Carnegie Mellon University

Open & Free Courses

Do you want to learn on your own?

Open & Free Courses are for independent learners and include self-guiding materials and activities that are freely available for you to use! Plus, they are available all the time so you can learn at your own pace.

No instructors, no credits, no charge.

Find a Course

We do not provide any certification or verification of completion. If you would like to receive credit or certification for completing the course, you need to make arrangements with your local institution.

Academic Courses

Did your instructor send you here?

Many institutions around the world are using OLI courses as part of their curricula. If you are taking one of these courses your instructor will provide you with a Course Key.

Join your class.

Enter Course Key

Credit for course completion will be provided by your academic institution. Academic courses include all (or part) of the materials and activities included in the Free Courses, plus a gradebook and may include tests.

Open & Free Course Academic course
Course Materials Yes Yes
Simulations, Computer Based Tutors, Virtual Laboratories, and Self-Assessments Yes Yes
Formative Feedback for Students Yes Yes
Access to an Instructor No Yes
Graded Exams No Yes
Tracks Student-Learning as Feedback for Instructors No Yes
Credit / Verification of Course Completion No Yes