Coursera Plus: Is It a Good Investment in 2023?

This article reviews Coursera Plus, a subscription service from Coursera granting unlimited access to over 7,000 courses, specializations, and projects.

Update: A limited-time offer until January 31, 2023, allows you to save $200 on Coursera Plus. If you’ve ever considered joining, now is the perfect time.

As a developer, continually acquiring new skills and technologies is crucial. Coursera Plus offers a more streamlined approach to learning.

This subscription plan gives you access to more than 3,000 courses, specializations, and professional certificates under one umbrella.

While the annual fee of $390 might seem steep compared to other platforms like Pluralsight ($29.99/month), Codecademy ($15.99/month), and Educative ($14.99/month), Coursera stands out by providing accredited certificates from prestigious universities.

If you're questioning the value of Coursera Plus, here are several compelling reasons to consider it:

1. Diverse Learning Opportunities

   With a single subscription, you can delve into various subjects, take prerequisite courses, and enhance your expertise.

2. Cost-Effectiveness

   Coursera Plus proves to be a budget-friendly solution for course enrollment. Instead of paying $30 to $50 for individual specializations, you can save money if you plan to undertake multiple courses within the year.

3. Flexible Learning Experience

   The platform enhances your learning journey by allowing you to explore different courses without the need for separate purchases. You can learn at your own pace and switch between courses seamlessly.

4. Unlimited Certificates

   Many learners are attracted to Coursera for its valuable certificates. With Coursera Plus, you can earn a certificate for each course you complete without incurring additional costs.

In summary, Coursera Plus is a flexible and cost-efficient way to access a wealth of courses. If you're pursuing more than one certification on Coursera, I strongly recommend opting for Coursera Plus to maximize your savings while gaining access to unlimited resources and certificates.

Top Coursera Specializations to Consider in 2023

If you've decided to explore Coursera Plus but are unsure where to begin, here are five highly recommended specializations:

1. Google IT Support Professional Certificate

   This program prepares beginners for an IT career within 3 to 6 months, offering valuable skills such as customer support and troubleshooting.

   • Skills Learned:
     • Customer Support
     • Linux
     • Troubleshooting
     • Network Models

   The project requirement to earn this certificate allows you to apply what you've learned in a practical setting.

   Join here: Google IT Support Professional Certificate

2. Applied Data Science with Python Specialization

   This specialization consists of five courses from the University of Michigan, designed to equip you with data science techniques and analytical skills.

   • Skills Learned:
     • Inferential Statistical Analysis
     • Data Visualization
     • Machine Learning Applications

   Notably, 36% of participants have transitioned to new careers after completing this specialization.

   Join here: Applied Data Science with Python Specialization

3. Excel Skills for Business Specialization

   Mastering Excel is essential for both business and IT, making this specialization a valuable addition to your skill set.

   • Skills Learned:
     • Data Validation
     • Pivot Tables
     • Excel Macros

   Over 42% of learners have reported starting new careers after completing this specialization.

   Join here: Excel Skills for Business Specialization

4. The Science of Well-Being by Yale University

   This free course focuses on enhancing personal happiness and productive habits, with over 2.8 million participants.

   Professor Laurie Santos dispels myths about happiness and presents research-backed strategies for well-being.

   Join here: The Science of Well-Being

5. Python for Everybody Specialization

   Offered by the University of Michigan, this specialization is ideal for learning Python programming and data analysis.

   • Skills Learned:
     • JSON and XML
     • Python Syntax
     • Web Scraping

   A significant number of learners (39%) have reported new job opportunities after completing this specialization.

   Join here: Python for Everybody Specialization

Coursera Plus is an excellent investment for your career, granting unlimited access to over 90% of courses and certifications from top institutions. You can explore various subjects without worrying about individual course fees, making it highly beneficial for continuous learners.

If you haven't yet joined Coursera Plus, take advantage of the current $200 discount until January 31, 2023. This is a rare opportunity to secure the same membership for only $199.

For more resources, check out other Coursera and programming articles you may find interesting:

• Top 10 Courses for Programmers in 2023
• 10 Best Coursera Courses for Cloud Computing
• Top 10 Courses for Web Development
• 10 Data Science Certifications Available on Coursera

Thank you for reading this review. If you found it helpful, please share it with your network. For any questions or feedback, feel free to reach out.

P.S. If you're seeking free Python courses, be sure to check out my curated list of free tutorials from Google, Microsoft, and Coursera.