What's your opinion on MicroMasters programs?

[Peter123456789]

yes, you're correct. In some cases, like MIT, you still have to take the GMAT and have letters, etc.

No GMAT is needed if you take this path to MIT's supply chain program

[cookderosa]

No GMAT is needed if you take this path to MIT's supply chain program

I'm curious about this. When I first read the press on this, it was a direct entry - pass the tests and gain entry, but when I researched it through the edx link that's now up and running, it's showing some admissions requirements like GMAT. I'm confused about what is ultimately required for admission.

[mednat]

I'm curious about this. When I first read the press on this, it was a direct entry - pass the tests and gain entry, but when I researched it through the edx link that's now up and running, it's showing some admissions requirements like GMAT. I'm confused about what is ultimately required for admission.

That's my primary concern. If it were direct admission, I'd fully support it (even with the crazy high tuition), but my understanding is each school sets their own admission criteria. MIT decided that they will waive the GRE/GMAT for this program, but all other criteria stands. Some schools are even less definitive, with the worst not even saying exactly how many credits you receive for the MM portion of the coursework. I think grouping these credentials together is misleading, because each seem to function completely different from the other. I'm not sure how possible it would have been, but it would be nice if edx would have set some base criteria: ie: a MM is X courses/credits, that guarantee admission, or grant a certificate if passed. Instead they let each school decide what the credential is, and how it works.

MIT includes a review of your coursework in the micro masters, but have indicated a pass is not enough. On the FAQ, "What are my chances of being admitted question?" they respond

"This is a good question that we do not have a great answer for, since this is a new program. But, obviously, doing better in the online courses will increase your chances of gaining admittance to MIT. However, we should stress that simply having high grades will not guarantee admission – we look at all aspects of an applicant to include SCx scores, writing capability, etc."

I wish they would have modeled this more like the Harvard extension model. From what I've seen, that is the model I think would function best for these new micromaster type programs. Why would you need a test score, etc when a student has proven they can handle the work? I can't come up with an answer other than it makes the process more selective, which speaks more to elitism than to academic ability.

[cookderosa]

That's my primary concern. If it were direct admission, I'd fully support it (even with the crazy high tuition), but my understanding is each school sets their own admission criteria. MIT decided that they will waive the GRE/GMAT for this program, but all other criteria stands. Some schools are even less definitive, with the worst not even saying exactly how many credits you receive for the MM portion of the coursework. I think grouping these credentials together is misleading, because each seem to function completely different from the other. I'm not sure how possible it would have been, but it would be nice if edx would have set some base criteria: ie: a MM is X courses/credits, that guarantee admission, or grant a certificate if passed. Instead they let each school decide what the credential is, and how it works.

MIT includes a review of your coursework in the micro masters, but have indicated a pass is not enough. On the FAQ, "What are my chances of being admitted question?" they respond

"This is a good question that we do not have a great answer for, since this is a new program. But, obviously, doing better in the online courses will increase your chances of gaining admittance to MIT. However, we should stress that simply having high grades will not guarantee admission – we look at all aspects of an applicant to include SCx scores, writing capability, etc."

I wish they would have modeled this more like the Harvard extension model. From what I've seen, that is the model I think would function best for these new micromaster type programs. Why would you need a test score, etc when a student has proven they can handle the work? I can't come up with an answer other than it makes the process more selective, which speaks more to elitism than to academic ability.

I think it's a case of them just figuring it out as they go as opposed to being difficult. Those questions are all filters we would use when picking a program, but I think the Average Joe Public doesn't do all the "if-then" investigation before enrolling. I think since it's new, it's a matter of them responding as these questions come up instead of being preemptive.

[davewill]

I think it's a case of them just figuring it out as they go as opposed to being difficult. Those questions are all filters we would use when picking a program, but I think the Average Joe Public doesn't do all the "if-then" investigation before enrolling. I think since it's new, it's a matter of them responding as these questions come up instead of being preemptive.

Besides so many of the answers depend on how many people apply to the program. They probably can't simply take all comers.

[cardiacclep]

I think they are interesting and bridge to a new future of education. I do like that they are credit back and is some cases can account for about a 1/3 of masters. However, like all education the big question is how do employers view these certs. At worse they won't hurt. At best they provide a fiscally safe way to test waters for a new career or to see if you even like the material. The supply chain mgmt from MIT and the project mgmt from RIT in partnership with Edx seems interesting. I hope the trend to find affordable ways to make education affordable continues so I support it.

[sanantone]

It looks like University of Maryland University College might beat RIT for having the best deal. I was looking at the latest MicroMasters programs added to edX, and UMUC had the cheapest one at $747. You'll earn 12 credits toward their 36-credit Master of Biotechnology with a concentration in Bioinformatics. The program is available entirely online. Since UMUC is not a competitive school, you don't have to worry about getting in as long as you meet the minimum requirements.

https://www.edx.org/micromasters/bioinformatics

[AJ_Atlanta]

It looks like University of Maryland University College might beat RIT for having the best deal. I was looking at the latest MicroMasters programs added to edX, and UMUC had the cheapest one at $747. You'll earn 12 credits toward their 36-credit Master of Biotechnology with a concentration in Bioinformatics. The program is available entirely online. Since UMUC is not a competitive school, you don't have to worry about getting in as long as you meet the minimum requirements.

https://www.edx.org/micromasters/bioinformatics

It's a start, but the rest are just missing an opportunity IMHO

[jadae@wgu.edu]

I think MM's are a great idea. Essentially Grad Certificates. But... Very few of the ones in current practice are of actual interest to most people.

[sanantone]

Except, graduate certificates consist of portable college credits directly from accredited schools. A micromaster can be converted into credits in one school's master's program if you're accepted, but they don't have any academic utility beyond that. They're just edX certificates that aren't covered under a school's accreditation until converted. It remains to be seen if a micromaster will be treated the same as a graduate certificate by employers. I can predict that the name will throw employers off similar to the way a nanodegree would.

Maybe most of the the micromasters programs won't be of interest to most people, but that's because most people get generic degrees in oversaturated fields. The micromasters programs are designed to teach in-demand skills, for the most part.