Program Overview
The exciting field of Cloud Computing has experienced explosive growth. This transformative technology has not only altered the way business operate, but it has also shaken up the traditional structure of the IT department and placed new demands on staff members who are faced with reinventing their own careers. With organizations rapidly moving their infrastructures and services to the cloud, jobs are growing at a breakneck pace, with many positions are left unfilled.
Gain an understanding of cloud technologies such as AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, OpenStack, and vSphere and how to leverage them to increase business productivity and effectiveness. In this Cloud Computing MicroMasters program, you will learn about Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS), Platform As A Service (PaaS), Software As A Service (SaaS), and other “X as a service” platforms. You will receive key foundational knowledge about legal and compliance issues, security and risk mitigation and how to follow industry standards and best practices. You will also gain hands-on experience in implementing, configuring and managing cloud technologies.
This applied, graduate-level program is designed for learners who want to enter or advance their careers in this exciting and well-paying field. IT professionals not already working with cloud technologies will gain a solid foundation while those with some cloud experience will gain a more in-depth understanding of other cloud technologies and other knowledge such as security, policy, and legal and compliance issues.
What you will learn
- Cloud computing foundations and models
- Types of cloud computing technologies (ie: AWS, Azure, IBM)
- Methods for managing a cloud computing adoption/migration project
- How to design a cloud computing infrastructure or service
- Deployment and configuration of cloud computing systems
- Insuring cloud security and mitigating risk
- SaaS, PaaS and IaaS and other service platforms
Courses in this program
1Cloud Computing for Enterprises
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2Cloud Computing Infrastructure
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3Cloud Computing Engineering and Management
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4Cloud Computing Security
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Meet your instructors

Charif El MaMouni

Jarrod Jordan

Patrick Appiah-Kubi

Jeff Tjiputra
Program endorsements
FAQs
Is there any way to reduce the time needed to take and pass the four online courses?
No. To earn the MicroMasters program certificate you need to successfully earn a verified certificate in all four Cloud Computing MicroMasters program courses when they are scheduled and then, pass the final, comprehensive proctored exam. The courses are on an instructor-paced schedule rather than self-paced, so there is no way to reduce the time to complete them.
Who can take this course?
Unfortunately, learners from Iran and Cuba will not be able to register for this course. While edX has received a licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer courses to learners from these countries, our licenses do not cover this course. EdX truly regrets that US sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.
How many credits will I be eligible for after completing the MicroMasters program certificate?
Learners who successfully earn the MicroMasters program certificate and are admitted into UMGC’s graduate school are eligible to earn up to 12 credits toward the Master’s degree (36 credits are required for graduation with the MS in Cloud Computing Architecture degree).
Who is the MicroMasters program intended for?
The Cloud Computing MicroMasters program is designed for individuals who want to develop theoretical and technical competencies required to design and manage cloud computing environment.
What is considered a passing grade in the MicroMasters program courses?
Students must achieve a grade of 80% or higher for a passing grade in each of the courses in the MicroMasters program.
May I take one of the courses even though I have not taken its prerequisite?
No. The program content and course projects are sequential allowing the learner to build on subsequent work. Completing the listed prerequisite courses is essential in order to be successful in the course work.
Will I earn a separate certificate for each course or just one for the entire MicroMasters program?
You will receive an individual verified certificate for each Cloud Computing MicroMasters program course that you pass as a verified student. Students passing the final capstone project review and all four Cloud Computing MicroMasters program courses on a verified track will receive a MicroMasters program certificate.
Along with the four Cloud Computing MicroMasters program courses and the final, comprehensive exam, are there any other requirements in order to be eligible for the UMGC Master’s Degree?
Yes. You need to be admitted to the Master’s program. The MicroMasters program certificate does not guarantee admission. The Learner will need to complete the application process to UMGC and meet all entrance requirements for The Graduate School. For more information visit: https://www.umgc.edu/admissions/admission-requirements/graduate-admissions.cfm
Do I need to be a verified student to earn the Cloud Computing MicroMasters program certificate?
Yes. If you are interested in the Cloud Computing MicroMasters program certificate, you must successfully pass and receive a verified certificate in each of the four Cloud Computing Program courses (CC605x, CC607x, CC615x, CC617x) as well as successfully pass the final, comprehensive proctored exam .
How long does a student have to apply to and complete the full UMGC degree?
To ensure that your program remains relevant and up-to-date, UMGC sets time limits for completing a program. Students have five (5) consecutive years from the start of the graduate degree to complete their degree. For students who start with a MicroMasters, their “time clock” begins on the date that they complete their last course in the MicroMasters program and receive their Verified Certificate. This means that students should apply to UMGC promptly to begin the degree and have as much time as possible to complete it.
About this course
This course explores how anyone can be a successful startup entrepreneur or corporate innovator by thoughtfully examining themselves and the business opportunity. By harnessing these insights and cultivating an entrepreneurial spirit, you can create and transform an entrepreneurial idea into a new startup company or corporate venture.
Over 800,000 people have used The Opportunity Analysis Canvas that is the basis of this course. Designed by Dr. James V. Green, the lead faculty for this course, this unique model equips you to identify and analyze a new business opportunity that aligns with your startup entrepreneurship or corporate innovation interests.
The Opportunity Analysis Canvas distills vast amounts of research in psychology, sociology, and business into a practical how-to guide for aspiring and active entrepreneurs and innovators. The course presents a whole new understanding of entrepreneurial mindset and action. The course is structured as a nine-step experience segmented into thinking entrepreneurially, seeing entrepreneurially, and acting entrepreneurially.
What you’ll learn
- Develop the skills for identifying and analyzing entrepreneurial ideas;
- Foster thinking entrepreneurially with an awareness of entrepreneurial mindset, entrepreneurial motivation, and entrepreneurial behavior;
- Cultivate seeing entrepreneurially with attention to industry conditions, industry status, macroeconomic change, and competition; and
- Champion acting entrepreneurially with an understanding of value innovation and opportunity identification.
Courses in this program
1Identifying Entrepreneurial Opportunities
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2Creating Innovative Business Models
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3Marketing Innovative Products and Services
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4Financing Innovative Ventures
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Meet your instructors

Michael Pratt

Lola Koiki

James Green
What you will learn
- How to design your communication so that you enhance your audience’s understanding.
- The power of blending logic, emotions, and your personal presence to increase your persuasive abilities.
- Best practices for effectively handling the complex information flows in programs and projects.
- How to use coordinated management of meaning tools to build program or project teams, negotiate with stakeholders, and convince executives to support your programs/projects.
Program Overview
You may have heard that “90% of a project manager’s work is communication.” Well that’s even more true as a program manager. But do you know why communication is so important and what is good communication for making projects successful?
If you have even a little project management experience, you know communication is no longer just the transfer of information and giving directives to project managers and project teams. Modern communication theory is based upon creating shared understanding – “the coordinated management of meaning.” And nowhere is it more important to manage and coordinate meaning – and understanding – than in programs and projects.
Earn up to 50 PDUs as you progress in this professional certificate, you will learn:
- How to communicate for understanding instead of just giving information.
- What Aristotle taught us about effective communication and why his 2,000-year old advice is still vital to persuasive communication.
- How the “Coordinated Management of Meaning” can help you develop and lead high-performing project teams and programs.
- How you can better manage the flow of program or project communication, as the information hub on your project.
- How to master both emotional intelligence and cultural intelligence when communicating with your project managers, teams and stakeholders.
- How to negotiate effectively using hidden emotional and cultural subtexts.How to effectively communicate online with a distributed workforce by being “virtually present.”
- Approaches for communicating for understanding as the foundation of being a coaching, situational leadership, and servant leadership program/project manager.
- To use storytelling as a powerful risk management tool.
This certificate program is not just about theory; I also give the working project manager aspiring to program management practical tips and tools to help them improve their most important skill: communication. You’ve worked hard to gain the Project Management Institute, Inc’s (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification or similar project management certification. And, you have mastered the PMBOK guide (“A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge) communication knowledge area while preparing for the PMP exam.
These workplace-tested tips and tools are ready to use today as you manage your programs and projects whether you have project management training in traditional or agile project management (PMI-ACP). Even certified scrum masters can benefit from this online course Along with gaining professional development units (PDU), upgrade your project management training with the power skill of communication.
Courses in this program
1Effective Communication for Program and Project Stakeholders and Teams
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2Persuasion and Presence for Program and Project Managers
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3Managing Conflicts on Programs and Projects with Cultural and Emotional Intelligence
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4Designing Project Information Hubs for Program and Project Performance
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5Storytelling That Delivers Program and Project Outcomes
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Meet your instructor

Bill Brantley
Program overview
In this Professional Certificate program, you will learn the mechanics of how to design and facilitate projects using “pure” Agile Scrum and Lean Kanban techniques. You will also learn the trade-offs of using hybrid techniques such as Lean Startup, Scaled Agile For the Enterprise (SAFe), and Disciplined Agile Development.
We will then go beyond these frameworks to the science and essential principles you’ll need to ensure you get the greatest benefits of Agile Project Management methods: Speed, Innovation, Leadership, and Kaizen (Change for the Better).
After completing this course series, you will be able to clearly explain how Agile techniques address faults in traditional project management techniques, the tradeoffs (benefits and risks) of these approaches, and when it’s best to apply them to maximize value to the organization.
Engineers, managers, designers, writers, creators, and executers of all types will benefit from learning these principles of Agile. Whether you’re delivering a small part of a project or portfolios of large multi-million-dollar government works; these principles scale and apply to all industries to achieve delivery success. This is why companies that are embracing these principles continue to set record earnings and stock prices (e.g. AMZN, APPL, TSLA); and those that ignore them find themselves unable to compete.
Upon successful completion of this program, learners can earn up to 50 Professional Development Unit (PDU) credits, 10 PDU credits per course, which are recognized by the Project Management Institute (PMI). PDU credits are essential to those looking to maintain certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP).
What will you learn
- Learn Scrum mechanics and how to translate other Agile frameworks such as SAFe, Disciplined, and LeSS
- Gain a deep understanding of Agile principles and how to apply them in any industry, with case studies in Software, Aerospace, Finance, and Construction
- Reduce risk of project failure by adopting agile results-based controls to close projects more effectively
- Increase speed using lean/agile work management techniques proven to deliver faster
- Improve project benefits with innovation and leadership approaches that unlock your team’s potential
Agile Project Management
1Applied Scrum for Agile Project Management
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2Sprint Planning for Faster Agile Team Delivery
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3Agile Innovation and Problem Solving Skills
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4Agile Leadership Principles and Practices
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5Agile Process, Project, and Program Controls
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Meet Your Instructors

John Johnson
Program overview
Engage and inspire students through technology.
Learn how to create enhanced learning opportunities using the latest tools and techniques to connect with today’s digital-first students.
Our unique approach to instructional design focuses on understanding learning theory, blending traditional instructional design models with rapid prototyping and data analytics to create online courses. You will gain hands-on experience developing and publishing online courses using the edX platform.
This Instructional Design and Technology MicroMasters program will provide the knowledge and skills needed to capitalize on one of the fastest growing areas of education – online teaching and learning. This program will prepare you to create engaging and active learning, using digital pedagogy, emerging technologies and data analytics.
Through this program you will learn how to design captivating learning experiences for students who want mobile learning opportunities that are collaborative and accessible, while advancing your knowledge of educational theory.
What you will learn
- Understand contemporary learning theories to develop online learning experiences
- Apply instructional design models to the development of online learning experiences
- Select, evaluate or design digital media to support learning
- Identify, evaluate, and integrate emerging technologies to support online learning
- Design an implementation process for online learning experiences
- Apply data mining techniques to the design and evaluation of learning experiences
Program Class List
1Instructional Design and Technology: Learning Theories
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2Instructional Design Models
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3Instructional Design: Digital Media, New Tools and Technology
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4Instructional Design Course Evaluation & Capstone Project
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Meet Your Instructors

LeAnn Derby

Doug Brtek

Randy Hansen
Program overview
Business knowledge is in high demand in every area of work. From high-tech start-ups to non-profits, organizations are looking to leverage best practices from the business world to achieve their objectives. That’s why the MBA is widely recognized as a career accelerator, regardless of the industry you’re in.
With the MicroMasters program in MBA Core Curriculum, you will develop business insights and learn to lead others to achieve strategic goals. You’ll learn the different functional areas of a firm, how each area defines success, and how the functions work together to create success in the marketplace. You will be able to build and lead successful teams, influence others, and deliver high-quality outcomes on time and within budget.
The MicroMasters program in MBA Core Curriculum has also been designed to grow your professional and social networks. We will help you find people like yourself, both in your region and around the world, who are looking to advance their careers. In addition to facilitated discussions in your classes, you will be encouraged to interact with colleagues in real time by forming small study groups, holding virtual coffee hours, and discussing current articles and trends in business.
Are you ready? Turbocharge your career with the MicroMasters program in MBA Core Curriculum from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business.
What you will learn
- Devise the right marketing strategy for your idea or firm
- Use the vast information available in the world today to gain insight, create a competitive edge, and avoid being tomorrow’s data breach headline
- Evaluate corporate investment opportunities to drive shareholder value
- Use the language of business to communicate financial information to investors, shareholders, creditors, and regulators
- Interact with those in the “C” suite, speaking their language and making your case for your ideas
- Lead a team of people and use your influence to achieve strategic goals
- Create the right strategy for your firm to gain a competitive advantage over others in your market space, domestically and globally
Program Class List
1Marketing Management
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2Leadership and Influence
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3Financial Accounting
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4Data Analysis for Decision Making
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5Global Business Strategy
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6Digital Transformation in Business
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7Corporate Finance
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Meet Your Instructors

Ritu Agarwal

Kathryn Bartol

Progyan Basu

Margrét Bjarnadóttir

Gilad Chen

Nicole Coomber

Michael Faulkender

Trevor Foulk

Judy Frels

David Godes

Anandasivam Gopal

Anil Gupta

Rebecca Hann

P.K. Kannan

Michael Kimbrough

Henry Lucas

Wendy Moe

Neta Moye

Myeong-Gu Seo

Nick Seybert

Subra Tangirala
