Hillsdale College, a private liberal arts school known for classical education, launched its free online courses program in 2011. Over 4.2 million learners have engaged with content spanning economics, history, literature, theology, political science, and more .
These are not-for-credit, self-paced, and supported by Hillsdale faculty lectures, readings, quizzes, guides, and discussion boards
How to Enroll & Use the Platform
Registration: Create a free account on Hillsdale’s course portal .
Access: Once signed in, you can enroll in any free course (e.g., Theology 101) with one click .
Progress Tracking: Your watched lectures, quiz scores, and completion status are saved per login .
Flexibility: Courses are self-paced, with no deadlines .
Media: Lecture videos and MP3 audios are available; transcripts are typically not
Popular Course Highlights
Theology 101: The Western Theological Tradition
A 10‑week course on the evolution of Western theology—from Genesis to Aquinas and beyond.
Great Books 102: Renaissance to Modern
Explore hallmark works including Shakespeare, Milton, Dostoevsky, Austen, and Twain through 11 lectures .
Western Heritage: From Genesis to John Locke
An 11-lesson survey of Western civilization’s intellectual roots: Greek philosophy, Roman order, medieval Christianity, and Enlightenment thought .
American Heritage: Colonial to Present
Trace U.S. history from early colonization to contemporary America, with lessons from scholars like Larry Arnn and Paul Rahe .
Courses on the Constitution, Civil Rights, C.S. Lewis, and The American Left are also offered
4. Certificate Info & College Credit
Certificates of completion are available after passing the final quiz with ≥80%
No academic credit offered—but completion certificates can be a resume booster .
Credits not transferable, and courses don’t appear on transcripts
Learner Feedback & Community Insights
Reddit users often praise the program:
“Hillsdale College’s online open courses… I have found… superior to MIT OCW Scholar courses, Yale’s open courses, and Harvard’s… media quality on par with The Great Courses.”
“It’s free online. I’ve been watching it, it’s a great survey of the early days of Christianity.”
Enthusiasts recommend them for classical education fans.
6. Tips for Getting the Most Out of It
Set a schedule: self-paced courses thrive with discipline.
Engage actively: quizzes, discussion boards, and optional readings reinforce learning.
Supplement learning: read original texts (e.g., Genesis, Shakespeare) alongside lectures.
Add certificates prudently to resumes—especially if relevant to job or academic goals .
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Are these courses really free?
Yes—funded by donations, entirely free to enroll .
Q2. Can I earn college credit?
No. Courses offer knowledge only, not university credit .
Q3. Do I get a certificate?
Yes, upon scoring ≥80% on the final quiz .
Q4. Are there deadlines?
Nope—these courses are completely self-paced