are generally taught from the point of view of business, and degree programs are often styled as business degrees with a concentration in marketing. Some of the topics a student may pursue in a marketing class include entrepreneurial marketing, marketing management, pricing, and product design.

Other topics that students may explore in free online college marketing classes include product development, breakthrough products, developing business services, and managing innovation. The potential salary for students who not only earn a bachelor's degree in a marketing specialty but also earn a master's degree is more than $134,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational employment and wages report for marketing professionals.

Marketing professionals who take free college marketing courses online may eventually manage large companies or enterprises, deal with computer systems and related systems, or manage scientific and technical consulting businesses. Other industries where marketing students and those who take free college marketing classes online may work include the oil & gas industry, companies that deal with money and financial assets, the motion picture industry, and scientific research & development companies.

Materials Science and Engineering

Materials science is sometimes known as computational materials science, and individuals who take free online college materials science and engineering courses learn how materials perform under various conditions and how those materials might succeed or fail under certain circumstances. Some of the disciplines investigated include metallurgy, solid-state physics, ceramics, and chemistry.

Topics discussed in free online college materials science & engineering classes include photovoltaics, thermodynamics, the history of materials science, and organic chemistry. Students in materials engineering classes may also study nanomechanics, materials processing, biomaterial chemistry, and the mechanical behavior of materials. Free college materials science and engineering courses online even delve into subjects like welding, physical metallurgy, and magnetic materials. After graduating with a degree in materials science, students may qualify for a wide range of research and science jobs.

Some of the job titles that students may obtain after they study materials science include organic chemist, electronic materials engineer, additive manufacturing materials engineer, and solid-state scientist. Free college materials science & engineering classes online may also lead to eventual work as a packaging engineer, a materials informatics researcher, or a process technician. Materials science and engineering graduates may also look for jobs in higher education as members of college faculty.

Mathematics

There might be no more complex and diverse subject studied at the college level than mathematics, and free online college mathematics courses cover topics as common as probability and statistics and as complex as differential equations and linear algebra. Anyone who enjoys mathematics can find a topic that will fascinate them in college-level math classes.

Not only can students pursue topics like calculus and statistical physics in free online college mathematics classes, but there are also options to study game theory, street-fighting mathematics, and basic algebra. Other interesting topics include differential geometry, topology, and arithmetic geometry. There are even free college mathematics courses online with focuses like number theory where students will learn about primes, quadratic reciprocity, irrational numbers, and continued fractions, as well as many other mathematical concepts.

Mathematics classes online aren't relegated solely to straightforward mathematical concepts, however. There are interesting free college mathematics classes online that combine mathematics with other disciplines. For example, a student may enroll in a class that uses mathematics and algorithms to examine generative music. Students may also find several classes that offer lessons on the intersection of mathematics and engineering, systems analysis, drawing, and physics. There are further classes that use math to examine atmospheric models, oceanographic models, economics, and time.

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering is a discipline that takes physics and mathematics, as well as materials science, and uses those areas of study to create mechanical systems. Free online college mechanical engineering courses introduce students to some of the oldest engineering concepts in existence, as well as forward-thinking concepts that concern the future of engineering. Those with an interest in mechanical engineering may begin with a basic class in engineering mechanics and continue with classes on solid mechanics, structural engineering, and modeling dynamics.

There are also some free online college mechanical engineering classes on fun topics like toy product design, as well as those that are perfect for curious minds like the class on why and how machines work from MIT. Further topics that students may learn about in free college mechanical engineering courses online include fluid dynamics, feedback control systems, heat and mass transfer, and robotics.

Those who apply themselves to a full degree program in mechanical engineering may qualify for many fascinating jobs in industries like space tourism, aerospace, and electric vehicles. Free college mechanical engineering classes online may represent the start of a lifelong love of learning about engineering, and they may eventually allow a student to pursue higher education at a traditional university.

Media Studies

Media studies is a wide-ranging and interdisciplinary major where students can pursue free online college media studies courses in areas like art, digital media, marketing, sound, film, software engineering, culture, and philosophy. Not only can students learn about the basics of the programs and processes used to deliver artistic content like art, video, and music, but they can also learn about advanced subjects like internet technology, globalization, and the cultures of various countries.

There are free online college media studies classes that feature lessons on the culture and society of India, as well as the images and representations of Asia within the modern world. Students may also take classes on the culture of Germany, and how the printed word was brought into the digital world over the past half-millennium. Students can even find introductory classes in free college media studies courses online that offer lessons on the basics of television, film, literature, and music.

Media studies is an ideal topic for students to study if they are interested in informal learning that isn't necessarily tied to a traditional degree program. Free college media studies classes online are a great place to start for anyone who feels the creative spark and wants to learn more about the various ways people communicate using modern media.

Medical Imaging

Medical imaging professionals may work as diagnostic medical sonographers, cardiovascular technologists, or vascular technologists.Free online college medical imaging courses are an excellent place to start for anyone who wants to work as a medical imaging professional because entry-level work only requires an associate degree, which can be earned in just a few years. Students who take free online college medical imaging classes may decide to attend a local community college after finishing all of the available online classes in medical imaging.

There are also some advanced classes in medical imaging that are available as free college medical imaging courses online that might prove valuable for people who already work in the medical imaging field and want to gain experience that may allow them to seek out high paying jobs. Topics studied in medical imaging classes include nuclear magnetic resonance, biomedical image processing, and functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Jobs available to students who complete free college medical imaging classes online and eventually complete their certificate, associate degree, or diploma include staff radiologist, imaging clinical assistant, x-ray tech, physicist assistant, or MRI technologist. Advanced medical imaging professionals commonly need certification, and students in medical imaging classes online may want to investigate the steps necessary for gaining certification in their state of residence.

Medicine

The advent of free online college medicine courses has made it possible for students with a dream of working in medicine to enroll in classes that they might take if they were actually enrolled in medical school. Becoming a doctor is one of the most difficult options in higher education, and the process takes more than a decade to complete.

The rigors of study in medical school aren't for everyone, but free online college medicine classes may give students the opportunity to learn about advanced medical topics without actually devoting their lives to medicine and school. Free college medicine courses online can also help young students who are thinking about attending medical school decide whether the subject is one they want to pursue in higher education.

Topics that are available in free college medicine classes online include mobile health, patient engagement design, medical education in the modern era, and surgical improvements. Students may also enroll in classes on cancer clinical trials, the examination of ultrasonography, and optimization of antimicrobial practices. Classes in medicine may help health care workers with job titles like medical assistant or certified medical assistant advance their careers and earn higher salaries through increased knowledge of advanced medical topics.

Medicine & Health

Students who enroll in free online college medicine and health courses have the opportunity to take valuable classes on child nutrition and cooking, which can prove beneficial for those who want to enroll in college degree programs in various areas of health care, as well parents who are interested in learning about how their children's eating patterns can affect their long-term health and wellness.

There are fascinating yet unfortunate changes that have occurred within the culture of eating in the past several decades, and free online college medicine & health classes are an important way to examine how things like processed foods have dramatically changed the dietary world. Students in free college medicine and health courses online from Stanford may find the lessons on dietary intake and contemporary child nutrition valuable for research, educational, and real-life applications.

Other topics that students may study in free college medicine & health classes online include international women's health & human rights, as well as philanthropic giving and its impact on health. Students will get to examine important issues like the ability of women across the world to exercise their human rights, as well as their access to education and the inequity of health care and income.

Mental Health

The topic of mental health is one that is frequently discussed on daytime television, in weekly television shows, and in pop culture, but it wasn't always as visible as it has become in recent years. Free online college mental health courses may prove beneficial to students who want to work as therapists, psychologists, counselors, or other mental health workers but haven't yet started their official degree programs.

Some of the topics that students may study in free online college mental health classes include physical intelligence, psychiatric disorders, and autism theory. One of the interesting facets of working in mental health is that there are jobs available at virtually every level of education. Many types of employment require certification of some kind, but there are many ways to begin working in mental health facilities soon after completing free college mental health courses online.

Some of the jobs that students may pursue in mental health include those of mental health clinician, mental health worker, psychiatric technician, mental health therapist, and community health organizers. Free college mental health classes online may also help students begin their road toward certification and a job like a certified nursing assistant or licensure and a job like licensed professional mental health counselor.

Middle Eastern Studies

The politics, history, and society of the Middle East is a fascinating topic for study in free online college Middle Eastern studies courses, and topics that students may encounter online include the politics of reconstructing Iraq, the politics of the Middle East, and the conflicts of the Middle East. Students in free online college Middle Eastern studies classes may also learn about anthropology in the region, as well as the history and development of Islam as a major religion in the Middle East.

There are people who spend years of their lives studying the region of the Middle East, and there are programs that offer undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees, but free college Middle Eastern studies courses online might be the place to start for anyone interested in learning more about a volatile yet fascinating area of the planet. Learning about the Middle East might inspire a student to eventually begin studying one of the Arabic languages.

One of the neat opportunities that may be offered to students who start with free college Middle Eastern studies classes online and continue into traditional college classes is an internship that takes place abroad in a Middle Eastern country. Opportunities may be available to study in countries like Turkey, Egypt, Israel, the UAE, or Jordan.

Music

Studying music in college offers students an opportunity to graduate with all sorts of amazing opportunities to perform, create music, and teach. Free online college music courses are offered in areas that are great for casual learners, as well as on subjects that can help future composers and performers decide where they want to focus their energies. Some of the areas of specialization include musical composition, early music, western music, symphonies and concertos, and the anthropology of sound.

Further topics available for study in free online college music classes include harmony and counterpoint, musical improvisation, and composing with computers. Students who took music classes when they were in grammar school or once played an instrument in a school band or orchestra can take free college music courses online and regain the skills they once had in reading music, as well as learn about areas of music that they may never have studied while in school.

One of the interesting options that students have when studying online is learning about modern music composition and the use of computers in music composition. Free college music classes online can help future digital composers become familiar with electronic music composition, as well as the recording techniques and audio production standards needed in modern music.

This directory is published in three parts. You are reading Part 2 (F–M: Finance–Music). Continue with Part 1: A–E (Accounting–European and Russian Studies) and Part 3: N–Z (Nanotechnology–Writing).