Pennsylvania Penn State Dairy MOOC (Coursera)
By Pennsylvania State University
Last reviewed: December 2025
Complete guide to Penn State's free online Dairy Production and Management course on Coursera. Learn about dairy principles, certificate options, and...
Pennsylvania State University offers a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Dairy Production and Management through Coursera. This free course makes university-level dairy education accessible to anyone worldwide with internet access.
The 8-week course covers fundamental dairy science topics: dairy cattle nutrition, reproductive management, milking and milk quality, young stock management, and dairy business basics. Video lectures, readings, and assessments provide structured learning. Penn State faculty developed the content.
Learners can audit the course for free, accessing all video content and readings. The optional $49 certificate provides official Penn State credential upon completion. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
The self-paced format allows learners to complete modules on their schedule. Most complete the course in 8 weeks with 2-3 hours weekly commitment. The content is designed for beginners—no prior dairy experience required.
This MOOC serves multiple audiences: farm employees seeking foundational knowledge, students exploring dairy careers, international learners without access to dairy programs, and industry professionals wanting refreshers on specific topics.
Key Features
- Free Course Access: Audit course for free. Access all video content and readings. No cost barrier to learning.
- 8-Week Curriculum: Structured learning covering nutrition, reproduction, milking, young stock, and business. 2-3 hours/week.
- Penn State Faculty: University faculty developed content. Academic quality. Research-based information.
- Self-Paced Learning: Complete on your schedule. Fits working professionals. Return to content as needed.
- Optional Certificate: $49 for Penn State certificate of completion. Credential for resume or employer.
- Global Accessibility: Available worldwide. English language. Internet access required.
Advanced Features
- Dairy Cattle Nutrition Module: Feed nutrients, ration basics, feeding management principles.
- Reproductive Management Module: Estrus detection, AI timing, pregnancy diagnosis, reproductive records.
- Milking & Milk Quality Module: Milking procedures, mastitis prevention, quality parameters.
- Young Stock Module: Calf nutrition, housing, health management, heifer development.
- Dairy Business Basics: Economics, record keeping, decision making fundamentals.
- Coursera Mobile App: Learn on mobile devices. Download for offline viewing. Flexible access.
Ideal For
Farm Types: Learning resource for all dairy contexts, Not operation-specific
Competitive Advantages
What sets Penn State Dairy MOOC (Coursera) apart from alternatives:
- Free access (audit option)
- Penn State university quality
- Global accessibility
- Self-paced flexibility
- 8-week comprehensive curriculum
- Optional certificate ($49)
- Mobile app access
- No prerequisites required
- Financial aid available
- Beginner-friendly content
Pricing Information
Here is the pricing information for Penn State Dairy MOOC (Coursera):
Free to audit course (all content). $49 for certificate of completion. Financial aid available for certificate.
Pricing Model: Free audit with paid certificate option
Free audit provides full learning value. Certificate useful for formal credential needs.
Pros & Considerations
- Online dairy education accessible anywhere
- Penn State expertise
- Self-paced learning
- Free or low-cost options
- Quality university content
- Online format limitations
- No hands-on component
- Self-motivation required
- Certificate vs degree distinctions
Implementation & Setup
How to implement Penn State Dairy MOOC (Coursera) on your dairy operation:
Implementation Timeline: 8 weeks at 2-3 hours/week. Can go faster or slower based on schedule.
Training & Support
Training and support options available for Penn State Dairy MOOC (Coursera):
Evaluation Questions
Key questions to consider when evaluating Penn State Dairy MOOC (Coursera):
- Am I seeking dairy science fundamentals?
- Do I need a formal certificate or is learning sufficient?
- Can I commit 2-3 hours weekly for 8 weeks?
- Is self-paced online format right for my learning style?
- Would this supplement other dairy training?