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Course Report

Massive List of MOOC-based Microcredentials

More than 2900 microcredentials from platforms such as Coursera, edX, FutureLearn, Udacity, and more.

 

Microcredentials a Massive List

Microcredentials are part of the higher education trend toward modularity and stackability. These credentials involve combining small, individual learning units into broader qualifications that serve as stepping stones to more comprehensive educational goals. In this regard, they exist in a space that bridges the gap between single courses and full degrees.

Class Central has been tracking MOOC-based microcredentials since 2013, the year when edX launched the first such microcredential, known as XSeries. Since then, all major online course platforms have launched their own branded microcredentials.

For example, Coursera packages courses into various types of microcredentials, such as Specializations, Professional Certificates, and MasterTracks. Similarly, edX offers Professional Certificates, MicroBachelors, and MicroMasters.

In 2018, we analyzed 450 microcredentials and found a lack of consistency among them. The cost and effort required to complete these credentials varied significantly. Moreover, we observed as much variability within each type of microcredential as across different types.

While the hype around microcredentials has somewhat subsided in favor of online degrees, the number of available microcredentials continues to grow. By the end of 2021, there were more than 1,500 microcredentials. By the end of 2022, that number had grown to 2,500. Currently, in 2023, there are over 2,900, all of which are listed below.

Coursera’s Specializations alone make up over one-third of the total number of microcredentials. According to Class Central’s analysis, about 75% of microcredentials focus on business and technology.

Below, you can find a list of all the microcredentials currently available, broken down by platform and type. Click on a link to jump to the relevant section.

Microcredentials on the Market Today
Platform Microcredentials
Coursera Specialization, MasterTrack, Professional Certificate
edX XSeries, MicroBachelors, MicroMasters, Professional Certificate, Professional Education
Udacity Nanodegree
FutureLearn Program, ExpertTrack, Microcredential
Kadenze Program
LinkedIn Learning Path

EdX Professional Education (97)

Udacity Nanodegree (93)

FutureLearn Program (170)

FutureLearn Expert Track (161)

edX Micromasters (83)

edX Professional Certificate (452)

edX Xseries (72)

Coursera Specialization (1011)

Coursera Professional Certificate (128)

FutureLearn Microcredential (6)

edX Microbachelors (19)

Kadenze Program (19)

Coursera Master Track (54)

LinkedIn Learning Path (548)

Suparn Patra Profile Image

Suparn Patra

Suparn developed an interest in MOOCs through a project he worked on during his MSc in Artificial Intelligence. He joined Class Central as a Full Stack Engineer.
Manoel Cortes Mendez Profile Image

Manoel Cortes Mendez

Software engineer and online graduate student in computer science passionate about education, technology, and their intersection.

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