How much does a Coursera certificate weigh?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the value and recognition of Coursera certificates in the context of academic admissions, particularly for Ph.D. programs and postdoctoral positions. Participants express curiosity about how universities perceive these online courses as supplements to traditional degrees.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express skepticism about the utility of Coursera and edX courses for academic advancement, suggesting that universities may not recognize these certificates as valuable supplements to regular degrees.
  • One participant humorously speculates on the physical weight of a Coursera certificate, indicating a light-hearted approach to the topic.
  • Another participant argues that universities are unlikely to acknowledge online courses as competition to their traditional programs, suggesting that while alternative credentialing may become more accepted, academia will be slow to adapt.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express a lack of confidence in the recognition of Coursera certificates by universities, indicating a consensus on their perceived lack of value in academic admissions. However, there is disagreement on the timeline and inevitability of change in this recognition.

Keshav Melnad
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Now a days coursera and edx courses are becoming popular. I too did few courses. I am just curious how much the Universities consider these courses as supplements with college regular degrees for admission for Ph.D or getting into Postdoc.
 
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Keshav Melnad said:
Now a days coursera and edx courses are becoming popular. I too did few courses. I am just curious how much the Universities consider these courses as supplements with college regular degrees for admission for Ph.D or getting into Postdoc.

They are useless for that purpose.
 
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How much does a Coursera certificate weigh?

I dunno...maybe half an ounce?

As Micro says, they are useless for this.
 
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Keshav Melnad said:
Now a days coursera and edx courses are becoming popular. I too did few courses. I am just curious how much the Universities consider these courses as supplements with college regular degrees for admission for Ph.D or getting into Postdoc.

Universities have to protect their business model. They are not about to recognize their competition willingly. Eventually they will be forced to as industry goes in that direction, but it's a slow process. Alternative credentialing is inevitable, but academia will be the last to get there.
 

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