MicroMasters

MicroMasters programs are a series of online graduate level courses launched by edX that one can take to develop standalone skills for career advancement or earn graduate level credentials[1] from its respective universities, equivalent to a semester of a full master's degree[2]. It was designed to be the bridge between a bachelor's degree and a master's degree, allowing employees to continue advancing their education without affecting their employment and personal commitments.[3]

First launched in September 2016 with 19 MicroMasters programs as an extension of its MOOC, edX eventually expanded to include 17 additional programs in February 2017. As of September 2018, 50 different MicroMasters programs are being offered.[4] Each MicroMasters program is sponsored by at least one industry partner, including GE, Microsoft, IBM, Hootsuite, Fidelity, Bloomberg, Walmart, PWC, Booz-Allen Hamilton, and Ford.[5] These programs are designed to bridge the gap between job candidates with a bachelor's degree and companies that want employees with an advanced degree by offering credentials that are equivalent to 25 to 50 percent of a master's degree or 20 to 30 ECTS in Europe.[6]

Unlike other existing microcredentials, the MicroMasters programs offer both the benefit of gaining relevant skills in a particular field that can support career development and a pathway to advanced credits in the respective universities offering the course. This includes many of the top universities in the world such as MIT, Columbia University, Delft University of Technology, and Indian Institute of Management. The idea of the MicroMasters program started out as an iteration of the existing MOOC model when Coursera first started offering specializations for its various disciplines and a response to the changing nature of work as well as the major skills shortage currently impacting businesses around the world.[7]

Program Structure

Prerequisites

All MicroMasters programs are currently running on the edX MOOC platform, where learners are free to audit any of the courses. Depending on the program, there are prerequisites ranging from graduate level understanding of various specific disciplines or work experienced. However, these prerequisites serve as recommended guidelines for the learners rather than a strictly enforced rule so there are no specific degree requirements for any of the courses.[8] However, learners will have to pay if they wish to pursue a verified certificate.

Certification

To qualify for a certificate for successfully completing a MicroMasters Program, all learners are required to complete a series of interactive courses as specified in the respective MicroMasters program and achieve a minimum grade according to the institution awarding the certification.

For learners interested in developing skills for professional advancement, the certificate for completing a MicroMasters Program may be sufficient.

Continuing Education

For learners interested in academic credit, the learner must be admitted into the university's respective master's program. Some programs, such as the MicroMasters Program in Supply Chain Management by MIT also operate on a blended learning model which include a timed examination as well as a final proctored examination. Admission requirements for its on-campus blended learning program differ from its traditional residential admission requirements as applicants are not required to submit scores in a GRE or GMAT as performance in the Micromasters program will be taken as a substitute for it.[9] Some other programs still follow usual admission guidelines and the MicroMasters program has little to no impact on their application apart from receiving advanced credits upon admission into its respective programs. Generally, most courses include practice exercises which are ungraded as well as graded assignments with limited attempts.

The following is a list of the current MicroMasters programs offered as well as the respective graduate degree options available for each program upon graduation of the MicroMasters program.

MicroMasters Program Name Institution Institutions Offering Credit for Advanced Standing Subsequent Degree Options with Advanced Standing
Accounting and Financial Management UMUC, University System of Maryland UMUC MS in Accounting and Financial Management
Algorithms and Data Structures University of California, San Diego Rochester Institute of Technology MS in Professional Studies
Analytics: Essential Tools and Methods Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia Institute of Technology MS in Analytics
Artificial Intelligence Columbia University Columbia University Master of Computer Science
Big Data University of Adelaide University of Adelaide Master of Data Science
Chemistry and Technology for Sustainability Wageningen University & Research Wageningen University & Research MSc in Biobased Sciences
Bioinformatics UMUC, University System of Maryland UMUC Master of Biotechnology
Business Analytics Columbia University Columbia University MS in Management Science & Engineering, MS in Marketing Science, MS in Business Analytics
Business Fundamentals University of British Columbia University of British Columbia Master of Management
Business Leadership The University of Queensland The University of Queensland Master of Business
Business Management Indian Institute of Management Bangalore Indian Institute of Management Bangalore Advanced Management Program
Certified Lifestyle Medicine Executive Doane University Doane University MBA
Cloud Computing UMUC, University System of Maryland UMUC Masters in Cloud Computing Architecture
Corporate Innovation The University of Queensland The University of Queensland Masters Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Cybersecurity Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester Institute of Technology MSc in Computing Security
Data, Economics, and Development Policy Massachussets Institute of Technology Massachussets Institute of Technology, The American University in Cairo, Doane University, Deakin University, Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México, Chulalongkorn University Masters in Data, Economics, and Development Policy, Masters in Economics in International Development, MBA, Master of Public Health, Master of Health Economics, Master of International and Community Development, Master of Humanitarian Assistance, Master of Development and Humanitarian Action, Master of Health and Human Services Management, Master of Nutrition and Population Health, Master in Applied Economics
Data Science University of California, San Diego Curtin University, Rochester Institute of Technology MSc in Data Science, Master of Predictive Analytics
Design Thinking Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester Institute of Technology MS in Professional Studies
Digital Leadership Boston University Boston University MS in Digital Innovation
Digital Product Management Boston University Boston University MS in Digital Innovation
Emerging Automotive Technologies Chalmers University of Technology Chalmers University of Technology MSc in Automotive Engineering, MSc in Systems, Control and Mechatronics
Entrepreneurship Indian Institute of Management Bangalore Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
Evidence-Based Management Australian National University Australian National University Master of Management, Master of International Management, Master of Marketing Management, Master of Leadership, Master of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Master of Project Management, Master of Business Information Systems
Healthcare Administration Doane University Doane University MBA
Human Rights Curtin University Curtin University Master of Human Rights
International Business Management Arizona State University Arizona State University Master of Applied Leadership & Management, Master of Global Management
International Hospitality Management The Hong Kong Polytechnic University The Hong Kong Polytechnic University MSc in International Hospitality Management
International Law Université catholique de Louvain Université catholique de Louvain LL.M. in International Law
Internet of Things Curtin University Curtin University Master of International Business and Entrepreneurship, Master of Engineering Science (Electrical Engineering)
Instructional Design and Technology UMUC, University System of Maryland UMUC Masters in Learning Design and Technology
Leadership in Global Development The University of Queensland The University of Queensland Master of Leadership in Global Development
Leading Educational Innovation and Improvement The University of Michigan The University of Michigan Master in Educational Leadership and Policy, Master in Teaching and Learning, Master in New Media and Literacy, Master in Urban Pedagogy
Management Université catholique de Louvain Université catholique de Louvain Master of Management
Managing Technology & Innovation RWTH Aachen University RWTH Aachen University MSc in Management and Engineering in Technology, Innovation, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Marketing Analytics University of California, Berkeley Curtin University Master of Marketing
Marketing in a Digital World Curtin University Curtin University Master of Marketing
MBA Core Curriculum University System of Maryland, The University of Maryland, College Park The University of Maryland, College Park MBA
Principles of Manufacturing Massachussets Institute of Technology Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology, RMIT University, Chulalongkorn University MEng in Advanced Manufacturing and Design, Master of Engineering Management, MS in Professional Studies, MBA
Professional Android Developer Universidad Galileo Universidad Galileo Master in Information Technology
Project Management Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester Institute of Technology MS in Professional Studies
Robotics University of Pennsylvania University of Pennsylvania MSE in Robotics
Social Work: Practice, Policy and Research The University of Michigan The University of Michigan Master in Social Work
Software Development University of British Columbia Curtin University MSc in Computer Science
Software Testing and Verification UMUC, University System of Maryland UMUC Master in Information Technology
Solar Energy Engineering Delft University of Technology Delft University of Technology MSc in Sustainable Energy Technology, MSc in Electrical Engineering
Statistics and Data Science Massachussets Institute of Technology Curtin University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Reykjavik University, Rochester Institute of Technology, RMIT University, Doane University, Galileo University, Chulalongkorn University PhD in Social and Engineering Systems, MS in Professional Studies, MBA, Master of Predictive Analytics, Master of Business Analytics, Master of Health Economics, Master of Information Systems, Master of Public Health, Master of Data Analytics, Master of Cyber Security Professional, Master of Nutrition and Population Health, Master of Information Technology, Master of Data Science, Master of Business Management, MSc in Business Management, Master of Information Management, MSc in Information Management
Supply Chain Management Massachussets Institute of Technology Curtin University, Deakin University, Doane University, Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg, Griffith University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Purdue University, RMIT University, Rochester Institute of Technology, The University of Queensland, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Universidad Galileo, University of Zaragoza MEng in Supply Chain Management, MBA, Master in Operations Management, Master of Commerce, Master of Information Management, M.Sc in Business Management, MSc in Industrial Engineering
Sustainable Energy The University of Queensland The University of Queensland Master of Sustainable Energy
User Experience Research and Design The University of Michigan The University of Michigan MS in Information

Recent developments

2014

Georgia Institute launched its online master's in computer science to emulate its residential program as much as possible.[10] Later, in 2017, with edX it also started a MicroMasters program for analytics, which would allow advanced credits for its online master's in analytics (for admitted learners) and also support learners interested in the subject matter and for whom the MicroMasters program certificate met career needs.[11]

2016

edX applied for a trademark for "MicroMasters" in response to Udacity registering "nanodegree" as its trademark in 2014.[12] The Rocheter Institute of Technology launched its MicroMasters in project management, allowing learners to use it to fulfil the prerequisite of project management education for the PMP certification.[13]

2017

General Electric has promised to interview any Massachusetts resident who completed a MicroMasters program in supply chain management, cybersecurity, cloud computing, or artificial intelligence.[14]

2018

MIT admitted its first batch of 40 students into its blended supply chain management program from graduates of its MicroMasters program, reducing its usual 10-month program to 5 months.[15] This pilot also saw 200,000 people signing up, 19,000 earning certificates and 800 sitting for the final proctored examination.[16] It was reported in July 2018 that the students who were admitted into the blended program had better than average scores across the board than those who were in the residential program.[17] The MIT Statistics and Data Science Center has also announced the launch of its MicroMasters program in Statistics and Data Science slated for the fall of 2018.[18]

In July 2018, the University of Maryland announced a MicroMasters program for a MBA core curriculum, offering graduates transferable credits to a full MBA degree.[19] In September 2018, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority provided its employees with the opportunity to join the MicroMasters program in data, economics, and development policy led by Esther Duflo as part of a strategy to develop the capabilities of young Emiratis.[20]

References

  1. ↑ Gordon, Adam. "'MicroMasters' Surge As MOOCs Go From Education To Qualification". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  2. ↑ Selingo, Jeffrey (2018-04-16). "The Future of College Looks Like the Future of Retail". Retrieved 2018-08-09.
  3. ↑ Williams, Terri (2017-11-19). "MicroMasters: The Bridge Between a Bachelor's Degree and a Graduate Degree". ThoughtCo. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  4. ↑ "MicroMasters Programs | edX". edX. 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  5. ↑ Gordon, Adam. "'MicroMasters' Surge As MOOCs Go From Education To Qualification". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-03-08.
  6. ↑ Williams, Terri (2016-10-21). "MicroMasters: The Next Big Thing After a Bachelor's Degree?". GoodCall. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
  7. ↑ "Reflecting on the Original Big Idea for MOOCs | Inside Higher Ed". www.insidehighered.com. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
  8. ↑ Montag, Ali (2017-07-14). "Here's how to skip college and go straight to grad school—at MIT". CNBC. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
  9. ↑ "SCMb Masters Degree Admissions | MIT Supply Chain Management". scm.mit.edu. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
  10. ↑ Carey, Kevin (2016-09-28). "An Online Education Breakthrough? A Master's Degree for a Mere $7000". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
  11. ↑ "Georgia Tech Welcomes First Cohort of Online Master's Degree in Analytics". Georgia Tech Professional Education. 2017-08-14. Retrieved 2018-09-16.
  12. ↑ Young, Jeffrey (2016-11-03). "Why Udacity and EdX Want to Trademark the Degrees of the Future—and What's at Stake for Students". EdSurge. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
  13. ↑ Bush, Katie (2018-01-17). "What is the difference between the PMP certification and the Project Management MicroMasters certificate?". RIT Confluence Wiki. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
  14. ↑ Kronk, Henry (2017-11-28). "GE Will Interview Any Massachusetts Resident Who Completes an edX MicroMasters Program in Certain Fields | eLearningInside News". eLearningInside News. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  15. ↑ "SCMb Program Details | MIT Supply Chain Management". scm.mit.edu. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  16. ↑ Fellingham, Chris (2018-04-26). "Moocs are a solution in search of a problem". Times Higher Education. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
  17. ↑ Etherington, Cait (2018-07-17). "MIT's Hybrid MicroMaster's Program Reports Early Success". ElearningInside News. Retrieved 2018-07-23.
  18. ↑ Bolkan, Joshua (2018-04-24). "MIT to Launch Online Micromasters in Data Science". Campus Technology. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
  19. ↑ "Maryland Smith Launches MicroMasters in MBA Core Curriculum on edX.org". PR Newswire. 2018-07-09. Retrieved 2018-07-30.
  20. ↑ Rizvi, Fakhir (2018-09-16). "DEWA Gives Emirati Employees Access To MicroMasters From MIT". UrduPoint. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.