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+--- Thread: What's your opinion on MicroMasters programs? (/Thread-What-s-your-opinion-on-MicroMasters-programs)
What's your opinion on MicroMasters programs? - sanantone - 09-20-2016
The Supply Chain Management program through MIT was the first MicroMasters offered by edX. If you get into their master's program, the edX courses will count as credits toward the degree. Now, edX has more MicroMasters programs with other U.S. and international universities. I didn't look at all the programs; but, from the ones I sampled, the cost of the courses range from $99 to $300 each. Each MicroMasters program earns credits toward a ground, hybrid, or online master's degree if admitted. EdX has a list of industry leaders that will recognize the credential.
https://www.edx.org/micromasters?utm_content=course-announcements-mailing-list&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=studentnewsletter-20160920&utm_source=sailthru
What's your opinion on MicroMasters programs? - jsd - 09-20-2016
My opinion is pointless. What's the hiring market's opinion?
If there's any data available based on program reputation, or hiring success, or related info? it'd tell us a lot. I'd imagine it's too early to tell. But if I'm wrong, that'd be exciting data to see!
What's your opinion on MicroMasters programs? - cookderosa - 09-20-2016
I spent a little time investigating the Hospitality Masters. It's 4 edX courses @ $150 each followed by an on-campus requirement at the Hong Kong Poly-Tech University.
In short- the micromaster is interesting. Only $600, which is about what I would pay for a high quality CE program, and this has potential graduate credit - whether or not it's realistic for many people to follow through, I don't know. So, I looked at it a bit more.
In this MS, there are essentially 11 courses required. The 4 from edX consist of 2 core and 2 electives. You can only use 1 elective, so the other is "wasted" in that regard, but that leaves 8 to complete. As best I can tell, the entire degree is $25,000 US which is roughly $2200 per course. The edX courses "save" you $6600 which is awesome. The remaining portion is about $18,500. Certainly not a bad price for a masters, and for a young adventuring person, I think it's pretty great. School of Hotel & Tourism Management
EdX is showing 19 micro masters options. A handful are taught in French or Spanish. I think it would be an interesting project to write a summary of each program, I might do that if I get a little free time this week.
One more point, there is a lot of variance between what the receiving university will accept, costs to follow through with the full masters, and entrance requirements. There is even variance in the cost to do the edX portion.
What's your opinion on MicroMasters programs? - TrailRunr - 09-21-2016
Just looking at the AI micromasters from Columbia, it could be worth it if hiring managers are aware that the micromaster credential counts towards 25% of a MSCS from Columbia University and it validates the candidate's AI/ML knowledge. If it was convertible to 25% of TESU or COSC instead of Columbia, I'd pass on this. Because of the potential to convert to grad school credit at Columbia, it's very likely that none of the classes are fluff courses. Even if this thing is worth zero at every other grad school, convertibility to 25% of the Columbia MSCS might be enough to gamble $1200. This combined with a BSCS or BS in Math might be enough to get a job that requires AI/ML. I'm going on the assumption that I will never be able to directly convert the $1200 into grad school credits.
What's your opinion on MicroMasters programs? - sanantone - 09-21-2016
It would be nice if these could be converted to credits without being admitted.
What's your opinion on MicroMasters programs? - cookderosa - 09-21-2016
sanantone Wrote:It would be nice if these could be converted to credits without being admitted.
Agreed, but I'm sure you're thinking what I'm thinking.....what is required to generate the official transcript from the college/university? I'm not flying to Hong Kong or anything, but I think the Thunderbird program is online...might be worth testing.
In some of these micro courses, you can get really close to 18 credits, the magic number for teaching.
What's your opinion on MicroMasters programs? - sanantone - 09-21-2016
Yeah, there are a couple of ways these courses could be helpful if one can get a transcript from the school. The graduate credits can be helpful for teaching, or they can be transferred to another graduate or undergraduate program. I'm assuming they won't generate a transcript until the student completes a regular course, but it might be worth it to apply and gain acceptance if they'll generate a transcript at that point. I just wish these could be converted to graduate certificates from the accredited colleges offering them rather than a MicroMasters from edX.
Edit: RIT's Advanced Certificate in Project Management is only 12 credit hours, and the edX courses account for 9 of those credits. They offer project management courses online. The bad part is that, even though the courses are only $150 each, the capstone exam is $600.
What's your opinion on MicroMasters programs? - davewill - 09-21-2016
It's also a cheap way to get your feet wet so that you can decide whether you want to follow through. It might also be helpful with admissions if your resume isn't the greatest.
What's your opinion on MicroMasters programs? - mednat - 09-21-2016
I'll be the standout..
I'm kind of uneasy about them if I'm honest. I love the idea, making high quality education accessible to the masses.
But my concerns are...
The name...Micromasters? Sounds like a marketing gimmick. Before micro masters we had graduate certificates. They were basically the same thing...the only difference brings me to my next concern. You're not guaranteed credit. You have to do real graduate level work, pay real money (although less than normal), and then apply and HOPE that you can convert those two things into real graduate credits/degrees.
If University of Phoenix would have been the first school to create a micromasters program we would likely be discussing how greedy and how unethical it is. With that being said, the ability to learn from the great professors and schools of our day is absolutely awesome! I'm just not sold on the for-credit piece of this. If they automatically and 100% converted into a graduate certificate for the number of credits you've taken -- this whole thing would make a heck of alot more sense. Why do you have to take a class at the school to get credits you've already earned?
Just my 2 cents.
What's your opinion on MicroMasters programs? - yb1 - 09-21-2016
sanantone Wrote:Yeah, there are a couple of ways these courses could be helpful if one can get a transcript from the school. The graduate credits can be helpful for teaching, or they can be transferred to another graduate or undergraduate program. I'm assuming they won't generate a transcript until the student completes a regular course, but it might be worth it to apply and gain acceptance if they'll generate a transcript at that point. I just wish these could be converted to graduate certificates from the accredited colleges offering them rather than a MicroMasters from edX.
Edit: RIT's Advanced Certificate in Project Management is only 12 credit hours, and the edX courses account for 9 of those credits. They offer project management courses online. The bad part is that, even though the courses are only $150 each, the capstone exam is $600.
I will be keeping my eye out on this program. Something to do while I apply for grad programs. I like the idea of project management this would be pretty sweet.