For years, universities have assumed students would always come to them.
I’m not sure that’s the future anymore.
Millions of professionals are learning through platforms like Coursera, edX, LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, and others because they need flexible, affordable, career-focused education.
That raises an interesting question…
Why aren’t more universities offering their own graduate certificates and workforce programs on Coursera?
Imagine the possibilities.
• Universities expand their global reach.
• Professionals discover the institution before committing to a degree.
• Employers gain trusted, university-backed training for employees.
• Faculty can develop courses that reach tens of thousands instead of dozens.
• Stackable certificates become pathways into master’s programs.
Some argue universities would lose tuition revenue.
I wonder if the opposite is true.
Online platforms can become a marketing engine (build brand awareness, establish credibility), and creating new entry points for learners who may eventually enroll in traditional degree programs.
Higher education has spent decades asking:
“How do we get students to campus?”
Perhaps the better question is:
“How do we bring the university to where learners already are?”
As AI accelerates workforce change, universities that rethink how, and where, they deliver education may be the ones that thrive over the next decade.
What do you think?
Should universities embrace platforms like Coursera as an extension of their mission, or should they keep online learning entirely in-house?
Robert Foreman
Doctoral Candidate – Educational Technology
Central Michigan University
Research Focus
AI-Augmented Exploratory Learning (AAEL)
How Professionals Learn with AI
🌐 Website: NhanceData.com
📧 Email: forem1r@cmich.edu