Microdegree

In higher education a microdegree also micro degree and micromasters is a credential focused upon a specified professional or career discipline and typically comprises one or more sources of accelerated educational experiences. Microdegrees are a single manifestation of Competency Based Education (CBE) which seeks to tie credentialing to specific skills sets.[1]

This article is about a certificate in postsecondary education. For the angular measure, see Degree (angle).

Microcredentials including Microdegrees act as a pointer to the criteria for and demonstration of the skills represented by the microcredential. Because the credentials are presented in a digital format, they can be parsed automatically for verification over the web and allow for a greater level of granularity than a traditional paper transcript. Microdegrees meet the criteria for Open Educational Data defined by the U.S. Department of Education.[2]

Within the hierarchy of educational credentials microdegrees are considered to be "certificates" requiring a lower level of commitment and rigor than a traditional degree program but serving an important role as a vocational credential.[3][4]

The advent of the microdegree is presented by its promoters as a challenge to the existing degree model as it permits students to utilize accelerated, free and low cost programs to earn credentials of direct relevance to their interests and career ambitions.[5][6][7][8][9]

Microdegrees and other Microcredentials are also seen as a system to facilitate and record lifelong learning.[10] A significant percentage of Microdegree students are working adults seeking career change or advancement.[11]

Some institutions that offer Microdegree programs describe themselves as a "Micro College".[12][13][14]

In recent years, MOOC platforms have started expanding their offerings of microcredentials as viable substitutes, going as far as offering a blended education model. Such programs allow graduates of the respective microcredential programs to have a reduced residency period at traditional universities.[15] Universities like MIT have started admitting its first batch of students in supply chain management at a reduced 5-month residency period through their blended learning initiatives on the edX platform with the launch of its Micromasters program.[16]

See also

References
  1. "MOOCs and Credentialing: A Revolutionary Perspective". EdCircuit.com. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  2. DOE, U.S. (2015-04-09). "Open Data". ed.goc. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  3. Fain, Paul (2012-06-06). "Certificates are misunderstood credentials that pay off - mostly for men". InsideHigherEd.com. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  4. Leonhardt, David (2015-03-05). "Here's What Will Truly Change Higher Education: Online Degrees That Are Seen as Official". New York Times. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  5. "Traditional college degrees could face 'serious competition' as online 'microdegrees' emerge, website reports". NOLA.com. 2015-02-24. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  6. "How Google and Coursera may upend the traditional college degree | Brookings Institution". Brookings.edu. 2015-02-23. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  7. "Meet the New, Self-Appointed MOOC Accreditors: Google and Instagram – Wired Campus - Blogs - The Chronicle of Higher Education". Chronicle.com. 2015-02-11. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  8. "MOOC Sightings 003: FutureLearn, Microdegrees, 'Open Internet' | Educational Technology and Change Journal". Etcjournal.com. 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  9. "How to Make Micro Credentials Matter | EdSurge News". Edsurge.com. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  10. "Micro-Credentials: Empowering Lifelong Learners". Edutopia.org. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  11. Young, Jeffrey R. (March 9, 2015). "PhD or Microdegree?". The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved 2015-03-09.
  12. "Micro-Colleges and the Pop-Up University". Hastac.org. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  13. "Trimming the Fat – Introducing the Lean Micro-College Model". www.futuristspeaker.com. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  14. "DaVinci Coders given Microdegree-granting authority for its software coding courses". Innovationnews.com. Retrieved 2015-04-10.
  15. Gordon, Adam. "'MicroMasters' Surge As MOOCs Go From Education To Qualification". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-03-09.
  16. "MIT MicroMasters Begins On-Campus Phase -- Campus Technology". Campus Technology. Retrieved 2018-03-09.
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