They say it is never too late to pursue your dreams. This is especially true when it comes to career and education. Unfortunately, not all can afford to quit their jobs and go back to school. This can make it difficult to pursue higher studies or certain courses that can enhance skills. Fortunately, there are several free online learning platforms that allow anyone and everyone to be able to have access to good quality learning resources.

Here are some of the best websites for free online education that you can sign up for.

Coursera
Coursera is one of the most popular platforms for taking free online courses. It features classes, both free as well as paid, on a variety of different topics. This platform is currently being used by over 35 million learners that have access to 150 university partners, 2,700 courses, 250 specializations, and four degrees. These courses are curated in partnership with leading universities and organizations from around the world, such as Stanford and Harvard.

edX
edX is a platform that was founded by Harvard and MIT that brings together top-ranked universities. This platform was founded to help eliminate the primary barriers that prevent people from pursuing education, i.e., cost, location, and access. Along with free courses, edX also offers certain specialized courses for a specific fee. The platform can be accessed by interested educators and technologists through Open edX if they wish to assist in developing new educational tools.

Udemy
Udemy is another online learning platform that is quite similar to Coursera in terms of the format of the courses. The unique aspect of this platform is that it allows users to build their own custom courses by compiling individual lessons so that these can be taught online. There are over 100,000 courses in 50 languages on this platform that are taught by 42,000 instructors from around the world.

TED-Ed
TED-Ed is a platform made by TED to help share ideas and knowledge from teachers to students. This award-winning platform has a global network of more than 250,000 teachers that teach several free courses on a variety of categories and themes. The lessons are taught using animated videos and interactive content so as to make them more interesting for the students.

If you are planning to pursue an accounting degree, you should consider doing it online. There are more than 580 institutions in the country that offer master’s degrees in accounting, and many of them offer their courses online. Therefore, you can pursue this course without shifting to a different state, and you can also continue with your current job. Here are the top picks of online master’s degrees in accounting that you can consider if you are interested in this field.

Auburn University
The online master’s degree in accounting at Auburn University is open for you if you hold a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business, and if you meet all the prerequisites for the business and accounting department. Students who enroll in this program receive study materials, instructions, and assignments that are similar to the on-campus course. The schedule is extremely flexible and can accommodate working professionals as well. Full-time students of this course can complete it within one year. They get to select electives like real estate finance and information risk analysis, among others. This course also prepares students for the Uniform CPA Exam. This whole program is available online, including the exam. However, students have to complete a three-day on-campus residency during their final semester.

University of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina offers an online Master of Accounting (MAC) degree through its Kenan-Flagler Business School. This school accepts students from all undergraduate backgrounds. However, students who have business or accounting backgrounds may get course waivers. Students who enroll in this course can choose a concentration in Tax or Audit. If you take up the full-time course, you can finish it in less than 15 months. You can start this course either in June or December. This way, even if you miss the application deadline for one semester, you do not have to wait for an entire year to enroll in the course. The MAC degree is entirely online, except for a one-week leadership immersion on campus, which is mandatory and takes place at the beginning of the course.

University of Connecticut
An online master’s degree in accounting from the University of Connecticut is one of the best online courses in the country. This university offers a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program. Full-time students can complete it in two semesters. Working professionals who enroll in this degree take two courses per semester. The University of Connecticut also offers you electives like Forensic Accounting, Disclosure for Not-for-Profit Entities, and Fraud Examination among others.

If you are looking to pursue a career in business, it is imperative that you enroll in a good MBA program and earn a degree with excellent scores. Many universities in the country offer full-time MBAs in various subjects. Depending on what you want to study and your undergraduate course, you can pick the right MBA program for you. Following are the top-ranking universities in the country that offer some of the best MBA programs in the world.

Harvard University – Full-time MBA
Harvard University is one of the best universities in the world, and the MBA programs offered by them are excellent. At Harvard, you can pursue an MBA program in Consulting, Entrepreneurship, Accounting, Economics, E-Commerce, Finance, Health Care Management, and many more fields. The tuition fee for a full-time MBA at Harvard is around $72,000 per year, and according to the university, almost 78.90% of graduates find immediate employment after they complete the course.

University of Chicago (Booth School of Business) – Full-time MBA
The Booth School of Business offers full-time MBA programs at the University of Chicago. Here you can find various subjects and concentrations like Finance, General Management, Accounting, Economics, Marketing, Management Information Systems, Public Policy, and many other courses. The MBA program from this university is highly acclaimed, and students graduating from here have excellent career prospects. The tuition fee for the full-time MBA program at this university is around $69,200 per year, and according to recent statistics, 88% of all students find employment immediately after graduation.

University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) – Full-time MBA
The University of Pennsylvania is one of the top institutions in the country, and it is well-known outside the country as well. The Wharton School of Business at this university is famous for accepting students from all corners of the world. These students come here to study the subjects of their choice within the business arena. Some of the top concentrations offered in the MBA program here are Human Resource Management, General Management, Economics, Finance, Health Care Administration, Insurance, and International Business, among others. The tuition fee for a full-time MBA course at Wharton is around $70,200 per year, and the employment rate for students after graduation is 82.30%.

If you are planning to pursue an MBA, you should definitely consider these programs. You’re sure to have a bright future in the field of business after graduating from these universities.

Online certifications are a great way to enhance your knowledge and add to your existing educational degrees. In the country, thousands of students choose to improve their educational qualifications with a certificate course every year. These online certification programs let students qualify in a subject without spending as much time as is required for a traditional certificate course. Many universities across the country offer online certifications, and you will find a certification program for almost all subjects. Here are three of the best online certification programs in the country.

Certificate in Finance and Technology Program – Certificate in Finance and Technology
This degree gives technology professionals from asset management, banking, and insurance sectors a clear understanding of the business where they work. Industry experts have designed the Certificate in Finance and Technology Program. It uses cutting-edge technology to help students gain the knowledge that they need to perform well and excel in their industry. This course helps students develop a strong foundation. It instills a sense of confidence in students and boosts the trajectory of their careers.

Certified Expert in Microfinance – Frankfurt School of Finance and Management
This course is tailored to train and certify loan officers and microfinance practitioners. It is ideal for students and working professionals who are interested in microfinance. The contents of this course can help students achieve personal career goals as they gain advanced knowledge in subjects like micro-insurance, micro-credits, and micro savings. Working professionals also learn about the risks involved in the business that they work for, and they learn to implement sales and marketing strategies. They will also gain knowledge about human resource management, performance management, and financial performance management.

Edge Online: Business Foundations – UCLA Anderson Executive Education
The goal of this online certification program is to get a clear picture of the concepts and strategies behind global businesses. In this course, working professionals learn about the fundamental concepts of business and management of the industry that they belong to. Students gain knowledge about how the fundamental principles of business work together and how to utilize them in real-life situations. This course is divided into three parts, which are Operations and Finance, Marketing and Managerial Leadership, and Strategy and Organizations. With this certificate, students gain an edge over other professionals because of their in-depth knowledge and clear concepts of various businesses.

While some people cannot afford it, others have additional jobs that do not allow them to enroll in conventional education systems. However, there are plenty of fields where you can pursue your education online without deviating from your usual schedule. Here are some of the most popular accredited colleges with online degree programs for journalism aspirants:

• Abraham Lincoln University
  Accredited by Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), the Abraham Lincoln University is a private institution offering a communication and writing certificate to journalism aspirants. The graduation tuition is anywhere between $6,300 and $9,100 approximately. Meanwhile, the fee for undergraduates is around $7,500. However, it is the top pick on our list of accredited colleges with online degree programs in journalism.
• Bellevue University
  Bellevue University has three different online programs for journalism, and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has accredited this university. The course will cost you $415 per credit approximately for the online degree. This course builds your potential and allows you to pursue a career as an Audio-Visual and Multimedia Collections Specialist, a Human Resource (HR) Worker or an Arts, Communication, and Humanities Teacher, amongst many other choices.
• Calvary University
  The North Central Association of Colleges & Schools (NCA), Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) have accredited Calvary University. It has an approximate cost of $11,152 for the undergraduate course, and the graduate course will cost $7,932 approximately. The best choice for a journalism degree in this university is the Professional Directed Studies: Journalism and Mass Communication Program.
• Johns Hopkins University
  You can opt for an MA in Communication course offered at the Johns Hopkins University. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree and want to pursue a career in journalism, then this is indubitably a great choice for you. The only prerequisites for this program are a minimum 3.0 GPA, a Bachelor’s degree, and a history of related coursework in the program. It received accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and it is one of the most coveted institutions in the nation.
• Liberty University
  Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS COC), Liberty University offers online degree programs in the field of communication. Thus, these degrees can widen your horizons as you pursue a career in journalism. It is 100% online, and the course can last for eight weeks. It is a popular and convenient course for journalism aspirants. This accredited college also offers plenty of other online degree programs in a diverse range of fields.

Schools release closing lists to announce the days on which they will stay shut because of various reasons. These lists are also used to inform parents about any delay in school timings. Schools closing lists are usually released during bad weather conditions, national emergencies, and other situations where children would be in danger if they stepped out of their homes for school. Following are some of the reasons why schools announce closing lists. Please note that the reasons behind these closing lists vary from state to state because every state has different conditions for this.

Public holidays and celebrations
One of the most common reasons why schools release closing lists is to inform parents about the dates on which they will remain shut for state or national holidays such as Independence Day, Thanksgiving, etc. Parents need to know some of these holidays in advance to plan their day and celebrations accordingly. All schools have to release an annual list where they mention all the dates on which the school will stay closed. These lists help parents avoid a lot of confusion. They are also helpful for planning vacations in advance.

Bad weather school closing lists
When a particular city or state is experiencing bad weather, the state officials declare precautionary holidays for school children. All schools have to strictly follow these announcements made by government officials to ensure that kids stay safe in situations such as floods, storms, hot weather, and other drastic weather conditions. At such times, schools release a closing list with the number of days off and other relevant instructions, if any. Local government bodies, newspapers, and news websites also publish school closing lists. Parents are supposed to look for the school’s name in these lists.

National emergencies
On rare occasions, school closing lists are announced such as in case of national emergencies like a terrorist attack, the spread of a contagious disease, and other serious reasons that call for the temporary closure of institutions like schools.

Teacher’s strike
Again, this is a rare reason to release a school closing list. When teachers go on a strike in city, county or state, schools are forced to stay closed for a few days or until normalcy is restored. If it is a large scale strike, then the state education authorities create a school closing list and share it on relevant mediums so that parents and students are informed and updated about the situation.

Ranging from Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree, students have plenty of course options when it comes to online nursing schools. In most cases, these courses require students to complete about 120 credit hours, but it also depends on the course and the degree that you pick. Here are the top options for online nursing schools that you can consider.

• The University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing 
  Operating with fall, spring, and summer dates, the Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (RN to BSN) course is entirely online and offers you all the flexibility that you need. It also has a 94% graduation rate, and the tuition as well as admission, are guaranteed. The courses that make up this program include Health Assessment and Communication, Introduction to Nursing Informatics, Caring in Professional Nursing, etc.
• Indiana University, School of Nursing 
  Convert your Registered Nurse degree to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree with the School of Nursing at Indiana University. It is one of the best online nursing schools in the country. It requires about 120 total credits, which will cost you around $224.23 for in-state tuition per credit. The out of state fee per credit amounts to $321.34 approximately.
• Rutgers Online, Rutgers University, School of Nursing
  Another outstanding option among online nursing schools, you can undertake the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree program at this university. You need to be a registered nurse to qualify for this program. It is a great part-time choice to consider as you can continue working while expanding your knowledge and skills with this course.
• The University of Iowa, College of Nursing
  The RN to BSN course offered at the University of Iowa in the College of Nursing is one of the most popular programs at this university. You can undertake this course at your convenience. The total tuition fee for this course amounts to $13,728 approximately, and it provides you with some great opportunities to expand your career.
• Arizona State University, ASU Online
  This particular program takes 38 credit hours per course, and you have to take about ten classes in total. It would take you about seven and a half weeks per class, but it broadens your horizon for different career options. Some of the careers choices that open up for you are Certified Nurse Assistant, Critical Care Nurse, Intensive Care Nurse, Medical and Health Services Manager, and many more.

In this hectic day and age, it is challenging to adjust to the schedules given by full-time colleges. Hence, more and more people are choosing to pursue their education online, at their own time and ease. Students can easily balance their hectic schedules with these courses, and they can choose from numerous course options available online. Here are the top streams for which you can pursue an online degree program:

• Business administration
  With corporates taking over our work lives, the demand for business administration degrees has increased remarkably. Some of the best colleges offering online degree programs for Business Administration include Penn State World Campus, Isenberg School of Management program from the University of Massachusetts, Fox School of Business in Temple University, and Henry B Tippie College of Business from the University of Iowa. You can choose to pursue an online degree program in this stream from any of the aforementioned colleges.
• Criminal justice
  With the crime rates going up, the demand for criminal lawyers has increased too. Thus, becoming a criminal lawyer is a viable career option. The best universities that offer an online degree program in criminal justice include Capella University, where you can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, or you can choose a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Keiser University. The faculty here is impeccable and experienced, ensuring that you receive guidance till the beginning of your career.
• Psychology
  If you are intrigued by the human mind, then a career in psychology is a great option. Additionally, there is a lot of demand for psychologists. With a course like psychology, one needs to absorb all course topics thoroughly. The top options for psychology degrees online include University of Florida, Fort Hays State University, Oregon State University, Northeastern University, and the University of Central Florida.
• Education
  If you are passionate about imparting education in the world but do not have enough funds or time to pursue a formal degree, then you can start out by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education. The top options for this course include Arizona State University, University of Northern Iowa, Regis University, and Fort Hays State University.

All of these colleges and universities offer online degree programs in the respective fields. So, you can pick a choice depending on what you like. Online courses are affordable, and you can work as per your convenience. Thus, the flexibility of these courses makes them a great learning option.

General Educational Development (GED®) or the General Equivalency Development is a set of test groups, which comprises of four different subjects. It is equivalent to Canadian or American high school level academic skills. Following are the top online classes for GED® that you can consider. They cover four different subjects depending on the areas for which you need the most preparation.

DCS GED® Prep 
It has been in the business for the past ten years and has helped many students pass the GED® test. You can undertake the four months online course which will cost you around $65, and they will give you great material to prepare for your course. It is available in English and Spanish. Both of these languages make it one of the most popular options for online GED® classes. The best part about this course is that it is quite flexible and offers you the convenience of learning at your own pace.

Decrypting the GED
Offered by Covcell, this online program provides you with all the study material you need to pass your GED® test. You can check out the free trial to figure out whether the program works for you. Otherwise, you can choose the preparation material that you need. Under this program, there are preparation plans for Social Studies, Science, Math, and Reasoning through Language Arts (RLA) with helpful strategies.

Ed2go 
With one of the best interfaces for online GED® classes, Ed2go also offers you additional material for individual subjects. Their online mock tests help you prepare for your GED® test. The course lasts for six weeks and requires around 24 course-hours for completion. You can also opt for the instructor-led program. The course costs around $149, but it is worth the price.

Essential Education 
This portal has an entire GED® Academy dedicated to helping you with your test preparation. It amounts to roughly $15 per month for a package of six courses. This course prepares you to get a diploma for high school. It is an excellent credential that will help improve your job qualifications. Essential Education also offers test strategies that will help you get all the required preparation.

Excel High School 
Excel High School includes many online programs which are of great help to all students. The GED® Prep syllabus includes elaborate courses that last for four weeks. It covers different subjects and provides preparation material. Excel High School’s course is an excellent pick for anyone who is preparing for their GED tests.

Ever feel like a stranger in your own country because you don’t know the most popular medium of communication? Do you feel that not knowing English is keeping you from reaching your goals? Well, you need not worry about this too much. You can always choose to take English classes online and with sufficient effort and determination, you can master the language. Following are some benefits of taking online English classes.

• Learning at your convenience
  In this fast-paced world, all of us struggle to take time out for ourselves. Therefore, we let all non-mandatory things pass by. At the same time, we make promises to ourselves about picking up new endeavors soon. However, because of our clashing priorities, we rarely start on these endeavors. We face this problem with our hobbies and interests like fitness and travel, as well as with self-improving habits such as learning a new language. You can take up online English classes at your convenience and build your schedule around it. You can pick a program that fits your routine and learn English from the comfort of your home
• Meet people from different walks of life
  You may feel that you are alone in this endeavor which would make you feel discouraged and disheartened. However, with online classes, you can find different people who are on the same path as you. Thus, you will have company during this course, and this will help you reach your goal faster. You can learn a new language with like-minded people from different cultures and countries.
• Get great deals
  When you opt for a class at a reputed institution, you not only have to abide by their schedule but also pay a fixed price. Since offline English classes are not very popular, you do not have too many options either. However, with online English classes, you can find the best deals before picking one that fits your budget.
• Self-paced learning
  Another great benefit of taking online English classes is that you do not have to rush to keep up with the curriculum. You won’t feel bogged down by peers who overtake you. Instead, you can pick a pace which fits you the best. This step will ensure that you understand everything perfectly and all your concepts are clear. You won’t face any peer pressure, and you can revise each lesson as many times as you want.

All of these benefits of opting for online English classes are sure to encourage you to get started on your personal as well as professional career path.