Looking to transform your career? Check out the best Coursera courses to level up your skills and get ahead! Don’t miss out on these life-changing opportunities.
Are you struggling to stay focused and productive throughout the day? Do you find yourself easily distracted and unable to complete tasks on time?
It can be frustrating when you have a long to-do list but can’t seem to make progress on any of it. Procrastination, lack of motivation, and other distractions can lead to decreased productivity and increased stress levels. Without a clear solution, it can feel like an endless cycle of unproductivity.
Fortunately, there are practical and effective techniques that can help you overcome these obstacles and increase your productivity.
By implementing strategies such as time management, goal-setting, and prioritization, you can optimize your work habits and achieve greater success in your personal and professional life.
Let’s explore some of these techniques and learn how to become more focused and productive.
The Coursera platform offers a wide range of personal growth and development courses, and these are the top 10 courses that stand out. Each course is led by a renowned expert in their field and is designed to help you transform different aspects of your life. The courses are:
- The Science of Well-Being – The Science of Well-Being is a course offered by Yale University that teaches evidence-based practices for improving one’s happiness and well-being.
- Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects – Teaches effective learning techniques based on insights from neuroscience and psychology. The course covers topics such as focused and diffuse thinking, procrastination, memory techniques, and more.
- Financial Markets – Provides an overview of the workings of financial markets and the factors that influence them. The course covers topics such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and derivatives, and also includes discussions on the role of financial institutions and government regulations.
- Python for Everybody Specialization – Teaches programming fundamentals using the Python language. The courses cover basic programming concepts, data structures, web scraping, and database access using Python.
- Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills – Teaches the fundamental principles and techniques of effective negotiation. The course covers topics such as preparation, communication, persuasion, and resolving conflicts in a variety of contexts.
- Introduction to Psychology – This course covers topics such as sensation and perception, learning and memory, social psychology, and psychological disorders, providing a solid foundation for further exploration of this fascinating field.
- Deep Learning Specialization – Comprehensive and in-depth series of courses covering the fundamental concepts and advanced techniques of deep learning, including neural networks, convolutional networks, recurrent networks, and more.
- Data Science Specialization – A series of courses covering the entire data science workflow, from data wrangling and visualization to statistical inference and machine learning.
- Mindshift: Break Through Obstacles to Learning and Discover Your Hidden Potential – Designed to help learners develop a growth mindset and overcome obstacles to learning, such as procrastination, anxiety, and self-doubt.
- Machine Learning Specialization – A series of courses covering the fundamental concepts and advanced techniques of machine learning, including supervised learning, unsupervised learning, deep learning, and more.
Our selection is based on a combination of factors, but we have sorted the courses by enrollment numbers to make the list more informative. The ranking number (#1 or #10) reflects only the number of enrollments among the best courses.
| Course | Instructor(s) | 💸Pricing | ❤️Enrollments | ⭐Rating | ⌛Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1. The Science of Well-Being | Laurie Santos | $49 | ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 4,404,187 enrollments (as of Apr 2023) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.9 (35,722 reviews as of Apr 2023) | ⌛⌛⌛⌛ 19 hours |
| #2. Learning How to Learn | Barbara Oakley and Dr. Terrence Sejnowski | $49 | ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 3,465,146 enrollments (as of Apr 2023) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.8 (86,197 reviews as of Apr 2023) | ⌛⌛⌛⌛ 15 hours |
| #3. Financial Markets | Robert Shiller | $49 | ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 1,494,356 enrollments (as of Apr 2023) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.8 (24,571 reviews as of Apr 2023) | ⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛ 33 hours |
| #4. Python for Everybody Specialization | Charles Russell Severance | $49 | ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 1,445,944 enrollments (as of Apr 2023) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.8 (202,104 reviews as of Apr 2023) | ⌛ 3 hours/week (8 months course) |
| #5. Successful Negotiation | George Siedel | $49 | ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 1,366,377 enrollments (as of Apr 2023) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.8 (18,008 reviews as of Apr 2023) | ⌛⌛⌛⌛ 17 hours |
| #6. Introduction to Psychology | Paul Bloom | $49 | ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 1,080,864 enrollments (as of Apr 2023) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.9 (25,679 reviews as of Apr 2023) | ⌛⌛⌛⌛ 15 hours |
| #7. Deep Learning Specialization | Andrew Ng +2 more instructors | $49 | ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 751,706 enrollments (as of Apr 2023) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.9 (128,974 reviews as of Apr 2023) | ⌛⌛ 7 hours/week (5 months course) |
| #8. Data Science Specialization | Jeff Leek +2 more instructors | $49 | ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 475,001 enrollments (as of Apr 2023) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.5 (38,492 reviews as of Apr 2023) | ⌛⌛ 7 hours/week (11 months course) |
| #9. Mindshift | Barbara Oakley +2 more instructors | $49 | ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 425,034 enrollments (as of Apr 2023) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.8 (12,315 reviews as of Apr 2023) | ⌛⌛ 10 hours |
| #10. Machine Learning Specialization | Andrew Ng +2 more instructors | $49 | ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 168,898 enrollments (as of Apr 2023) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.9 (9,650 reviews as of Apr 2023) | ⌛⌛ 9 hours/week (3 months course) |
Table of Contents
#1. The Science of Well-Being
Key info
- 🔗Course Link
- 💸Pricing: $49
- ❤️Popularity: 4,404,187 enrollments (as of Apr 2023)
- ⭐Rating: 4.9 (35,722 reviews as of Apr 2023)
- 📝Instructor(s): Laurie Santos (Dr. Laurie Santos is Chandrika and Ranjan Tandon Professor of Psychology and Head of Silliman College at Yale University.)
- ⌛Duration: 19 hours
“The Science of Well-Being” is a groundbreaking course offered by Yale University on Coursera that explores the secrets to leading a happier and more fulfilling life.
Through a combination of engaging lectures, practical exercises, and scientific research, this course provides a roadmap for individuals seeking to improve their overall well-being.
Students will learn evidence-based strategies for cultivating positive emotions, building meaningful relationships, and finding purpose and meaning in their lives. By the end of the course, students will have the tools they need to lead a happier and more fulfilling life.
Meet the instructor:
Dr. Laurie Santos is a professor of psychology and the head of Silliman College at Yale University. She is a renowned expert in the fields of cognitive psychology and behavioral economics, with a particular focus on human happiness and well-being.
Dr. Santos is also the creator of the popular “Science of Well-Being” course, which has been taken by thousands of students around the world and has been featured in major media outlets such as The New York Times, NPR, and CNN.
What you will learn:
#2. Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects
Key info
- 🔗Course Link
- 💸Pricing: $49
- ❤️Popularity: 3,465,146 enrollments (as of Apr 2023)
- ⭐Rating: 4.8 (86,197 reviews as of Apr 2023)
- 📝Instructor(s): Barbara Oakley (Professor of Engineering at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan) and Dr. Terrence Sejnowski (Francis Crick Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies)
- ⌛Duration: 15 hours
The “Learning How to Learn” course on Coursera, created by McMaster University and UC San Diego, equips students with the essential tools for mastering challenging subjects.
Through a blend of neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and practical tips, this course teaches students how to improve their learning strategies, memory, and focus.
Students will learn how to tackle procrastination, optimize their study environments, and develop efficient study habits that can benefit them in their academic and professional lives.
By the end of the course, students will have the skills and confidence to approach difficult subjects with ease and excel in their academic pursuits.
Meet the instructors:
Barbara Oakley is a professor of engineering at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. She is also a prolific author and has written several books on learning, including “A Mind for Numbers” and “Learning How to Learn,” which are based on her popular online courses.
Dr. Terrence Sejnowski, on the other hand, is the Francis Crick Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. He is a renowned neuroscientist and has made significant contributions to the field of computational neuroscience.
Together, Oakley and Sejnowski have co-created the online course “Learning How to Learn,” which has helped thousands of students worldwide improve their learning strategies and overcome academic challenges.
What you will learn:
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#3. Financial Markets
Key info
- 🔗Course Link
- 💸Pricing: $49
- ❤️Popularity: 1,494,356 enrollments (as of Apr 2023)
- ⭐Rating: 4.8 (24,571 reviews as of Apr 2023)
- 📝Instructor(s): Robert Shiller (Sterling Professor of Economics at Yale University)
- ⌛Duration: 33 hours
The Financial Markets course offered by Coursera is designed to give learners an in-depth understanding of the complex workings of global financial markets.
The course covers a wide range of topics, including stocks, bonds, options, futures, and other derivatives, as well as the various market structures and trading strategies used by investors and traders.
Learners will gain valuable insights into the financial world and develop practical skills that can be applied to real-world scenarios. Whether you’re an aspiring finance professional or simply interested in the field, this course is an excellent choice.
Meet the instructor:
Robert Shiller is a Sterling Professor of Economics at Yale University, widely recognized for his contributions to the fields of behavioral economics and finance.
He is a recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, awarded for his research on financial market volatility and the role of investor psychology in shaping market outcomes.
Shiller is also the author of several highly regarded books, including “Irrational Exuberance” and “Finance and the Good Society”, and has been a prominent commentator on economic and financial issues in the media.
What you will learn:
#4. Python for Everybody Specialization
Key info
- 🔗Course Link
- 💸Pricing: $49
- ❤️Popularity: 1,445,944 enrollments (as of Apr 2023)
- ⭐Rating: 4.8 (202,104 reviews as of Apr 2023)
- 📝Instructor(s): Charles Russell Severance (Charles Severance (a.k.a. Dr. Chuck) is a Clinical Professor at the University of Michigan School of Information)
- ⌛Duration: 3 hours/week (8 months course)
The Python for Everybody Specialization on Coursera is a comprehensive introduction to Python programming that covers everything from basic syntax and data structures to more advanced topics like web scraping and data visualization.
The courses are designed to be accessible to beginners while also providing plenty of challenges for more experienced programmers.
With a focus on job relevant skills and real-world applications, this specialization is perfect for anyone looking to build a solid foundation in Python and take their coding skills to the next level.
Meet the instructor:
Charles Russell Severance, also known as Dr. Chuck, is a Clinical Professor at the University of Michigan School of Information. He is an experienced educator who has taught computer science and programming for over 30 years.
He is also a prolific author and has written several books on programming and web development.
Dr. Chuck is particularly well-known for his work on the popular online learning platform, Coursera, where he has taught several courses on Python and web development to hundreds of thousands of students around the world.
What you will learn:
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#5. Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills
Key info
- 🔗Course Link
- 💸Pricing: $49
- ❤️Popularity: 1,366,377 enrollments (as of Apr 2023)
- ⭐Rating: 4.8 (18,008 reviews as of Apr 2023)
- 📝Instructor(s): George Siedel (Williamson Family Professor of Business Administration and Thurnau Professor of Business Law at University of Michigan)
- ⌛Duration: 17 hours
“Successful Negotiation” is a comprehensive Coursera course that equips learners with essential strategies and skills needed to negotiate effectively in a variety of settings.
Through practical examples, interactive exercises, and expert insights, learners will learn how to prepare for, conduct, and close a negotiation while building relationships and achieving their objectives.
Whether you are a seasoned negotiator or new to the art of negotiation, this course will help you become a more confident and successful negotiator in both your personal and professional life.
Meet the instructor:
George Siedel is a prominent scholar in the fields of business administration and business law, currently serving as the Williamson Family Professor of Business Administration and Thurnau Professor of Business Law at the University of Michigan.
He has extensive experience as a negotiator, mediator, and consultant, and has worked with a wide range of organizations including multinational corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies.
Siedel is also a prolific author and has written numerous books, articles, and case studies on negotiation, law, and business strategy, many of which are widely used in business schools and executive education programs around the world.
What you will learn:
#6. Introduction to Psychology
Key info
- 🔗Course Link
- 💸Pricing: $49
- ❤️Popularity: 1,080,864 enrollments (as of Apr 2023)
- ⭐Rating: 4.9 (25,679 reviews as of Apr 2023)
- 📝Instructor(s): Paul Bloom (Brooks and Suzanne Ragen Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Science at Yale University)
- ⌛Duration: 15 hours
The “Introduction to Psychology” course on Coursera, created by Yale University, provides a comprehensive overview of the fascinating field of psychology.
This course covers various topics, including the brain and behavior, sensation and perception, memory, learning, and social behavior. Through engaging video lectures, interactive exercises, and case studies, students will gain insight into the workings of the human mind and behavior.
This course is suitable for anyone interested in psychology, and no prior knowledge is required. By the end of the course, students will have a solid foundation in psychology and a better understanding of themselves and others.
Meet the instructor:
Paul Bloom is the Brooks and Suzanne Ragen Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Science at Yale University. He is a well-known cognitive psychologist and author of several books, including “How Pleasure Works” and “Against Empathy.”
His research focuses on topics such as morality, empathy, and the cognitive basis of religious beliefs. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, and his research has been featured in popular media outlets such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Atlantic.
As an instructor, Bloom brings his extensive knowledge and expertise to the “Introduction to Psychology” course on Coursera, which he co-created.
What you will learn:
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#7. Deep Learning Specialization
Key info
- 🔗Course Link
- 💸Pricing: $49
- ❤️Popularity: 751,706 enrollments (as of Apr 2023)
- ⭐Rating: 4.9 (128,974 reviews as of Apr 2023)
- 📝Instructor(s): Andrew Ng (Founder of DeepLearning.AI, General Partner at AI Fund, Chairman and Co-Founder of Coursera), Kian Katanforoosh (Senior Curriculum Developer at DeepLearning.AI) and Younes Bensouda Mourri (Curriculum developer at DeepLearning.AI)
- ⌛Duration: 7 hours/week (5 months course)
The Deep Learning Specialization by Coursera is a comprehensive course designed to equip learners with the necessary skills and knowledge to build deep learning models.
The course is taught by leading experts in the field and covers a wide range of topics such as neural networks, convolutional networks, and recurrent networks.
Through a series of interactive quizzes, coding exercises, and real-world projects, learners will gain practical experience in building deep learning models, making them ready to tackle real-world problems in various domains.
Meet the instructors:
Andrew Ng is the founder of DeepLearning.AI, a general partner at AI Fund, and the chairman and co-founder of Coursera. He is a renowned expert in artificial intelligence and has made significant contributions to the field of deep learning.
Kian Katanforoosh is a senior curriculum developer at DeepLearning.AI and has been instrumental in designing and developing the Deep Learning Specialization course.
Younes Bensouda Mourri is also a curriculum developer at DeepLearning.AI and has contributed to the development of several deep learning courses on the platform.
What you will learn:
#8. Data Science Specialization
Key info
- 🔗Course Link
- 💸Pricing: $49
- ❤️Popularity: 475,001 enrollments (as of Apr 2023)
- ⭐Rating: 4.5 (38,492 reviews as of Apr 2023)
- 📝Instructor(s): Jeff Leek, PhD (Assistant Professor of Biostatistics at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and co-editor of the Simply Statistics Blog), Roger D. Peng, PhD (Professor of Biostatistics at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a Co-Editor of the Simply Statistics blog) and Brian Caffo, PhD (professor in the Department of Biostatistics at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health)
- ⌛Duration: 7 hours/week (11 months course)
The Data Science Specialization on Coursera is an extensive course that equips learners with the necessary skills to extract valuable insights from complex data.
The curriculum covers various aspects of data science, including data visualization, machine learning, data manipulation, and statistical analysis. Through hands-on projects and real-world case studies, learners gain practical experience in solving data-related problems.
The course is suitable for professionals seeking to enhance their analytical skills and for beginners looking to break into the field of data science.
Meet the instructors:
The three instructors, Jeff Leek, Roger D. Peng, and Brian Caffo, are all professors at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. They are experts in the field of biostatistics and have extensive experience in data science.
Jeff Leek and Roger D. Peng are co-editors of the Simply Statistics blog, which focuses on data science and statistics. Brian Caffo is a professor in the Department of Biostatistics and has expertise in machine learning and statistical inference.
Together, these instructors bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Data Science Specialization course on Coursera.
What you will learn:
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#9. Mindshift: Break Through Obstacles to Learning and Discover Your Hidden Potential
Key info
- 🔗Course Link
- 💸Pricing: $49
- ❤️Popularity: 425,034 enrollments (as of Apr 2023)
- ⭐Rating: 4.8 (12,315 reviews as of Apr 2023)
- 📝Instructor(s): Barbara Oakley (Professor of Engineering at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan) and Dr. Terrence Sejnowski (Francis Crick Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies)
- ⌛Duration: 10 hours
“Mindshift” is an engaging online course offered by Coursera that helps learners to overcome their limiting beliefs and discover their hidden potential.
Led by Dr. Barbara Oakley, the course teaches practical techniques for effective learning, including how to embrace challenges, overcome procrastination, and cultivate a growth mindset.
With inspiring real-life examples and interactive exercises, “Mindshift” empowers learners to transform their approach to learning and achieve their goals. Whether you’re a student, professional, or lifelong learner, this course is designed to help you break through obstacles and reach your full potential.
Meet the instructors:
Barbara Oakley is a Professor of Engineering at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. She is the instructor of the popular online course “Learning How to Learn” and the author of the book “A Mind for Numbers.”
Dr. Oakley is known for her work in the field of learning and teaching techniques, including how to overcome obstacles to learning and develop a growth mindset.
Dr. Terrence Sejnowski is a Francis Crick Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. He is a renowned neuroscientist and computational biologist, known for his work on neural networks and their application to learning and memory.
Dr. Sejnowski is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the recipient of numerous awards for his contributions to the field of neuroscience.
What you will learn:
#10. Machine Learning Specialization
Key info
- 🔗Course Link
- 💸Pricing: $49/month
- ❤️Popularity: 168,898 enrollments (as of Apr 2023)
- ⭐Rating: 4.9 (9,650 reviews as of Apr 2023)
- 📝Instructor(s): Andrew Ng (Founder of DeepLearning.AI), Eddy Shyu (Curriculum Architect at DeepLearning.AI), Aarti Bagul (Curriculum Engineer), and Geoff Ladwig (Curriculum Engineer at DeepLearning.AI)
- ⌛Duration: 9 hours/week (3 months course)
The Machine Learning Specialization course on Coursera is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental concepts and algorithms of machine learning.
The course is taught by Andrew Ng, one of the leading experts in the field of machine learning, and covers topics such as supervised learning, unsupervised learning, deep learning, and reinforcement learning.
Through a series of hands-on projects and real-world applications, students will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to apply machine learning techniques to solve real-world problems.
Meet the instructors:
Andrew Ng, the founder of DeepLearning.AI, is an expert in the field of machine learning and has taught and developed courses on the topic at Stanford University, Coursera, and now at his own company, DeepLearning.AI.
Eddy Shyu is a Curriculum Architect at DeepLearning.AI and has developed courses on machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Aarti Bagul and Geoff Ladwig are both Curriculum Engineers at DeepLearning.AI and have extensive experience in developing and implementing machine learning curricula.
Together, these instructors bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Machine Learning Specialization course on Coursera.
What you will learn:
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Pros & Cons of Coursera
👍Pros:
- Affordable: Coursera courses are often significantly more affordable than traditional in-person courses or degrees, making it a more accessible option for early career researchers on a tight budget.
- Accredited courses: Many Coursera courses are offered in partnership with accredited universities, providing learners with a high-quality education that is recognized by employers and other institutions.
- Variety of courses: Coursera offers a wide variety of courses, covering topics from data science to business to the humanities, providing learners with the opportunity to explore many different areas of interest.
- Flexibility: Coursera courses are self-paced and can be accessed online, making it easier for early career researchers to fit learning into their busy schedules.
- Hands-on learning: Depending on the course, learners may have the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning activities, such as coding assignments or group projects.
👎Cons:
- Limited interaction: While some Coursera courses may offer opportunities for interaction with instructors or other learners, many courses are self-paced and lack the level of interaction that some learners may prefer.
- Self-motivation: With self-paced courses, it can be easy to procrastinate or lose motivation without a set schedule or deadlines to keep you on track.
- Limited access: Some Coursera courses are only available for a limited time or require a subscription fee to access all of the course content.
- Time commitment: While self-paced learning can be beneficial, it also requires learners to be self-disciplined and committed to putting in the time and effort necessary to complete the course.
- Not all courses are accredited: While many Coursera courses are accredited, not all are, so learners should check to ensure that the course they are interested in taking is accredited if that is a priority.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Coursera is a great platform that offers a wide variety of courses for your personal development. It will help you learn new skills and advance your career. From business and technology to arts and humanities, there is something for everyone.
With the ability to learn at your own pace and on your own schedule, Coursera courses provide a convenient and accessible way to gain knowledge and improve your skills.
Have you taken any Coursera courses before? What were your favorite courses, and what did you learn from them? How have you applied what you learned in your personal or professional life? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below.
Whether you are looking to enhance your resume, gain new skills, or simply explore your interests, Coursera has something to offer. With a vast array of courses from top universities and industry experts, there is no shortage of opportunities to learn and grow. So why not start exploring today?
FAQs
Q1. What are Coursera courses?
Coursera courses are online courses offered by top universities and institutions from around the world. They cover a wide range of subjects and are designed to help people develop new skills and advance their careers.
Q2. How do I find the best Coursera courses?
You can use the Coursera website to search for courses by subject, level, and institution. You can also read reviews from other learners to find out which courses are highly rated and recommended.
Q3. Are Coursera courses free?
Some Courses of Coursera have free classes, while others require a fee to enroll. However, many courses offer a free audit option, which allows learners to access the course materials but not earn a certificate.
Q4. What are the best Coursera courses for beginners?
Some of the best Coursera courses for beginners include “Learning How to Learn” by the University of California, San Diego, “Python for Everybody” by the University of Michigan, and “Introduction to Psychology” by Yale University.
Q5. Can I get a certificate for completing a Coursera course?
Yes, learners who complete a Coursera Professional certificate program can earn a certificate of completion. However, some courses require learners to pay a fee to earn a Coursera certification.
Q6. What are the most popular Coursera courses?
Some of the most popular Coursera courses include “Machine Learning ” by Stanford University, “Neural Networks and Deep Learning” by deeplearning.ai, and “The Science of Well-Being” by Yale University.
Q7. Are Coursera courses accredited?
Coursera courses are not accredited by themselves, but some institutions offer college credit for completing certain courses. You should check with your school or employer to see if they accept Coursera courses for credit.
Q8. What are the best Coursera courses for business and career development?
Some of the best Coursera Professional certificate programs for business and career development include “Digital Marketing” by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, “Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills” by the University of Michigan, and “Project Management: The Basics for Success” by the University of California, Irvine.
