Are you one of the prospective psychology majors who want to test the waters before committing to a degree program or learning psychology basics? These free online psychology courses with certificates can be of help to you. Free online psychology courses cater to students seeking a deeper understanding of specialty areas or topics outside regular classroom learning.
The good thing is that you don’t have to learn at the detect of other people’s pace. These courses use self-paced learning methods, including video lectures, assignments, quizzes, exams, online discussions, and reading materials to equip learners with adequate knowledge in special areas of psychology.
Although they don’t confer credit, they provide access to knowledge and information and also issue you a certificate of completion. Most courses use self-paced learning through video lectures, assignments, quizzes, and exams. Courses often include online discussions and reading materials. The list below is 10 of the online psychology courses with certificates.
What is Psychology?
Psychology is a study of the mind and behavior, examining how biological influences, social pressures, and environmental factors influence our thoughts, emotions, and actions. It provides insights into behaviors to improve decision-making and relationships.
As a multifaceted discipline, it includes areas such as cognitive science, neuroscience, social psychology, clinical psychology, and developmental psychology, and knowledge of these areas helps diagnose and treat mental health disorders and alleviate emotional issues like depression and anxiety.
Universities that Offer Free Psychology Courses Online with Certificates
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
- The University of Edinburgh
- Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- Monash University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Harvard university
Why you should consider these free online psychology courses
Free online courses are flexible. They give you enough time to complete your education at your own pace and location. Plus, they give you access to nationwide programs that would be unattainable without physical attendance. Chief among the reasons is that these free online courses are available at no cost.
Benefits of Online Psychology Programs
The advantages of online certificate programs are numerous. Many people would choose it over traditional classroom learning for some of those reasons. Let’s examine just 3 advantages:
- Study at you pace: Online certification offers a flexible learning option, allowing individuals to work at their own pace and advance in their careers. With access to all online resources round-the-clock, it provides a flexible and flexible learning experience, enhancing job advancement.
- Shorter time frame: Certification courses can be completed in a few months, often within six to eight weeks. Online diploma programs take longer to complete than certificate programs, but can be completed faster by choosing longer sessions and heavier workloads.
- Online Certificates are affordable: Online certificate programs are affordable and flexible, offering qualifications that enhance workplace value without reducing current earning potential. They don’t require work to attend, making them a viable option for those seeking higher education.
How to effectively take an online Psychology course
To succeed in an online program, it is essential to approach the course as if it were a real course, with commitment and discipline. Remember that you paid for the course and should approach it like a face-to-face course. It is crucial for you to develop time management skills to ensure you don’t get crammed in or perform subpar work before class.
Also, endeavour to establish a regular study area and maintain organization by choosing a workspace that works best for you. One of the key things that will ensure you have a seamless online class is internet. So, ensure that you have a fast internet connection and keep all relevant information, documents, forms, schedules, books, and active tasks organized.
To get the most out of online psychology courses, you must take distractions away. I mean, take away anything that you know would distract you. Commonest among them is social media. and set aside time for concentration. Some people find music helpful, while others may work at a nearby coffee shop or library.
Also, set objectives at the start of the semester and adher to them regularly. If you struggle with self-discipline, team up with a classmate or ask a partner or acquaintance to serve as a reminder and sounding board.
Participate in the online discussion board to connect with peers and gain a deeper understanding of the course materials. Ask questions about projects or remark on fellow students’ performance in panel discussions. Read what other students and their teachers are saying and seek clarification if needed. By following these tips, you can maximize the benefits of an online program.
Online Platforms that Offer Free Psychology Courses with Certificates
Among others, these online platforms offer free psychology courses with certificates:
- Coursera
- Class Central
- EdX
- eLearning College
- Notta
- Intelligent.com
- Futurelearn.com
- Alison
- Khan Academy
10 Free Online Psychology Courses with Certificates
1. Psychological First Aid (PFA)
Psychological First Aid (PFA) is a crisis intervention model that supports post-traumatic recovery. It is based on human adaptability and is offered by Coursera and Johns Hopkins Open Education Lab. The course covers emergency psychological aid using the RAPID model, which is adaptable to various settings like public health, work environments, community disasters, and suicide threats.
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Topics covered include effective listening, psychological triage, and self-care practices.
2. Social Psychology Network
Coursera’s free Wesleyan University course explores human behavior research, including evolution of preferences, environmental protection, decision-making, and health promotion. The 26-hour course includes lectures, readings, and assignments, with free Social Psychology Network membership for certificate students. Students can complete assignments at their own pace.
3. Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Understanding attention deficit hyperactivity is an online psychology course offered by Open Learn. This course explores ADHD from the perspective of those diagnosed, covering risk factors, brain changes, key terms, and characteristics.
The course covers life with ADHD, neurobiology, and current treatments and therapies. The 12-hour self-paced course includes video lectures, quizzes, and activities, and offers a free statement of participation upon completion.
4. Forensic Psychology
Online forensic psychology courses by future learn are designed to equip learners with the knowledge and skills needed to understand the human mind from a legal perspective. These courses cover topics such as witness investigations and murder investigation.
By acquiring these skills, learners can bridge the gap between psychology and the law, enhancing their career prospects. The courses are offered by top universities and expert educators, allowing learners to learn at their own pace from anywhere in the world.
Additionally, students can earn personalized forensic psychology certificates upon completion, complete with lead educator signatures and course details.
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5. The Science of Happiness
The Science of Happiness is a free course on positive psychology, taught by two directors from the Greater Good Science Center at University of California Berkeley via EdX. It covers topics such as the meaning of happiness, how to increase happiness, the importance of kindness, community, and social connection, mental habits conducive to happiness, and mindfulness for happiness.
Science of Happiness course is self-paced over 11 weeks, with a recommended study time of four to five hours per week. The course is free, has excellent user experience, and offers practical applications to everyday life. It also includes a Facebook group for practice.
6. Foundations of Positive Psychology Specialization
The University of Pennsylvania offers a Foundations of Positive Psychology Specialization on Coursera, taught by five expert faculty members. The course consists of five courses: Positive Psychology: Martin E.P. Seligman’s Visionary Science, Positive Psychology: Applications and Interventions, Positive Psychology: Character, Grit and Research Methods, Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills, and the Positive Psychology Specialization Project: Design Your Life for Well-being.
Students can take the entire specialization or select from each course. While Coursera is a fee-based site, students can access most materials for these courses at no cost by signing up in audit mode. However, the certificate is paid for.
7. Introduction to Psychology
This 15-hour course, provided by Yale University via Coursera, offers a comprehensive overview of psychology and human behavior and thought. The course covers topics such as foundational psychological theories, neuroscience, Freud’s psychodynamic theory, psychological research into development and language, cognitive psychology, social psychology, the role of genes and environment in explaining individual differences, and prominent mental illnesses and therapies.
This course provides a comprehensive overview of the scientific study of thought and behavior, examining topics such as perception, communication, learning, memory, decision-making, persuasion, emotions, and social behavior. It explores how these aspects develop in children, differ across people, and how they are wired in the brain, and how they break down due to illness and injury.
The course is free and offers an excellent user experience, with a user experience of excellent. However, it is pre-taped, limiting one-on-one interaction with the instructor.
8. A Clinical Approach to the Human Brain
This course, aimed at both Cognitive and Brain Sciences specializations, provides an understanding of the human brain’s functions in health and sickness. It covers regional anatomy, neurons, synapses, and neurotransmitters at the cellular level, which can be useful for educators and legislators.
Understanding neurotransmitters can help comprehend the effects of common drugs on brain function.
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9. Social Psychology
This free online psychology course focuses on the impact of social groups on individuals’ thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It is one of the best online psychology courses, focusing on how our ideas are influenced by the general people around us.
Students answer questions and expand their academic vocabularies while examining what motivates people to harm others, how the rise of authoritarian societies happen, and why people act against their conscience. The course follows a self-paced learning model.
The course is offered by Wesleyan University via Coursera and lasts 8 weeks. Khan Academy also offers the course.
10. Student Psychology
This psychology free certificate course focuses on understanding modern students’ psychology for the technology era, including their abilities, development stages, attitudes, needs, interests, and previous learning levels. It covers topics such as student motivation, the teaching-learning process, psychological inventories, social development, student characteristics, and counselling skills.
The course is offered by the National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research, Chennai via Swayam. The course lasts 8 weeks and covers language from three perspectives, including syntax and lexicon, word formation structures, and cognition.
Conclusion
Free online psychology courses and certificate programs listed above can enhance your professional and personal growth. These courses can help you become a highly sought-after individual in public and private sectors, such as business, research, and education.
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