Last month we announced the MicroMasters initiative, the next evolution in our mission to increase access to high-quality education and help learners improve their lives and advance their careers. Accelerated and flexible, MicroMasters programs are a first-of-its-kind, credential with a pathway to credit with value to academic institutions and employers.

Alongside 14 of our partners, we launched 19 programs – spanning in-demand subject areas from Project Management to Android Development. Since the launch, we’ve been sharing stories from learners in the MITx Supply Chain Management MicroMasters program – showcasing how their experience so far has helped them advance and improve in their careers.

MicroMasters is a movement that is changing the way learners, employers and universities approach advanced learning and is helping to bridge the gap people often experience between university and career.

MicroMasters programs have no admissions requirements, and are open to anyone. They are flexible and free to try – which means you can enroll in a course, gain the knowledge and, if interested, pay for a credential that has a pathway to campus or that you can showcase on your resume.

But what does that mean for you, the edX learner? How can MicroMasters programs improve your life, advance your career or accelerate your path to an advanced degree? Let’s examine the benefits of taking a MicroMasters program:

Career-focused

All of the MicroMasters programs come with a career outcome. Whether you’re looking to launch a career in User Experience or Artificial Intelligence, all the MicroMasters programs are validated by top companies (like Walmart for Supply Chain Management and GE for Artificial Intelligence). The programs have real job relevancy so after you complete a MicroMasters, you can be confident that you’ve gained the knowledge you need to stand out in your field.

Pathway to Credit

A MicroMasters credential is comparable to one quarter to one semester’s worth (25-50%) of a Master’s degree or 20-30 ECTS in Europe. Once you earn the MicroMasters credential from the institution offering the program, you can apply to the on campus component of the Master’s program at the institution and, if you get into the program, you can apply your MicroMasters credential to count as credit on campus.  

Faster

A MicroMasters program takes 3-6 months to complete, which is equivalent to a quarter to a half of a Master’s degree, allowing you to take an accelerated route to getting a full Master’s degree.

Flexible

All the MicroMasters programs are offered fully online, multiple times per year or on-demand. You have the flexibility to take the programs at your own pace without disrupting your life. What’s more, the MicroMasters credential itself is flexible – you can use it to fit your specific needs and interest. As a standalone credential, it has career-relevant value that demonstrates your knowledge to potential or existing employers. Alternatively, it can be put toward a larger program, such as a Master’s degree, and serve as a credential toward completing the larger program.

Affordable

The cost of a traditional Master’s program can be daunting. MicroMasters programs cost between $800 – $1,500 USD – an affordable approach to Master’s-level education.

Learn more about MicroMasters programs and take advantage of this innovative credential to advance your career, gain in-demand knowledge and accelerate a Master’s degree.