List of Free Online Geography Courses and Educational Materials
See our list of the top free online geography courses. Learn about what courses are available and what topics they cover to find the course that's right for you.
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Free Online Geography Course Requirements and Information
Free online geography courses are typically available through OpenCourseWare projects of various universities, which consist of original class materials made available on the web for online viewing or downloading. Students may need special software (e.g., a specific media player) to access the video/audio lecture files provided by some schools; however, most OCW and other web-based course materials can be viewed online using a common Internet browser. None of the following free online courses offer credit.
Geography in Education: Exploring a Definition at The Open University
The Open University is a UK-based provider of distance education programs that offers an array of free online courses. Through OpenLearn, the school offers a unit designed for geography teachers that analyzes how geographic study can enhance a student's academic career. The unit covers the purpose of geography courses in schools, student views on geography and general views about geography's place in a student's training. Course materials include five printable text lessons and a reference list.
Geography of World Cultures at Stanford University
Stanford University offers this geography course as a series of audio podcast lectures that can be played through iTunes. These podcasts are enhanced to allow students to access images, which are synched to the audio. The course is focused on map analysis and how location helps shape the dynamics and development of religion, language and ethnic groupings. Students also examine the historical and geographical context of different cultures as well as globalization. The course studies these phenomena in Islamic religions, cultures of the Far East and Indo-European language development.
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Urban and Environmental Analysis at Tufts University
This originally 36-hour graduate-level course is designed to introduce students to the different uses of Geographical Information System (GIS) software in urban, metropolitan and suburban environments. Students may learn how to access and use census demographics, business data and land use information. The course also addresses how to use spatial databases and the online data retrieval functions of GIS software. Course materials include a syllabus with textbooks, project and paper descriptions, a list of PDF files that explain various GIS tools and a list of online GIS resources. Students don't have access to the lectures; a text document is provided for a basics tutorial lecture, and some lectures are linked to related slides.
A Workshop on Geographic Information Systems at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
This graduate-level workshop was originally based on hands-on lab exercises. The course was designed to help students develop technical GIS skills as well as learn methods for data gathering, analysis and presentation, particularly as related to planning purposes. Free materials associated with this course include a list of texts available for purchase online, assignment and lab descriptions, notes for 15 lectures and a final exam.
Earn Real Credit from Free Courses
While the free courses above don't award credit directly, you can earn credit by passing an exam and transferring credit to your college. There are two widely recognized and affordable options for exams that award credit.
Option #1: CLEP Exams
The College Board's 33 CLEP exams allow you to test out of your general education requirements. Credit is accepted at 2/3 of colleges and universities in the U.S.
Option #2: Excelsior College's Credit-by-Exam
Excelsior College offers over 40 exams that lead to transferable credit. You can also earn three full degrees by taking free online courses and earning your credit by exam.
Learn how Education Portal Academy will pay you to earn credit!
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13 Popular Schools
The schools in the listing below are not free but are popular choices among our users. Tuition and costs will vary across programs and locations. Be sure to always request tuition information before starting a program.
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older and have completed some college or 24 years of age or older and a high school graduate for a Bachelor's degree
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
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- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
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- AA in Psychology
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
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- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must have completed 12 college credits
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must hold a Bachelor's degree or higher
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
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- Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
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