Microsoft have announced the launch of a Microsoft Professional Degree (MPD) program - a course pathway in data science through EdX covering the requisite core skills. The prgram will be made up of online courses with hands-on labs, concluding in a final capstone project where students are required to solve a real-world Data Science problem. According to Microsoft, students who earn a passing grade receive a Microsoft Professional Degree in Data Science—a digitally sharable, résumé-worthy credential demonstrating they have the functional and technical skills that are needed to succeed in a job in data science.
How it works
During the pilot phase, for each required course taken on edX, you will need to purchase a verified certificate. The cost for verified certificates can vary by course and these prices are published in the course information on the edX site. Please note, pricing is subject to change. Additional charges may apply.
Students taking the courses on a part time basis (i.e. 4-6 hours per week) should allocate 5-6 weeks per course. Students working on an accelerated full time basis (i.e. approximately 4-6 hours per day, five days per week) should be able to complete a course per week – and the entire program in as little as 10 weeks.
Each Microsoft course is typically published for a six-week run, and will then be taken offline for approximately one week to update and address feedback from students. It is important to note that to complete a course, all gradable assignments and assessments must be passed before the six-week course ends.
To earn the Microsoft Professional Degree, students are required to successfully pass and secure verified certificates for each course and then achieve a passing grade in the capstone project.
How to enroll
To be notified when registration opens, provide your email address on the Microsoft Professional Degree site.
Students can take any of the courses before registering on the Microsoft Professional Degree site, and Microsoft will apply credit retroactively once you register on the Microsoft Professional Degree site.
Students can take the courses in the curriculum and not sign up for the verified certificates of completion. However, the only way to get credit for the courses you complete is by attaining verified certificates from edX.org. Verified certificates for each course are required for students to receive a MPD.
Download Course Schedule
For more information, visit the Microsoft Professional Degree site
How it works
During the pilot phase, for each required course taken on edX, you will need to purchase a verified certificate. The cost for verified certificates can vary by course and these prices are published in the course information on the edX site. Please note, pricing is subject to change. Additional charges may apply.
Students taking the courses on a part time basis (i.e. 4-6 hours per week) should allocate 5-6 weeks per course. Students working on an accelerated full time basis (i.e. approximately 4-6 hours per day, five days per week) should be able to complete a course per week – and the entire program in as little as 10 weeks.
Each Microsoft course is typically published for a six-week run, and will then be taken offline for approximately one week to update and address feedback from students. It is important to note that to complete a course, all gradable assignments and assessments must be passed before the six-week course ends.
To earn the Microsoft Professional Degree, students are required to successfully pass and secure verified certificates for each course and then achieve a passing grade in the capstone project.
How to enroll
To be notified when registration opens, provide your email address on the Microsoft Professional Degree site.
Students can take any of the courses before registering on the Microsoft Professional Degree site, and Microsoft will apply credit retroactively once you register on the Microsoft Professional Degree site.
Students can take the courses in the curriculum and not sign up for the verified certificates of completion. However, the only way to get credit for the courses you complete is by attaining verified certificates from edX.org. Verified certificates for each course are required for students to receive a MPD.
Download Course Schedule
For more information, visit the Microsoft Professional Degree site