YouTube, ASU, and Crash Course Unite for Affordable and Accessible Higher Education

Source: YouTube

YouTube is partnering with Arizona State University (ASU) and Hank and John Green’s Crash Course on Study Hall, a new initiative to create affordable and accessible college learning with transferable college credits.

How It Will Work

Starting this week, learners can sign up for “College Foundations” courses, which include common first-year courses such as English Composition, College Math, US History, and Human Communication. Courses are developed and taught by ASU faculty members, who also research and teach on its campuses.

Learners can get started immediately as there are no applications or minimum GPA requirements. They can also watch courses at no cost. But, there is a $25 fee for students who choose to take coursework and a $400 fee to receive college credit for each course, which is transferable at any institution that accepts transfer credit from ASU. Students can take courses as often as needed to achieve their desired grades. Study Hall is expected to expand to 12 available courses by January 2025.

An Innovative and Equitable Pathway to Higher Education

Study Hall delivers an innovative and equitable pathway to higher education. It allows students to take college-level courses and earn credits before even applying to college. By doing so, they also can get insight into what majors they may be interested in or whether college is right for them. The best thing is that they can do all these without significant investment. With course credits being significantly cheaper than the average course costs for both public and private four-year universities, students can benefit from higher education without the financial burden.

Beyond course credits and low costs, Study Hall is notable because it reflects a growing trend of people, especially younger generations learning through social media platforms like YouTube. As studies have shown, much of Gen Z prefers to learn from YouTube and videos rather than printed books. Courses coming through YouTube and in video formats allow students to learn in a familiar and preferred environment.

Disrupting Higher Education for Good

Study Hall is just one of the more recent examples of how creators and social media are disrupting higher education for good. Among the most notable moves in the interaction between social media and higher education, YouTube has played a prominent role in some form. In September, YouTube announced the launch of new educational product features to help creators offer interactive courses. A month after that, MrBeast, the world’s most subscribed YouTuber, and East Carolina University announced a new credential program to prepare students to work in the creator economy.

What’s Next

Study Hall's early success could spur the advancement of higher education by demonstrating that education can be conducted outside of traditional classrooms. Upgrading the college path can make it more affordable and accessible, benefiting more students. As more educational institutions recognize the value of social media in learning, other colleges and universities, particularly those that are forward-thinking, are likely to adopt similar programs.