Looking to expand your knowledge in electrical engineering? Check out these top free online courses that not only offer valuable information, but also provide certificates upon completion. With these courses, you can learn at your own pace and enhance your skills in the field of electrical engineering without breaking the bank.
- Introduction to Electrical and Electronic Engineering – Georgia Institute of Technology (Coursera)
- Circuits and Electronics 1: Basic Circuit Analysis – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (edX)
- Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering – Rice University (Coursera)
- Introduction to Power Electronics – University of Colorado Boulder (Coursera)
- Electrical Engineering: Sensing, Powering and Controlling – Delft University of Technology (edX)
- Electric Power Systems – University at Buffalo (Coursera)
- Solar Energy Basics – Delft University of Technology (edX)
Prerequisite Requirement
There are no explicit requirements for any of these courses. However, it would be beneficial to have a fundamental understanding of high school-level physics and math.
Anyone interested in learning about electric power systems, including students, professionals, and hobbyists, should take the course. Since it is an introduction course, no prior understanding of electric power systems is necessary.
You can test the course to see whether it works for you if you are interested in taking it but are unsure if you have the requisite underlying knowledge. Since the course is self-paced, you can go through the readings and take as much time as you need to fully comprehend the concepts.
When to Apply
The course is self-paced, so you can enroll at any time.
Simply go to the course Coursera page or Edx and make an account (if you don’t already have one), and sign up for the course. The course can be started immediately or whenever it is more convenient for you.
The program is flexible and can be finished at your own pace. There are no set due dates for assignments or quizzes, so you have all the time you need to finish the course.
Here Is a Guide of Top Free Online Electrical Engineering Courses with Free Certificates
1. Introduction to Electrical and Electronic Engineering – Georgia Institute of Technology (Coursera)
“Introduction to Electrical and Electronic Engineering” is a free online course offered by the Georgia Institute of Technology through the Coursera platform.
This course provides an overview of the fundamental principles of electrical and electronic engineering, including topics such as circuit analysis, digital electronics, signal processing, and electromagnetics.
The course is designed for anyone interested in learning about electrical and electronic engineering, including students, professionals, and hobbyists.
The course consists of video lectures, quizzes, and assignments, and it can be completed at your own pace.
The estimated workload is 4-6 hours per week for 4 weeks.
Upon completion of the course, you can earn a free certificate of completion.
2. Circuits and Electronics 1: Basic Circuit Analysis – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (edX)
“Circuits and Electronics 1: Basic Circuit Analysis” is a free online course offered by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) through the edX platform.
This course provides an introduction to the analysis of electrical circuits, including the fundamental concepts of voltage, current, and power, and how to analyze circuits using Kirchhoff’s laws, nodal and mesh analysis, and other circuit analysis techniques.
The course is designed for anyone interested in learning about circuits and electronics, including students, professionals, and hobbyists. No prior knowledge of electronics is required to take the course.
The course consists of video lectures, quizzes, and problem sets, and it can be completed at your own pace.
The estimated workload is 6-8 hours per week for 12 weeks.
Upon completion of the course, you can earn a free certificate of completion. However, note that if you want to receive a verified certificate, you will need to pay a fee.
3. Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering – Rice University (Coursera)
“Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering” is a free online course offered by Rice University through the Coursera platform.
This course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of electrical engineering, including topics such as circuit analysis, electric fields and potentials, magnetic fields and inductance, and basic electronics.
The course is designed for anyone interested in learning about electrical engineering, including students, professionals, and hobbyists. No prior knowledge of electrical engineering is required to take the course.
The course consists of video lectures, quizzes, and assignments, and it can be completed at your own pace.
The estimated workload is 6-8 hours per week for 12 weeks.
Upon completion of the course, you can earn a free certificate of completion.
4. Introduction to Power Electronics – University of Colorado Boulder (Coursera)
“Introduction to Power Electronics” is a free online course offered by the University of Colorado Boulder through the Coursera platform.
This course provides an introduction to power electronics, including the basic principles of power electronics, power electronic converters, and their applications in various fields such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and power systems.
The course is designed for anyone interested in learning about power electronics, including students, professionals, and hobbyists. No prior knowledge of power electronics is required to take the course.
The course consists of video lectures, quizzes, and assignments, and it can be completed at your own pace.
The estimated workload is 4-6 hours per week for 4 weeks.
Upon completion of the course, you can earn a free certificate of completion.
5. Electrical Engineering: Sensing, Powering and Controlling – Delft University of Technology (edX)
“Electrical Engineering: Sensing, Powering and Controlling” is a free online course offered by Delft University of Technology through the edX platform.
This course provides an introduction to electrical engineering, including topics such as sensors and transducers, power electronics, and control systems. The course also covers the applications of electrical engineering in various fields such as robotics, automotive systems, and renewable energy.
The course is designed for anyone interested in learning about electrical engineering, including students, professionals, and hobbyists. No prior knowledge of electrical engineering is required to take the course.
The course consists of video lectures, quizzes, and assignments, and it can be completed at your own pace.
The estimated workload is 6-8 hours per week for 7 weeks.
Upon completion of the course, you can earn a free certificate of completion.
6. Electric Power Systems – University at Buffalo (Coursera)
“Electric Power Systems” is a free online course offered by the University at Buffalo through the Coursera platform.
This course provides an introduction to electric power systems, including topics such as power generation, transmission, and distribution, as well as the components and operation of power systems.
The course is designed for anyone interested in learning about electric power systems, including students, professionals, and hobbyists. No prior knowledge of electric power systems is required to take the course.
The course consists of video lectures, quizzes, and assignments, and it can be completed at your own pace.
The estimated workload is 4-6 hours per week for 8 weeks.
Upon completion of the course, you can earn a free certificate of completion.
7. Solar Energy Basics – Delft University of Technology (edX)
“Solar Energy Basics” is a free online course offered by Delft University of Technology through the edX platform.
This course provides an introduction to solar energy, including the basic principles of solar energy conversion, solar cells and modules, and photovoltaic systems. The course also covers the applications of solar energy in various fields such as buildings, transportation, and agriculture.
The course is designed for anyone interested in learning about solar energy, including students, professionals, and hobbyists. No prior knowledge of solar energy is required to take the course.
The course consists of video lectures, quizzes, and assignments, and it can be completed at your own pace.
The estimated workload is 6-8 hours per week for 5 weeks.
Upon completion of the course, you can earn a free certificate of completion.
Which Course Is Best For Future Electrical Engineering Degree?
If you are interested in pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, I would recommend taking courses that cover the foundational topics of the field, such as circuit analysis, electromagnetism, power systems, and electronics.
Based on that, the following courses from the list may be particularly relevant for you:
- Circuits and Electronics 1: Basic Circuit Analysis – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (edX)
- Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering – Rice University (Coursera)
- Electric Power Systems – University at Buffalo (Coursera)
It’s also worth noting that many universities offer online courses that are specifically designed as prerequisites for their electrical engineering programs. You may want to look into these courses as well, as they can provide you with a solid foundation for your future studies.
What Job Can I Get After Obtaining An Electrical Engineering Certificate?
Here are some examples of job roles that you may be qualified for after completing one or more of the above-listed courses:
- Electrical Engineer: You may be qualified for entry-level positions as an electrical engineer, designing and testing electrical equipment and systems.
- Power Systems Engineer: If you completed the “Electric Power Systems” course, you may be qualified for roles as a power systems engineer, working on designing, testing, and maintaining electric power systems.
- Electronics Engineer: If you completed the “Introduction to Power Electronics” course, you may be qualified for entry-level positions as an electronics engineer, designing and testing electronic circuits and systems.
- Solar Energy Technician: Completing the “Solar Energy Basics” course can help you acquire knowledge and skills related to the design and installation of solar energy systems, which can qualify you for roles as a solar energy technician.
It’s worth noting that the specific job roles and responsibilities can vary widely depending on the employer and the specific industry.
What Will Be The Expected Salary After Completing Any Of Above Course?
Average: $26,470 – $40,000
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a number of excellent free online electrical engineering courses with free credentials accessible in the USA that can give you useful information and abilities in a variety of electrical engineering fields. Reputable universities and online learning environments like Coursera, edX, and others are providing these courses.
You can qualify for job responsibilities in a variety of electrical engineering fields by completing any one of these courses, which will help you gain valuable knowledge and abilities.
Additionally, you can add the free credentials you receive from these courses to your CV, which will help you stand out from other candidates when you apply for jobs.
Note: if you want to receive a verified certificate, you will need to pay a fee.
About The Author
Hassan Zaka
I am an experienced technical writer with an ACCA qualification. I have written on various topics including finance, business, and technology. My writing style is clear and simple, and I am skilled in using infographics and diagrams.
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