Disclosure: Class Central is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Course Report

Massive List of MOOC-based Microcredentials

More than 4000 microcredentials from 10 platforms including Coursera, edX, Udacity, LinkedIn Learning, 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. While many can be audited for free, graded items and certificates are generally behind a paywall. Some providers offer financial assistance or scholarships.

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 XSeries, Professional Education, 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. In 2025, the Class Central catalog lists 4171 microcredentials from 10 course platforms. Over 60% of microcredentials focus on business, programming, and computer science. Coursera’s Specializations make up over 40% of the total number of microcredentials, with 701 new Coursera Specializations added in 2025.

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
PlatformMicrocredentials
CourseraSpecialization (1712), MasterTrack (28), Professional Certificate (278)
edXXSeries (62), MicroBachelors (13), MicroMasters (82), Professional Certificate (548), Professional Education (1)
UdacityNanodegree (96)
FutureLearnProgram (112), ExpertTrack (140), Microcredential (1)
KadenzeProgram (21)
Corporate Finance InstituteSpecialization (16), Professional Certificate (6)
CodeSignalPath (187)
LinkedIn LearningPath (827)
University of the People Professional Certificate (12)
Zero To MasteryPath (29)

Coursera Specialization (1712)

Coursera Master Track (28)

Coursera Professional Certificate (278)

edX Xseries (62)

edX Microbachelors (13)

edX Micromasters (82)

edX Professional Certificate (548)

edX Professional Education (1)

Udacity Nanodegree (96)

FutureLearn Program (112)

FutureLearn Expert Track (140)

FutureLearn Microcredential (1)

Kadenze Program (21)

Corporate Finance Institute Specialization (16)

Corporate Finance Institute Professional Certificate (6)

CodeSignal Path (187)

LinkedIn Learning Path (827)

University of the People Professional Certificate (12)

Zero To Mastery Path (29)

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.

Comments 0

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. All comments go through moderation, so your comment won't display immediately.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Browse our catalog

Discover thousands of free online courses from top universities around the world like MIT, Stanford, and Harvard.

Browse all subjects