What's your opinion on MicroMasters programs?

[cookderosa]

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.

There are actually a few things that aren't exactly matching up with your understanding- I'm not picking on you, there isn't a ton of info on the website, I'm sure more will come.
Micromasters and graduate certificates are different. A micromasters is a free non credit MOOC that certain colleges are allowing you to use toward completion of a graduate degree at that school. Think of it like a Straighterline partnership. You're not getting credit unless you put it into a school- and in this case, there is only 1 school that accepts it. So, without enrollment, it's a MOOC. With enrollment, it's credit.

Cost: The classes and your education is free, but you pay for the verification if you choose - that will involve a proctored exam and some assignments depending- that add on will cost you between $100-$300. This is not unlike the Saylor program in existence now. EdX is similar, but in this context, they are doing the same thing but with graduate credit.

A graduate certificate is a collection of graduate courses you take through a college/university. Admissions, sometimes GRE, and a host of other criteria go into "getting in" and then from that point you complete the assignments, get a grade, and have a transcript. Sometimes graduate certificates are integrated into degree programs, but not always.

The SMART thing about this, is that edX didn't roll out the program until a partnership was in place. In other words, you're not taking a class and hoping someone takes it, you're taking SPECIFIC classes that you already KNOW will be accepted at a specific college and in a specific program.

[mednat]

There are actually a few things that aren't exactly matching up with your understanding- I'm not picking on you, there isn't a ton of info on the website, I'm sure more will come.
Micromasters and graduate certificates are different. A micromasters is a free non credit MOOC that certain colleges are allowing you to use toward completion of a graduate degree at that school. Think of it like a Straighterline partnership. You're not getting credit unless you put it into a school- and in this case, there is only 1 school that accepts it. So, without enrollment, it's a MOOC. With enrollment, it's credit.

Cost: The classes and your education is free, but you pay for the verification if you choose - that will involve a proctored exam and some assignments depending- that add on will cost you between $100-$300. This is not unlike the Saylor program in existence now. EdX is similar, but in this context, they are doing the same thing but with graduate credit.

A graduate certificate is a collection of graduate courses you take through a college/university. Admissions, sometimes GRE, and a host of other criteria go into "getting in" and then from that point you complete the assignments, get a grade, and have a transcript. Sometimes graduate certificates are integrated into degree programs, but not always.

The SMART thing about this, is that edX didn't roll out the program until a partnership was in place. In other words, you're not taking a class and hoping someone takes it, you're taking SPECIFIC classes that you already KNOW will be accepted at a specific college and in a specific program.

I don't think you're picking on me at all. There is a ton I don't know on this, that's for sure!

My main issue is with the order of operations with the micromasters. Primarily, paying first before you know if you will be accepted to the school that grants credit. If they simply guaranteed acceptance or issued credit at the time of payment it would completely remove this concern for me.

My comparison to a graduate certificate is not an exact one, I didn't mean to imply that they were exactly the same thing. My point is more that we already had a credential that was in between a masters and undergrad, and honestly most of the employers I've worked for have no clue what a graduate certificate is, much less a micromasters. IMHO, creating a new credential description for 3 classes is a bit excessive and adds to the confusion of hiring managers. To me this is more like a continuing education certificate (if it doesn't grant credits), or half of a graduate certificate if it does. The delivery method of the credits, however innovative, doesn't really demand a new category of credential.

I understand the MOOC aspect of this, and love the format. I guess I'm just at a loss as to why the process needs to be completely reinvented to add a new delivery method. Why not allow students to pay or not pay for credit, if they pass give them credit if they paid? To me this is similar to auditing a class vs taking it for credit. There is no need to guarantee acceptance into a full degree program at that time, just guarantee the credits that were taken will be on the transcript from the school which backs it.This will avoid a situation where the student paid for verification and are not able to get credit for the three classes that were taken due to not meeting admissions guidelines.

[sanantone]

Some of the MicroMasters programs are eight courses. I think my graduate certificate was four courses. It might seem strange that I can't remember, but I didn't intentionally earn it

[cookderosa]

I don't think you're picking on me at all. There is a ton I don't know on this, that's for sure!

My main issue is with the order of operations with the micromasters. Primarily, paying first before you know if you will be accepted to the school that grants credit. If they simply guaranteed acceptance or issued credit at the time of payment it would completely remove this concern for me.

.

The transfer credit is guaranteed by the college you take it from. In addition, you only pay if you want the credit- the courses are free to anyone.

[mednat]

The transfer credit is guaranteed by the college you take it from. In addition, you only pay if you want the credit- the courses are free to anyone.

It is only guaranteed if you are accepted into the program. It is very clear that passing the micromasters does not guarantee acceptance.

[TrailRunr]

In one sense, I agree with mednat. The potential credits might as well be worth zero since they're way too difficult and expensive to realize. Most grad programs are very stingy with transfer credits anyway. The value proposition (or lack thereof) is in the micromaster credential. My HR gives zero credit for grad certs, so I expect the same for micromasters. It ultimately depends if the hiring manager puts any value in it. For AI, I think it will make a difference (just IMHO). For project management, I would much rather have the PMP (PMP can be used as a checkbox) and skip this altogether.

[mednat]

In one sense, I agree with mednat. The potential credits might as well be worth zero since they're way too difficult and expensive to realize. Most grad programs are very stingy with transfer credits anyway. The value proposition (or lack thereof) is in the micromaster credential. My HR gives zero credit for grad certs, so I expect the same for micromasters. It ultimately depends if the hiring manager puts any value in it. For AI, I think it will make a difference (just IMHO). For project management, I would much rather have the PMP (PMP can be used as a checkbox) and skip this altogether.

I agree the skills gained may have value, but actually getting the credits is difficult and not guaranteed. The project management micromasters is the only one that looks easily obtainable. It only requires 1 additional class that can be completed online to roll into a certificate. It also qualifies as formal training for the PMP. It's an expensive way to get the training, but it may be worthwhile for that purpose.

The AI MM (micromasters) is definitely interesting material, but even accounting for 25% of the degree still leaves the degree unrealistic for me. It looks like Columbia charges $25,884 per semester for full time study. From the sounds of it the MM qualifies for the on site program, not CVN. At those prices, i'd just take the unverified version and display my skills in a portfolio.

The part that puts me off is the ambiguity on how this stuff will transfer. The Michigan UX program doesn't even mention how many credits the MM will be worth.

The MIT supply chain program isn't clear on the chances of being accepted (MicroMasters Credential FAQs | MIT Supply Chain Management ) On the FAQ for "What are my my chances of being admitted..." 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."

That doesn't inspire confidence in me. I understand it's standard policy for universities to not comment on admission chances, but I'd like to know before i took the MM classes and paid my money for verification.

[cookderosa]

It is only guaranteed if you are accepted into the program. It is very clear that passing the micromasters does not guarantee acceptance.

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

[cookderosa]

I'll throw this onto the pile. It's from 2 days ago New at MIT: Learn First, Pay Later (or Never) - Bloomberg

highlights:

"MIT, the originator of the MicroMasters, launched its pilot program in supply chain management earlier this year. It involves five courses lasting 10 weeks each, requiring eight to 10 hours of work per week per course. The school says 27,000 students enrolled, of whom 3,500 are working toward a certificate. By contrast, only 40 students are admitted each year to MIT's traditional, 10-month master's degree in supply chain management."

and

"The MicroMasters is being offered through edX, the online education platform co-founded by MIT and Harvard University. Harvard "looks forward to offering a MicroMasters program in the future," edX statement said in a statement Tuesday announcing the programs."

[TrailRunr]

That pretty much puts the nail in the coffin with the idea of trying to flip this into academic credits. You'd practically have to be a wealthy unicorn to succeed.