Inside 3 learners’ pathways from MicroMasters® to master’s degree
edX MicroMasters® programs offer in-depth, graduate-level courses designed for learners pursuing career growth and/or seeking a head start on an advanced degree. This ability to explore subject areas ahead of committing to a full degree, while also earning credit that could count towards a full master’s degree, is what draws many learners to these programs.
“I do not believe I would have been accepted into my current master’s program had I not taken these relevant courses,” said Isabella, an automation engineering student studying data science. “It has given me a leg up, and I feel very prepared and confident in my current classes because I completed the MicroMasters program.”
Across three different fields, learn how three learners have used MicroMasters programs to build pathways to master’s degrees and gain valuable certificates and knowledge along the way.
A Senior Engineer Pursues an SCM Master’s Degree and Advances a Logistics Career
Sandeep Kumar, a senior engineer, completed MITx's Supply Chain Management (SCM) MicroMasters Program and gained admission to MIT’s SCM master’s program.
“With my admission to MIT to complete my master's in SCM, I would like to establish myself in the logistics industry and advance my career to achieve my dreams,” Sandeep Kumar said.
How has your learning impacted your career, life, or community?
I am an SAP Techno functional consultant working on MM/WM and ABAP. Though I have been delivering solutions in SCM, my role has confined me as a systems person. The MicroMasters program in SCM has opened up a whole world of possibilities, and with this program, I got the admit to complete my master's in SCM from MIT.
How was your experience learning online?
The MicroMasters program in SCM from MIT is impressive. The content it delivers, the support from professors, teaching staff, and the community teaching assistants have created a near classroom experience by always being there to help. The course material, supplemental materials, and live sessions help us keep motivated and inspired to continue learning. The navigation through the course and the structuring of sections is wonderfully done and maintained by edX.
The learning experience on edX was [also] phenomenal. The course structure to find study materials, content, discussion forums helps you concentrate on the course instead of getting distracted. Navigating through the course on edX was one of the best experiences in online learning.
What advice would you give new edX students?
Learning will be a continuous process as long as you want to stay active and lead in any industry. Being able to do courses online to enhance your skills to perform your jobs better will give you a competitive edge and help you keep yourself relevant to the industry.
A Student Builds Useful Skills and Explores the Field of Data Science
Isabella, a student in the automation engineering industry, enrolled in MITx's Statistics and Data Science MicroMasters® program to help decide whether or not to pursue a master’s degree within the field of data science. Today, she’s enrolled in a master’s of science in engineering program in autonomous systems.
How has your learning impacted your career, life, or community?
I do not believe I would have been accepted into my current master’s program had I not taken these relevant courses. It has given me a leg up, and I feel very prepared and confident in my current classes because I completed the MicroMasters program.
How do you plan to use your learning in the future? What’s next for you?
I want to explore other courses and programs on edX in related fields, such as artificial intelligence (AI). As a self-motivated learner, I think the structure works very well for me. I loved the structure and flexibility of the courses.
What advice would you give new edX students?
Just remember that even though it's online, there are thousands of other students going through the same experience, all juggling many things in their lives. There is still a community vibe through the forums, which is really nice.
A Developer Increases Industry Knowledge and Gains a Valuable Credential
When Rohan began IUx's Information Systems MicroMasters® Program, his goals were clear:
[To gain] a broad vision in the field and understand the nitty-gritty.
To have a graduate study certification from a globally recognized university.
To have a deep understanding of how business in IT works and how decisions are made.
[To build a] pathway for a master's program.
How has your learning impacted your career, life, or community?
Career: The program came in with adding lots of value by studying the practical business cases. It increased my problem-solving ability. As far as my career is concerned, it helped me amalgamate my technical skills with a good business perspective to deliver high-quality products.
Life: We all are always learning something or the other every day, and the program was no different. [The fact that] you can learn anywhere is bliss.
Community: After completing my first course out of the three courses, I decided to spread the word among nearby colleges. edX has always has an overall positive impact on oneself.
How was your experience learning online?
edX platform allowed me to experience graduate study fully online. The program had a considerable amount of rigor in nine months. A perfect blend of non-technical and technical study helped a lot in developing the advanced skill sets necessary for the field. Facilitators were also great In providing services from time to time. Online study for me went very smoothly, also a cohort of like-minded people make an impact on your study as well.
How do you plan to use your learning in the future? What’s next for you?
As this was a MicroMasters credential, there is an opportunity to continue with the master's program. I am planning to take up the master’s in IT Management program which is available on edX. The MicroMasters program covered around 30% of the study and the rest 70% will be covered in the master's program.
Find Your MicroMasters Program Pathway
Learn more about why 92% of MicroMasters program completer survey respondents report that the program was worth the investment—both cost and time—and explore programs that match your professional development, academic, and career goals.
Learn more about edX MicroMasters programs, read FAQs, and find your path.
Last updated: February 2022