13 Best Free Harvard Online Courses (2024)

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Harvard University is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, and its free online courses are no exception. It offers a wide variety of free online courses on various topics, including computer science, business, health, and the humanities.

Not all of us get the chance to get admitted to the world’s finest universities. However, we can still take advantage of free Harvard courses and learn valuable skills from renowned professors. 

We have selected the 13 best Harvard free online courses for you in this article, along with the eligibility requirements and subjects covered in the free course. 

Top 13 Free Online Harvard Courses (2024)

Before we go into the details, here is a quick overview of the Best Free Online Courses in Harvard you should consider in 202$.

Sr NoFree online Harvard CoursesBest for Ratings
1CS50’s Computer Science For Business ProfessionalsBest for project managers and business professionals. 4.8/5
2CS50’s Computer Science For LawyersBest for law students looking for knowledge into legal opinions and arguments.4.5/5
3Masterpieces Of World Literature Best for understanding literacy and its technological advancements. 4.7/5
4The Health Effects Of Climate ChangeBest for a general overview of climate change and its impact. 4.3/5
5Religion Conflict and PeaceBest for understanding culture and religions. 4.6/5
6CS50 Introduction To Game DevelopmentBest for game designing.4.8/5
7Entrepreneurship In Emerging EconomiesBest for business owners and entrepreneurs. 4.4/5
8CS50’s Introduction To Programming With PythonLearning programming with Python.4.6/5
9The Architectural ImaginationBest for art and architecture. 4.9/5
10Principles of Biochemistry Best for biochemistry students. 4.3/5
11Global Health Case Studies from a Biosocial PerspectiveBest for case studies over the biosocial perspective.4.9/5
12Exercising Leadership: Foundational PrinciplesBest for leadership and communication. 4.5/5
134P Model for Strategic Leadership PodcastsBest for building strategies for effective leadership. 4.4/5

Harvard offers more than 145 free online courses through various online learning platforms.

Now that you have a glimpse of these courses, let’s discuss them in detail below!

1. CS50’s Computer Science For Business Professionals. 

DurationSix weeks long
Time commitment per week2-6 hours per week
Difficulty levelIntroductory
PlatformedX

The CS50’s computer science course for business professionals is designed for founders, managers, project managers, etc. This free course by Harvard improves your technical decision-making skills. Furthermore, it helps you learn programming languages, internet technologies, cloud computing, technology stacks, and many more computer-related essential skills to increase your efficiency and boost your confidence in topics related to IT and management.

Harvard Free Online Courses - Computer Science For Business Professionals

2. CS50’s Computer Science For Lawyers

DurationTen weeks long
Time commitment per week6 hours per week
Difficulty levelIntroductory
PlatformedX

The CS50’s computer Science for lawyers course by Harvard is designed for law students seeking some technology-informed knowledge for legal opinions and arguments. Moreover, you learn various factors related to cybersecurity, cryptography, etc. You also know about computational thinking, networking, privacy, SQL, Python, etc., making you confident in dealing with a broader range of client issues.

CS50's Computer Science For Lawyers

3. Masterpieces Of World Literature 

Duration12 weeks long
Time commitment per week7 hours per week
Difficulty levelIntroductory
PlatformedX

If you are looking forward to learning the history of world literature, then this course is the one for you. Masterpieces of world literature give an in-depth knowledge of The writers who have helped us understand the deep roots of today’s culture, taking the border world as a theme. Furthermore, it will explain the significance of significant technological advances in writing. By the end of this course, you will have a clear view of how to analyze literary works critically.

Masterpieces Of World Literature 

4. The Health Effects Of Climate Change

DurationSeven weeks long
Time commitment per week5 hours per week
Difficulty levelIntroductory
PlatformedX

Harvard’s course named the health effect of climate change gives you free knowledge of the essential and trendy health and medicine topics. You learn the impact of climate change on nutrition migration and infectious diseases. 

Furthermore, you get aware of the changes in the earth’s atmosphere affecting your health, and most importantly, you learn the strategies to adapt to and migrate to the health impacts of climate change. 

The Health Effects Of Climate Change

The health effect of climate change also showcases the methods of research used to give you a better understanding of topics. Our planet is slowly becoming a place where human existence would become difficult. If you are an environmentalist or curious about your surroundings, then going for this course is a good decision.

5. Religion Conflict and Peace

DurationEight weeks long
Time commitment per week4-8 hours per week
Difficulty levelIntroductory
PlatformedX

What is the role of religion in maintaining peace in society? What role does religion play in the conflicts in society? If these questions roll in your head, then the religious strife and peace course at Harvard is the one to go for. Be ready to learn how religions evolve and change and how they are internally diverse. 

Religion Conflict and Peace

Additionally, you will learn how beliefs are embedded in all human cultures. in this course, you will learn about different religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, to get a deep knowledge of the topic through their scripture series.

6. CS50 Introduction To Game Development

Duration12 weeks long
Time commitment per week6-9 hours per week
Difficulty levelIntermediate
PlatformedX

If you are wondering about designing your own game and wish to gain a deep knowledge of game design and development, then enroll in Harvard’s accessible CS50 Introduction to game development course. Additionally, you will understand the basics of game design and development with essential computer languages like Lua and C#. 

CS50 Introduction To Game Development

Furthermore, you will also get an understanding of 2D and 3D graphics, animation, sound, and collision detection. The fun part here is you will explore the designs of your favorite games, including Angry Birds, Match 3, super Mario brown, etc.

7. Entrepreneurship In Emerging Economies

DurationSix Weeks Long
Time Commitment Per Week3-5 Hours Per Week
Difficulty LevelIntroductory
PlatformedX

Harvard Business School Professor named Tarun Khanna teaches this business course where you can learn everything about entrepreneurship in this emerging economies. In this course, the professor addresses problems that are arising in emerging markets, how to put smart entrepreneurial efforts into business, and how to solve a problem. You will learn to be aware of opportunities for entrepreneurship and understand the conceptual framework to evaluate these opportunities.

Entrepreneurship In Emerging Economies

8. CS50’s Introduction To Programming With Python

Duration10 weeks long
Time commitment per week3-9 hours per week
Difficulty levelIntroductory
PlatformedX

CS50’s introduction to programming with Python course focuses on general programming purposes, web programming, data science, and more. You will learn everything about Python and write & read code with ease. This course is great for those who already have knowledge of programming and want to learn Python specifically.

CS50's Introduction to Programming with Python

The instructor of this course, David J. Malan, teaches you everything about libraries, variables, functions, loops, regular expressions, unit tests, etc.

9. The Architectural Imagination

Duration10 weeks long
Time commitment per week3-5 hours per week
Difficulty levelBeginner 
PlatformedX

Here is something for you if you love something in art and architecture. This course is all about how Architecture engages culture’s deepest values. 

It talks about how to understand architecture in a cultural expression and technical achievement. From the ideal of architectural imagination and components of architecture to its power of representation, this covers all the in-depth components of architecture.

The Architectural Imagination

It is instructed by expert architecture instructors from Harvard University. You will be able to read, analyze, and understand the various forms of architectural representation. 

Though the course is free to audit, you can get the verified certificate from Harvard University for $259.

10. Principles of Biochemistry 

Duration15 weeks long
Time commitment per week4-6 hours per week
Difficulty levelIntermediate 
PlatformedX

If biochemistry is something that interests you, then this is something you should check. Instructed by experts, this course explores the molecules of life, starting from building blocks to culminating in complex metabolism. 

It provides an in-depth walkthrough on how to navigate protein structure using PyMOL. You will be introduced to the complete structure of macromolecules and a biochemical approach to cellular function. 

This course helps you understand the complete framework of metabolic complexity from red blood cells to more complex tissues.

Along with different principles of biochemistry, you will also develop problem-solving and analytical skills that are applicable to the life sciences.

11. Global Health Case Studies from a Biosocial Perspective

DurationSelf-paced 
Time commitment per week4-5 hours per week
Difficulty levelBeginner level 
PlatformedX

“Global Health Case Studies from a Biosocial Perspective” aims to provide an introductory global health course that frames global health’s collection of problems and actions within a particular biosocial perspective.

This course develops a toolkit of interdisciplinary analytical approaches. It also talks about using them to examine historical and contemporary global health initiatives with careful attention to a critical sociology of knowledge. 

Global Health Case Studies from a Biosocial Perspective

It is taught by four physician-anthropologists who draw on their experience in investigating what the field of global health comprises, how global health problems are defined and constructed, and how global health interventions play out in both expected and unexpected ways.

The course is designed for students interested in global health and wanting to learn how to approach global health problems from a biosocial perspective. It is also suitable for professionals who work in the field of global health and want to expand their knowledge and skills

12. Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles

DurationSelf-paced
Time commitment per week2-3 hours per week
Difficulty levelIntroductory
PlatformedX

Now, coming to something into leadership, this course aims to equip you with the strategies for leading in a changing world where adaptive pressures will continue to challenge all of us.

The course covers various topics related to leadership, including how to approach conflict, build trust relationships, and implement personal strategies for surviving and thriving amidst change. 

Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles

As a leader, you need to be able to identify complex challenges and develop solutions that address the root causes of the problems.

With this course, you will understand the role of authority and how to use it effectively. You will also understand how it is important to build trusting relationships with your followers. 

By the end, you will discover new ways to approach complex organizational systems and take thoughtful action on the work we all face ahead. 

13. 4P Model for Strategic Leadership Podcasts

DurationSelf-paced
Time commitment per week
Difficulty levelIntroductory
PlatformExecutive Education 

The 4P Model for Strategic Leadership Podcasts is a series of four podcasts discussing the 4P framework and the four most important domains of great leadership. 

These four domains are Perception, Process, People, and Projection. Podcasts are packed with valuable insights and practical advice that can help you to become a more effective leader. 

4P Model for Strategic Leadership Podcasts

Each podcast focuses on one of the four Ps, providing practical tips and advice that you can apply immediately.

You will understand the importance of self-awareness and self-reflection. 

Effective leaders must be able to understand their own strengths and weaknesses, and they must be able to build relationships with others. The 4P Model for Strategic Leadership Podcasts provides valuable insights into these critical areas.

What Are The Subjects Offered in Free Online Courses at Harvard?

There are several subjects offered in free online courses at Harvard. Look at them below.

  • Science
  • Social science
  • Humanities
  • Mathematics
  • Health & medicine
  • Education and teaching
  • Business
  • Art and design
  • Data science
  • Programming

Eligibility Criteria For Enrollment in Free Online Harvard Courses.

The eligibility criteria for enrollment in free Harvard online courses are very flexible. Please have a look at it below.

  • The student can belong to any gender, nationality, ethnicity, or religion.
  • Anyone (teacher, student, professional, IT expert, etc.) from anywhere in the world can apply.
  • You can be of any educational level.
  • Students must be 18 or above.
  • A language proficiency certificate is not required.

If you are curious, you can explore other courses we have curated.

Summing Up! Top Free Courses In Harvard

This was for the free Harvard online courses. All of the free Harvard courses described above will help you obtain some additional information to enhance your IQ and increase your efficiency at work by sharpening your abilities. 

If you are overwhelmed with the list, here are our top recommendations:

  • CS50’s Computer Science For Business Professionals: Best for project managers and business professionals. 
  • Masterpieces Of World Literature: Best for understanding literacy
  • Global Health Case Studies from a Biosocial Perspective: Best for case studies over the biosocial perspective.

If you want to offer evidence of your enrollment in Harvard online courses, you can obtain a certificate for these courses.

Let us know which Harvard free online course you’re most looking forward to taking in the comments below.

FAQs

Can I get a certificate for free courses at Harvard?

Yes, you can get a certificate from free courses at Harvard, but you have to pay some money to get those certificates; unlike free knowledge, the certificates at Harvard are paid for.

Do free Harvard courses count for credit?

The edX certificates do not count for regular Harvard credit, and edX is not a part of the extension school.

Is the edX certificate valid?

The verified certificate from edX proves a course’s successful completion to potential employers, schools, or institutions.

Is HarvardX the same as Harvard?

HarvardX is a part of Harvard or a specific branch of the online platform edX.

Alvin Parker

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