EdX offers comprehensive and self-paced courses to help prepare non-native English speakers for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination. These courses prepare candidates in all aspects of the test, including listening, speaking, writing, and reading.

Offered in conjunction with the University of Queensland, this test takes most students around five to ten hours per week for roughly eight weeks. Although the program is free, each student has the option of adding a verified certificate for $99 USD. This certificate is official and verified by an instructor. It is easily shareable, with the ability to add it to a CV or resume or to be posted directly to LinkedIn.

This introductory course prepares candidates to easily take the IELTS Academic tests in order to study at the higher education level in any English-speaking country. Students will receive access to over eighty hours of self-paced, interactive practice materials. The course was designed by talented and expert-level English instructors from the University of Queensland, instructors who have experience helping students reach their English-speaking and test-taking goals.

The course includes several sections of multimedia presentations that review crucial test-taking techniques and skills. All of these presentations are partnered with a variety of IELTS-style exercises and activities to help students perform at their absolute best. The course was recently updated and includes a significant number of new videos and other engaging practice activities. Students will also receive comprehensive feedback on their writing and other performance tasks.

Because this course is self-paced, it gives students the option to complete all of the course units in a single sequence, or to only complete the parts they want to focus on to prepare for the tests. Students who selected Verified Enrollment in the course will receive additional materials prepared by the course development team.

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Udacity’s Google Africa Scholarship Program offers Web and Android scholarships to residents of African countries. These scholarship programs enable talented students to learn the skills necessary to accelerate their careers, or to advance their progress in the field of mobile and web development.

The curriculum of this program is designed by Google and Udacity, and supports a large and quickly developing community of developers. The scholarship is open to students who are at least eighteen years old and reside in an African nation. Once accepted, each student will be placed in a beginner or intermediate track, depending on his or her existing abilities and relevant experiences. Some scholarship recipients are even eligible to participate in Andela Learning Communities. Top students from each track will earn full scholarships to an Android or Web Development Nanodegree program.

There are 5,000 seats in the beginner track programs. No programming experience is required, and this program provides a two-month access to Intro to HTML and CSS. Students learn how to design and construct effective and attractive websites. The top 150 students from the Beginner Track are awarded scholarships to the Front-End Web Developer Nanodegree program. The intermediate track hosts 2,500 seats and requires some programming experience.
Students learn how to build next-generation web applications that are more responsive. From the intermediate track, 10 0students will be awarded scholarships to the Mobile Web Specialist Nanodegree program.

The program takes place entirely online and has few prerequisites besides prior programming experiences (in limited cases) as well as an age requirement of eighteen years or older. Students may complete the courses wherever they live. The first phase of the scholarship provides two months of access to a curated path of Udacity courses, custom-fit to ensure that students are working within their skill levels. The second phase provides 500 students with next-level access and funding for additional coursework.

All applications are due by April 24, 2018, with recipients notified by May 2. Programs begin on May 8. The application process is quick and straightforward, and requires students to respond to questions about their academic goals and experiences. Questions can be directed to scholarships-support@udacity.com.

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This graduate-level course is taught entirely in English, and is ideal for individuals with basic familiarity with business concepts. It recognizes that taking and maintaining a competitive advantage requires more than timing or a snap solution. It instead necessitates a thoughtful, well-implemented strategy. This course gives practitioners the tools and structures necessary to develop effective strategies.

Students will learn how to evaluate the success and modifications of their own strategies, as well as how to determine the source of a potential advantage. This source may encompass the internal, external, and dynamic fit of the strategy. Students will also be able to assess the impact of the moves of their competitors and how to maintain an advantage, while also understanding the factors that create and maintain competitive advantage. Upon finishing the course, students will have an idea of how to identify barriers to change, as well as how to implement a successful, advantageous edge.

The course syllabus will tackle basic questions such as, “What is strategy?” and also address the difference between organizational effectiveness and strategy. It will examine the importance of tradeoffs and the value chain, and also look at interactions among strategic choices.

This course is taught by David M. Knott, Professor of Management at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The course is designed for busy working professionals and is offered entirely online. Graduates will earn continuing education credits that are often required for certifications and licensures.

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The course is taught by Harvard Law professor Charles Fried, who is one of the world’s leading authorities on contract law. He has been teaching at Harvard Law School for over fifty years and has written extensively on contract law. Professor Fried provides a unique course experience with extensive study in contract law and the utilization of an engaging storytelling approach.

In addition to reviewing basic contract components and policies, students will also engage in units on Interpretation, Agency, Partnerships, Corporations, and Government Regulation. Students will benefit from new materials and updated case samples. Coursework will include the study of a theoretical background of contracts, trust, and promise, along with studies on how to form contracts through valid offer and acceptance. Students will learn issues that arise when entering and enforcing contracts, as well as how to create legal relations and common pitfalls. Offered at an intermediate level, it is taught entirely in English. The course hosts open enrollment and allows students to engage with academic professionals at a minimal out-of-pocket expense.

This course lasts for a total of eight weeks, and requires three to six hours of work per week. While the course itself is offered free of charge, participants may add a verified certificate of completion for just $125. This certificate can be added directly to a CV or resume, or posted on LinkedIn. It provides an additional incentive to complete the course. To register for the course or to obtain more information, interested students should visit https://www.edx.org/course/contract-law-from-trust-to-promise-to-contract.

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edX, in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), offers a unique program to blossoming entrepreneurs. MIT Launch is an introductory course that allows growing businessmen and women to learn the necessary business skills and startup mindset in order to begin a successful entrepreneurial career.

This introductory, self-paced course starts on September 18, 2017. It lasts around six weeks, with an approximate time commitment of only one to three hours per week. Although the course is free, edX also offers the option for interested students to add a verified certificate for $69. This certificate is instructor-signed and institutionally verified to demonstrate a candidate’s ability to successfully enter the job market. It can be added directly to a CV or resume, or posted on LinkedIn.

The course is offered entirely in English. It focuses on the innovation techniques and business skills necessary for aspiring entrepreneurs. Students will learn how to develop new business ideas and conduct effective market research. They will learn entrepreneurial strategy and pitching through a combination of short videos, case studies, and hands-on activities. This will allow motivated students to challenge themselves beyond the computer screen. Students will not only learn the strategies behind entrepreneurship, but also how to get out into the community to make a difference.

Graduates will have the ability to overcome common hurdles in starting a company, as well as how to develop innovative business ideas. They will know how to target the ideal consumer and to utilize a positioning and entrepreneurial strategy to reach that customer base. They will be able to articulate, work towards, and attain influential goals.

No previous experience in business or entrepreneurship is necessary. The class is taught by Laurie Stach, who is the founder and executive director of MIT Launch. For more information, interested students should visit https://www.edx.org/course/becoming-entrepreneur-mitx-launch-x-3#!.

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Harvard University, through its partnership with HarvardX announces an exciting course in American Government. This online course offers a comprehensive introduction to American government and related politics, including foundations, organizations, and policies. It is taught by Thomas E. Patterson, a skilled and renowned instructor at the John F. Kennedy School of Government within Harvard University.

The course is sixteen weeks in length and requires about three hours a week of work, depending on skill level and background. Although it is a free course, a verified certificate may be added for $99. This certificate is official and verified, offering students the option to share it instantly via a resume, portfolio, or online management system such as LinkedIn.

Course material covers all aspects of everyday American lives. It examines the following key questions:

• How is the American political system founded?
• How and why do leading institutions (such as Congress) operate?
• Where do public opinion, parties, lobbyist groups, and the media fit in?
• What are the bases behind the United States’ economic, social, and foreign policies?

The course explains both theory along with individual cases (such as the Iraq invasion) to provide a thorough understanding of how the American government operates. It is an ideal option for college and advanced placement high school students, educators looking for a way to expand upon their own courses, and citizens both domestic and abroad looking to understand how the U.S. political system functions.

Coursework will also allow students to develop critical thinking skills, citizenship, and the ability to reason analytically and synthesize learned information. Class topics include a sampling of the following:

• Political culture
• Federalism
• Civil liberties
• Congress (constituency and party)
• Presidents & domestic vs. foreign policies
• Political parties
• Campaigns and Elections
• Fiscal and monetary policy
• Regulatory policy
• Dynamics of American politics

Students may register for this exciting, self-paced course by visiting https://www.edx.org.

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The Wharton School through in the University of Pennsylvania announces an exciting new program in the Fundamentals of Digital Marketing, Social Media, and E-Commerce. This program is designed to help students build the marketing skills necessary to succeed in a fast-paced digital economy.

Wharton has consistently been ranked as the number one school in the world for marketing education. The course is a six week course necessitating about two to three hours of work per week. It is self-paced and affordable (at just $585), making this an excellent option for working professionals or busy students.

The course prepares students by introducing them to the basic essential principles and practices of marketing. It is taught by Internet consumer shopping expert (and esteemed Wharton professor) David Bell. Interactions with this skilled professional will help you succeed as you learn the art and science of marketing in any business, from startups to established enterprise.

The course is rooted in business and management, but also instructs students on the Internet and related technologies (both fixed and mobile). Students will examine the relationship between business and social institutions, and related complications therein. They will be taught thoughtful approaches to navigate new and emerging companies and technologies.

The themes include behavioral foundations, new forms of interactions, tools and principles of digital marketing action, and new media platforms. Students will learn how to understand and manage the online landscape, as well as how to form a solid network and reputation within the industry. Students will also learn the real-world application of social media and digital marketing skills and how to market themselves and their products more efficiently.
This course is designed for current marketing professionals, new students, analysts, business owners (both small and large), and investors. It evolved and grew from a basic course offered at Wharton on digital marketing and e-commerce.

For more information, students should contact the Wharton School at (215) 898-5000.

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Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Charter Oak State College offer an exciting new course titled “Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python.” This introductory computer science course teaches students how to solve real-world problems using Python 3.5. A self-paced course, it begins August 30, 2017.

The course will take approximately fifteen hours a week for most students, for around nine weeks total. It is a free course unless students wish to add a verified certificate of completion for $49. This certificate is instructor-signed and institutionally verified so that it can be added directly to a resume, CV, or LinkedIn profile. Students may also choose to pay $300 for three course credits through Charter Oak.

Students must have a background in high school algebra and an aptitude for mathematics. Although there are not course prerequisites, students without sufficient programming backgrounds will find that the course takes more time than necessary.

The course is the first in a two-step sequence, with the next step titled “Introduction to Computational Thinking and Data Science.” They are designed to help people without prior experience in computer science to begin to think computationally and write problem-solving program solutions. These courses can be used as a foundation before moving on to more advanced coursework. It briefly covers a wide range of topics with the goal of introducing students to as many topics as possible.

Coursework is both challenging and rigorous. It features updated lecture videos, exercises, and problem sets that use the new version of Python 3.5. Students will receive training in a notation of computation, the Python programming language, simple algorithms, testing and debugging, algorithm complexity, and data structures.

Courses are taught by Drs. John Guttag, Eric Grimson and Ana Bell through Charter Oak State College. Charter Oak is Connecticut’s premier online public college. The institution gives students the opportunity to earn college credits affordably and flexibly. For credit in this particular course, students must pass with a 65% or higher.

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This is your chance to improve your English language skills your scores on the TOEFL test from the very experts who created it. The TOEFL test is the most widely accepted English-language assessment, with more than 10,000 schools and universities requiring it of any international students who speak English as their second language. Other institutions, including governments, use it, as well, when making important decisions about who to admit or hire.

This online course will help you prepare to do your best on the TOEFL test. The instructors will walk you through each section of the test and use previous test questions to explain what you can expect when you take the test. The course is filled with practical advice, including how to register for the test, how it is scored, and how to prepare for test day.

You won’t just be sitting back watching video lectures in this class. Instead, it is highly interactive with video explanations, sample questions, short quizzes, and collaborative discussion boards. You will get access to real test materials from previous tests to help you prepare, and during the Speaking and Writing portion of the course, you can receive scores for your practice-test responses to see how well you are doing.

This course is best-suited for those who may need to take the TOEFL test soon. That includes students planning to study at an institution or university; candidates for scholarships and professional certification; English-language learners who want to track their progress; and students and workers applying for visas in certain countries.

Taking the course online is free, but you have the option of purchasing a Verified Certificate for $49. The course begins August 8, 2017, and it should take about two to four hours of work each week. To learn more about this online TOEFL preparation course and to sign up for it, click here.
 

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Who doesn’t want to be happy? There are plenty of self-help books and so-called experts who promise us the “secret(s)” of happiness. But how much of what they offer is backed by science and high quality research? In “The Science of Happiness,” a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) offered by the University of California Berkeley, you will learn about the ground-breaking science of positive psychology. This cutting-edge, interdisciplinary field explores the roots of what it means to live a happy and meaningful life and how to achieve it. As a student in the course, you will engage with practical lessons from this field and learn how to use research-supported strategies in your own life to foster happiness. The course’s main lesson is this: That happiness is inextricably linked to having strong social connections and contributing to something bigger than yourself. You will be exposed to ideas from psychology, neuroscience, evolutionary biology, and others which have supported the science behind positive psychology.

Most importantly, the course provides students with practical strategies for nurturing their own happiness. You will get to try several research-backed activities to foster social and emotional well-being and identify how your happiness changes as the course progresses.

The main instructors for the course are Drs. Dacher Keltner and Emiliana Simon-Thomas – leading authorities in the field of positive psychology who strive to make the coursework fun and personal. Throughout the course, they will occasionally be joined by guest experts, including Barbara Fredrickson, Paul Ekman, Sonja Lyubomirsky, and John Kabat-Zinn. The class will discuss themes such as empathy, mindfulness, and gratitude.

“The Science of Happiness” begins 4 September 2017 and lasts eight weeks. It is free to attend, but if you desire a Verified Certificate for successfully completing the class, then you will have to pay $49. Health professionals can take this class and earn continuing education credits for their participation. Watching the lectures and completing the assignments will take approximately four to five hours each week, and you will be given two exams: a midterm and a final. To learn more about the course, read student reviews, and register, click here.

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