While students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology pay thousands of dollars for courses, the university will announce a new program on Monday allowing anyone anywhere to take M.I.T. courses online free of charge — and for the first time earn official certificates for demonstrating mastery of the subjects taught. - By Tamar Lewin, NY Times

This is huge.  There’s no better time than that of unemployment to better yourself, your skills, your knowledge base, your value to your future employer; and now you can put MITx’s name (or whatever name they come up with when this officially launches in the spring), which will definitely hold some weight, on your resume once you master the course and get the receive the certification.  The catch here is that the certification may end up coming with some cost, but that fee structure is yet to be determined.  That being said, it will definitely be worth it, along with the knowledge gained.

For MITx’s FAQ click here.

-By Garrett Dale

Co-Founder of The 405 Club