MicroMasters in SCM Frequently Asked Questions

The MITx MicroMasters program credential in Supply Chain Management (SCM) is a comprehensive certification program offered by MITx. It is specifically designed and administered by MIT CTL and supported by MIT Open Learning.

The courses are designed to provide learners with a deep understanding of supply chain principles, strategies, and practices. The program also includes a virtual proctored comprehensive final exam to assess the knowledge and skills gained throughout the courses.

It is important to note that the MicroMasters credential in SCM is not a degree-granting program. It is a professional certification that showcases your expertise in supply chain management. Additionally, while the credential may be recognized by certain graduate programs for credit, it does not guarantee admissions to MIT or any other graduate programs. Each institution has its own admission requirements and evaluation criteria for accepting MicroMasters credentials for credit.

The program credential consists of five rigorous graduate-level online courses that cover various aspects of logistics and supply chain management and a comprehensive final exam. 

Course topics and descriptions are available on the MITx MicroMasters in SCM Curriculum webpage.

The MITx MicroMasters program credential in SCM is globally recognized by employers, enhances resumes, opens doors to job opportunities and promotions, and serves as a pathway to further education opportunities.

There are many personal and professional benefits of earning the program credential including:

• Upskilling in areas essential for today’s supply chain professionals
• Gaining access to an official Infinite Connection account on the MIT Alumni Association website
• Becoming eligible to apply to master's programs at MIT and at universities around the world
• Qualify for preferential tuition with the MIT GCLOG Program
• Join our private LinkedIn group, ideal for discovering job postings and professional opportunities
• Participate in MIT Alumni Association events, exclusive MITx MicroMasters in SCM credential holder events, as well as receive discounted registration for select MIT CTL conferences, bootcamps, and workshops
• Enjoy access to library journals through JSTOR and EBSCO
• Eligibility for a 10% discount on all MIT Press publications (print books and e-books)

For more information and a complete list of credential benefits, visit the MITx MicroMasters Program in SCM Benefits webpage.

Courses are delivered on MIT Learn, MIT’s AI-enabled online learning platform. All courses are asynchronous and online-only, providing learners with maximum flexibility in their schedules.

• Pre-Recorded Video Content: The course videos are pre-recorded, allowing learners to access and view them at any time that suits their convenience. You are not required to log in at specific times to view the course content.
• Course Availability and Deadlines: The course content becomes available after the course start date for both self-paced and instructor-paced courses. The release pacing of content and coursework may vary between courses.
• In-Course Discussion Forums: Each course has dedicated discussion forums where learners can engage with instructors and fellow learners. The course team regularly monitors these forums to provide support and address queries.
• Pre-Recorded Instruction Material: All course instruction materials are pre-recorded, and instructor interaction primarily takes place through discussion forums or course email. Some courses may also feature optional live events where instructors and guests appear on video for interactive sessions.
• Course Exams: Final exams in all courses and midterm exams in instructor-paced courses are available to complete within a 48-hour window after their release. The exams typically have a time limit of two and a half hours (150 minutes) for completion.

Please note that specific details and deadlines may vary between courses, so it's important to refer to the course materials and syllabus provided for each individual course.

In a self-paced course all materials are released at the start of the course so you can progress at your own pace. Self-paced courses still have a fixed final exam window scheduled in the final week of the course run.

In an instructor-paced course course content is released on a weekly basis during the course run and a comprehensive syllabus, deadlines, and requirements are provided in Week 0 of the course.

Learners on the audit track can access lessons and practice problems, but not exams, and lose access to course materials after the course run ends. Audit learners are not eligible to earn a certificate. There is no cost to participate in the audit track of a course.

Learners on the certificate track have access to exams, retain access to course materials after the course run ends, and are eligible to receive a certificate upon passing the course. There is a fee to participate in the certificate track of a course.

Learners wishing to earn a certificate in a course may start on the audit track, but must join the certificate track and pay the course fee prior to the payment deadline in order to be eligible.

The time commitment for courses can vary depending on the course type and pace of individual learners.

Instructor-paced courses typically run for approximately 12 weeks. Self-paced courses typically run for approximately 14 weeks.

All MITx MicroMasters in SCM courses expect a learner to dedicate approximately 8-12 hours of effort per week. This includes watching lectures, engaging with course materials, completing assignments, and participating in discussion forums.

Learners may enroll in both instructor-paced and self-paced courses up until the listed enrollment deadline. Enrolling in a course after Week 0 may impact the level of weekly-effort required to successfully complete all required assignments and deadlines within the course.

The total duration for a learner to complete all five content courses and the Comprehensive Final Exam may vary depending on factors such as the start date of the program, the order in which courses are completed, and the pace of individual learners. 

It is anticipated that most learners will require around 14 to 20 months to finish all the required courses and complete the Comprehensive Final Exam to earn the MITx MicroMasters program credential in SCM.

View our course schedule to see upcoming course dates and enrollment deadlines. 

Please note, all dates in the published course schedule may be subject to change.

The MITx MicroMasters program is highly flexible and there is no mandated order in which the courses must be completed.

You can take one or several of our courses on a standalone basis, or strive to complete all five courses in the series and the comprehensive final exam to achieve the MITx MicroMasters program credential in SCM.

Learners interested in pursuing the entire credential may find the following course order beneficial:

• Supply Chain Analytics
• Supply Chain Fundamentals
• Supply Chain Design
• Supply Chain Dynamics
• Supply Chain Technology and Systems
• Comprehensive Final Exam (CFx)

The most up-to-date course fees can be viewed on the individual course pages within MIT Learn.

The full cost of the MicroMasters Program will increase if any courses must be retaken.

The course team recommends that learners take the comprehensive final exam (CFx) within five years of passing their first course as some materials may change. 

Upon passing the CFx and earning the MicroMasters program credential, the credential remains valid towards any application for the MIT Blended Master's in Supply Chain Management (SCMb) for up to three years.

Learners should review individual application requirements for programs at pathway universities as the length of the credential’s validity varies by program.

The MITx MicroMasters program credential in SCM  is accepted for credit by more than 40 graduate-level programs globally. Learners who successfully earn the credential are eligible to apply to MIT SCM Blended Master's Program, within the MIT SCALE Network, and to other pathway universities around the world.

Learners should review individual program requirements, deadlines, and number of credits offered.