Coursera's new model to charge students for grading

MOOC provider Coursera is changing its business model in an attempt to increase profit margins, announcing it will begin charging $29 to $99 per course for students who want to submit assignments for grading. In a blog post announcing the change, the company said the new model would bring Coursera toward sustainability and “enable continued investment” as it continues its mission to change the world by providing universal access to learning experiences. However, critics have stated that the move is a push for profits that doesn't align with its original mission; to provide universal access to education, and will move Coursera further away from non-profit MOOC provider edX, which has taken the opportunity to recommit to its free offerings.

PAY FOR GRADE? Coursera will now be charging learners if they want to submit assignments to be graded for certain courses. According to a company spokesperson, these fees will be applicable for “the vast majority of courses that are part of Specializations as well as for a small selection of courses outside of Specializations.” Prices for these courses will range from $29 to $99; financial aid is available. The company currently offers 1,761 courses.

Users who don’t want to pay can still check out videos, assignments and practice assignments, but will only get “view-only access to graded assignments.”

In a blog post, Coursera suggested this change is related to the company’s “need to have a business model that supports our platform, our partners, our content, and everything we do for learners. The changes that we are making this year will move us toward sustainability and enable continued investment in our learning experience.”