MicroMasters

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MicroMasters programs are a series of online graduate level courses offered by universities through edX that one can take to develop standalone skills for career advancement or earn graduate level credentials. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Contents

First launched in September 2016 with 19 MicroMasters programs from 14 different universities as an extension of its MOOC programs. [5] As of February 2019, 52 different MicroMasters programs are offered, with 48 in English, 3 in Spanish, and 1 in French. [6] 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. [7]

Background

History

The development of the MicroMasters was originally conceived at MIT by Sanjay Sarma and Erdin Beshimov [8] , with Erdin becoming the Founding Director [9] of the program. In its early stage MIT offered the MicroMasters as a pilot within its supply chain management program, consulting industry leaders. 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 impacting businesses around the world. [10] edX subsequently applied for a trademark for "MicroMasters" in response to Udacity registering "nanodegree" as its trademark in 2014. [11] The first 19 MicroMasters programs were subsequently launched in September 2016, in collaboration with 14 different universities. This also included Rochester Institute of Technology's MicroMasters in project management, allowing learners to use it to fulfil the prerequisite of project management education for the PMP certification. [12]

In 2017, General Electric promised to interview any Massachusetts resident who completed a MicroMasters program in supply chain management, cybersecurity, cloud computing, or artificial intelligence. [13] [14]

In 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]

Funding

In October 2016, the Lumina Foundation granted $900,000 to edX to create 30 more MicroMasters certificate programs. [18]

Program structure

Prerequisites

All MicroMasters programs are currently running on the edX MOOC platform, where learners are free to audit any of the courses and pay later should they choose to do so. [19] 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. [20] 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.

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. [21] 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 nameInstitutionInstitutions offering credit for advanced standingSubsequent degree options with advanced standingProgram endorsements
AccountingIndiana University Indiana University MS in AccountingPwC
Accounting and Financial ManagementUMUC, University System of Maryland UMUC MS in Accounting and Financial ManagementXero Americas
Algorithms and Data Structures University of California, San Diego Rochester Institute of Technology MS in Professional StudiesYandex
Analytics: Essential Tools and MethodsGeorgia Institute of Technology Georgia Institute of Technology MS in AnalyticsEquifax, Tech Mahindra
Artificial IntelligenceColumbia University Columbia University Master of Computer ScienceGeneral Electric
Big DataUniversity of Adelaide University of Adelaide Master of Data SciencePwC
Chemistry and Technology for SustainabilityWageningen University & Research Wageningen University & Research MSc in Biobased SciencesAzkoNobel
BioinformaticsUMUC, University System of Maryland UMUC Master of BiotechnologyGeneDx
Business AnalyticsColumbia University Columbia University MS in Management Science & Engineering, MS in Marketing Science, MS in Business AnalyticsBloomberg
Business and Operations for a Circular Bio-EconomyWageningen University & Research Wageningen University & Research MSc in Biobased SciencesCroda
Business FundamentalsUniversity of British Columbia University of British Columbia Master of ManagementHootsuite
Business LeadershipThe University of Queensland The University of Queensland Master of BusinessWoollam Constructions, Virgin Australia
Business ManagementIndian Institute of Management Bangalore Indian Institute of Management Bangalore Advanced Management ProgramOracle Consulting
Certified Lifestyle Medicine ExecutiveDoane University Doane University MBAAvera
Cloud ComputingUMUC, University System of Maryland UMUC Masters in Cloud Computing ArchitectureBooz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin
Corporate InnovationThe University of Queensland The University of Queensland Masters Entrepreneurship and InnovationEY
CybersecurityRochester Institute of TechnologyRochester Institute of TechnologyMSc in Computing SecurityIBM, Tech Mahindra
Data ScienceUniversity of California, San Diego Curtin University, Rochester Institute of Technology MSc in Data Science, Master of Predictive AnalyticsMitchell International, Tech Mahindra
Design ThinkingRochester Institute of Technology Rochester Institute of Technology MS in Professional StudiesAutodesk
Digital LeadershipBoston University Boston University MS in Digital InnovationFidelity, Tech Mahindra
Digital Product ManagementBoston University Boston University MS in Digital InnovationFidelity
Economics and Policies for a Circular Bio-EconomyWageningen University Wageningen University MSc in Biobased SciencesCroda
Emerging Automotive TechnologiesChalmers University of Technology Chalmers University of Technology MSc in Automotive Engineering, MSc in Systems, Control and MechatronicsVolvo, Zenuity
EntrepreneurshipIndian Institute of Management Bangalore Indian Institute of Management Bangalore Infosys
Finance MIT Sloan School of Management MIT Sloan School of ManagementMaster of FinanceGoldman Sachs
Global Business Leadership and ManagementArizona State University Arizona State University Master of Applied Leadership & Management, Master of Global ManagementYDM
Healthcare AdministrationDoane University Doane University MBASchoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Human RightsCurtin University Curtin University Master of Human RightsAmnesty International
Information SystemsIndiana University Indiana University Master of Science in Information SystemsEY
Integrated Digital MediaNew York University New York University, Rochester Institute of Technology M.S. in Integrated Digital Media, Master of Science in Professional StudiesMicrosoft
International Hospitality ManagementThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University The Hong Kong Polytechnic University MSc in International Hospitality ManagementThe Dragon Hotel, Hotel ICON
International LawUniversité catholique de Louvain Université catholique de Louvain LL.M. in International Law,

Online LLM in International Law

Foley Hoag
Internet of ThingsCurtin University Curtin University Master of International Business and Entrepreneurship, Master of Engineering Science (Electrical Engineering)Cisco, Tech Mahindra
Instructional Design and TechnologyUMUC, University System of Maryland UMUC Masters in Learning Design and TechnologyDiscovery Education
Leadership in Global DevelopmentThe University of Queensland The University of Queensland Master of Leadership in Global DevelopmentAECOM, Overseas Development Institute
Leading Educational Innovation and ImprovementThe 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 PedagogyCarnegie Foundation
ManagementUniversité catholique de Louvain Université catholique de Louvain Master of ManagementVolvo
Managing Technology & InnovationRWTH Aachen University RWTH Aachen University MSc in Management and Engineering in Technology, Innovation, Marketing and EntrepreneurshipFord, Tech Mahindra
Marketing AnalyticsUniversity of California, Berkeley Curtin University Master of MarketingOn Demand Advisors
Marketing in a Digital WorldCurtin University Curtin University Master of MarketingMarketforce
MBA Core CurriculumUniversity System of Maryland, The University of Maryland, College Park The University of Maryland, College ParkMBANorthrop Grumman
Nano-Science and TechnologyPurdue University Purdue University MS in Electrical and Computer EngineeringQualcomm, Rolls-Royce
Predictive Analytics for Business ApplicationsUniversity of Edinburgh University of Edinburgh MSc in Business AnalyticsPwC
Principles of ManufacturingMassachusetts 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
Project ManagementRochester Institute of Technology Rochester Institute of Technology MS in Professional StudiesPaychex
RoboticsUniversity of Pennsylvania University of Pennsylvania MSE in RoboticsRethink Robotics
Social Work: Practice, Policy and ResearchThe University of Michigan University of Michigan Master in Social WorkNational Council for Behavioral Health
Software Development University of British Columbia Curtin University MSc in Computer ScienceHootsuite
Software Testing and VerificationUMUC, University System of Maryland UMUC Master in Information TechnologyBooz Allen Hamilton
Solar Energy EngineeringDelft University of Technology Delft University of Technology MSc in Sustainable Energy Technology, MSc in Electrical EngineeringTrina Solar
Statistics and Data Science Massachusetts Institute of Technology Chulalongkorn University, Covenant University, Curtin University, Deakin University, Doane University, Galileo University, Harvard Extension School, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Reykjavik University, RMIT University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Royal Roads University, Southern New Hampshire University, Tsinghua University, Universidad Technologica PhD in Social and Engineering Systems, MS in Professional Studies, MBA, MBA in Healthcare Management, 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 ManagementBooz Allen Hamilton
Supply Chain Management Massachusetts Institute of Technology Arizona State University, Covenant University, Curtin University, Deakin University, Doane University, Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg, Griffith University, Harvard Extension School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Purdue University, Reykjavík University, RMIT University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Royal Roads University, 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, Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies, M.Sc in Business Management, MSc in Industrial EngineeringWalmart
Sustainable EnergyThe University of Queensland The University of Queensland Master of Sustainable EnergyGlobal CCS Institute
Water and Global Human Health Queen's University Queen's UniversityGraduate Diploma in Water and Human HealthMalroz

Demographics

According to a report by Columbia University's Teachers College, a typical MicroMasters student is well-educated and employed, with almost 80% having an undergraduate degree or better. [22] The majority of the learners are between the age of 22 and 44, with the United States and India forming 16% and 14% of the learners, followed by Brazil, Colombia, and Nigeria forming the next 3%. The majority of learners have also shown fluency or proficiency in English.

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