Coursera Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) Is Coursera free for faculty and staff? Answer:  Yes. Faculty and staff have free access to Coursera through Arkansas State University's institutional license. How do I sign up for Coursera? Answer: You do not need to sign up. Faculty, staff, and students all have access as long as they have an active A-State account. You must join either the Faculty/Staff or Student program using the provided link, and you must use your A-State email address. If you see a pop-up stating that you do not have access, please reach out to emdatatech@astate.edu . Faculty and Staff Link - CLICK HERE Student Link - CLICK HERE I am an employee. Can I complete Coursera coursework during my work hours? Answer:   If the coursework is directly related to your current job duties , you may complete it during work hours.  If the coursework is outside your current job responsibilities , it should be completed outside of work hours. For additional guidance, please contact  Cathy Naylor . Can I use Coursera to earn a professional certificate? Answer:  Yes! Many Coursera courses offer the option to earn professional certificates, including credentials from companies such as Google, Meta, and IBM. These certificates are valuable additions to your resume or CV. Can faculty assign Coursera content in their A-State courses? Answer:  Yes.  Faculty are encouraged to integrate Coursera modules into their courses. Assignments, discussions, or supplemental learning activities can be based on Coursera content to enhance student engagement and outcomes. You can also view a demonstration here . Do Coursera courses count toward formal academic credit at A-State? Answer: Potentially. Students should discuss this with their academic advisor and request that their department review the course to determine whether it may be eligible for credit equivalency or substitution. Arkansas State University may also accept certain learning experiences evaluated by American Council on Education. Students can learn more about ACE credit recommendations here:  https://www.acenet.edu/National-Guide/Pages/default.aspx Coursera courses are primarily intended for professional development, micro-credentialing, and supplemental learning, and most will not automatically transfer as academic credit. What is Coursera Plus and how do I request access? Answer : Coursera Plus is an expanded Coursera subscription that provides access to a much larger catalog of courses, certificates, and programs beyond the standard Career Academy offerings. Arkansas State University primarily provides access through the Career Academy, which includes curated content aligned to workforce and professional development goals. Coursera Plus is intended for situations where needed subject areas are not available in the Career Academy. Because Coursera Plus licenses are limited, access is not automatic and must be requested and approved. Faculty and staff who cannot find the subject area they need within the Career Academy may request access by contacting: jucarothers@astate.edu Please include the subject area or course you are seeking and how it supports your role. Requests will be reviewed based on availability and alignment with institutional needs.  Why can’t I access a specific course on Coursera? Answer : If you are unable to access a course, it is usually due to one of the following: You are not logged in with your A-State email address You have not joined the correct program (Faculty/Staff or Student link) The course is not included in the Career Academy catalog Not all Coursera content is available through the university’s standard license. If the course you are looking for is outside the Career Academy, you may request Coursera Plus access (see Question 7). If you believe you should have access but are still experiencing issues, please contact emdatatech@astate.edu   How long do Coursera courses take to complete? Answer: Coursera courses are self-paced and vary widely depending on the type of learning experience. Guided projects can take 1–2 hours Individual courses often require 4–12 hours total Specializations and professional certificates may take 1–6 months at approximately 5–10 hours per week Many courses are designed to be completed in about 3–8 hours per week over several weeks, though this can vary based on experience and effort. To find the estimated time commitment for a specific course: Open the course page in Coursera Look for sections labeled “Estimated time,” “Duration,” or “X weeks at Y hours per week” Review the syllabus, which often lists time expectations for each module Learners can move faster or slower depending on their schedule, as most Coursera content is flexible and self-paced. Who should I contact for help with Coursera? Answer : For general questions about access, eligibility, or A-State’s Coursera programs, please contact: emdatatech@astate.edu   For technical issues within Coursera (such as login problems, course errors, or platform functionality), users should contact Coursera Support directly. You can access support through the Coursera Help Center or by using the chat feature available within your Coursera account. A-State & Coursera Welcome to Coursera at Arkansas State University Coursera  is a leading global online learning platform that offers flexible, high-quality courses from top universities and organizations. Through A-State’s partnership with Coursera, faculty and staff can access thousands of courses designed to enhance skills, advance careers, and expand learning opportunities. Introducing the Coursera Career Academy Through the  Coursera Career Academy , A-State faculty and staff have access to  over 600 courses  focused on career development and micro-credentialing. Participants can earn professional certificates from major industry leaders such as Google, Meta, and IBM, helping build valuable skills and credentials to stay competitive in today’s workforce. Opportunities for Personal Career Development Faculty and staff can use Coursera to: Earn micro-credentials in specialized fields. Complete professional certifications. Strengthen skills in leadership, technology, communications, project management, and more. Enhance career opportunities at their own pace with flexible online learning. Integrating Coursera into Faculty Courses Faculty are encouraged to incorporate Coursera assignments into their course design. By integrating Coursera modules, you can: Offer real-world, industry-recognized content to students. Assign Coursera courses as graded activities or supplemental learning. Provide students an opportunity to earn additional credentials while completing their degree. This integration enhances the academic experience by connecting coursework with skills needed in today’s professional environment. View video presentation from Coursera and instructions on integrating Coursera with Canvas here, Coursera Faculty Presentation . Career Academy for Students: Quick Start Guide All A-State students with an @smail.astate.edu email are automatically eligible to join Coursera Career Academy. No invitation is needed - simply follow these steps to get started. Step 1: Follow the link . Click the Log In button at the top right-hand corner of the page. Step 2: Select A-State SSO Login Clock the Log in with Arkansas State University button to proceed.   Step 3: Complete A-State SSO and DUO Push Enter your A=State credentials and approve the Duo push notification on your phone. Step 4: Set a Local Coursera Password You will be asked to create a local Coursera password for your account. Your A-State email will already be filled in. You can always login via SSO in the future by using the provided link . That's it! You can now enjoy access to A-State's Career Academy for Students so long as you are an active student. Explore the collection to start learning right away! Career Academy for Students: Finding a Course Coursera Career Academy offers over 670 courses. Here are some quick tips to help narrow down courses based on your interests. Step 1: Click the search bar near the top of the page. Hit enter with the search bar blank. Step 2: Filter by duration, subject, and level. Step 3: Select a course of interest, review the about section and other details. Optional: Enroll on this page if you wish to earn the certificate. Optional: Search course offerings by entering key words or skills you wish to learn. Results will include any course that is associated with that skill or key word. Coursera for Alumni: Quick Start Guide A-State Alumni must first request access to Coursera HERE . Before proceeding, wait to receive your invitation and sign in using the primary alumni address on file. Alumni membership to Coursera is maintained through the alumni office and by invitation. Alumni that have received notice or invitation should follow the steps below to access Coursera Career Academy. Step 1: Follow the link . Click the login button at the top-right hand corner of the page. Step 2: Select "Sign Up" under the blue log in button. Step 3: Enter your full name, the alumni email on file, and designate a new password. Step 4: Use the search bar to browse the Career Academy catalogue. Note: you can click the magnifying glass and search without entering any criteria. You can then filter your results by topic, time requirements, and more.  That's it! You can now take courses within Coursera Career Academy at your own pace.   Coursera Plus Coursera Plus Access for Faculty and Staff Arkansas State University provides access to Coursera through the Career Academy, which offers curated learning pathways aligned to high demand skills and workforce development. These pathways are designed to support professional growth in areas such as data analytics, business, technology, and more. However, some faculty and staff may be looking for content that is not available within the standard Career Academy offerings. In these cases, Coursera Plus may be an option. What is Coursera Plus? Coursera Plus is a broader subscription that provides access to a large catalog of courses, certificates, and learning programs across a wide range of disciplines. This includes content beyond the structured Career Academy tracks, allowing users to explore topics that align with specific teaching, research, or professional development needs. Because Coursera Plus provides expanded access, licenses are limited and must be managed carefully. Requesting Access Faculty and staff who are unable to find the subject area they need within the Career Academy may request access to Coursera Plus. Requests will be reviewed and approved based on availability and alignment with institutional priorities. To request access, please contact: jucarothers@astate.edu   When submitting a request, it is helpful to include the subject area or specific course content you are seeking and how it supports your role. *Please note that due to limited licenses, Not all requests can be approved . *