Most, but not all, of the programs providers below are for-profit groups offering non-credit continuing education, professional development, and career-focused online education courses and programs. Many of these providers offer these courses and programs either directly themselves thru their website or in collaboration with local colleges, and universities.

As one example of how some of these “for-profit / non-profit partnerships” work, the for-profit provider provides the online content/courses; while the colleges put in their brand endorsement/local recognition and commit to market the programs to their communities.   In return for their participation in this partnership, the community colleges receive a percentage of the total revenues generated from these courses; and the actual percentage often depends greatly on the size of the potential local market and the community colleges’ total marketing commitment to the partnership.

Most of these providers have different costs, payment and refund policies, AboutEdu strongly recommends you find out what the total costs (course fee, books, fees, etc) will be prior to enrolling, and also of equal importance, is that you find out what is the refund policy of these providers; as some are not able to provide you with a refund once you enter their class, but again, please check directly with the provider for the latest information.