The use of open electronic courses is a relatively new tendency in education and it is not yet fully discovered by researchers. This article examines the specifics of the introduction of online courses, including the requirements to them, as well as factors that slow down their active development. The following methods of investigation were used: analysis, synthesis, deduction and induction. As an example the Kozma Minin Nizhny Novgorod State Pedagogical University - Minin University was used. On the basis of the study of the "Regulations on the use of open courses in the educational activities of Minin University", it was noted, in addition to the functions of the coordination group on open education, that for the trainee at the end of the course, in the case of unsatisfactory result, the possibility of the recalculation is established. This possibility is used not by every university. In the article we make a conclusion that open courses are a new qualitative step in the development of world education, but online courses would be much more effective as narrow-minded, adult-oriented, and deeply motivated for learning. Taken as the basis of research, Minin University showed that the university is ready for the implementation of online courses. It is one of the few universities that actively use open courses in Russia. © 2018 International Strategic Management Association. All Rights Reserved.