# Stackable Educational Programs edX's MicroBachelor's Degree Program is Flexible & Affordable By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2020-07-20 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microbachelor References: [psfk](https://www.psfk.com/2020/07/microbachelors-program-adult-learners.html) & [edx.org](https://www.edx.org/microbachelors) During a global pandemic, many adults are looking to take their skills to the next level with continuing education and non-profit organization edX created a flexible and affordable solution with a MicroBachelors degree. The [stackable education program](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tech-shoppers) is designed to be taken online and represents a step towards a Bachelor with credits that are transferable. The low-cost MicroBachelors programs offer an affordable way to access college classes, especially so in cases where companies help to cover the cost of continuing education. With this option, adult learners will be able to brush up on their skills or learn everything from writing and marketing to IT, [data science and computer science](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-education-computer-science-ai). The program helps employees stay competitive in a demanding work force. Image Credit: edX ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.8/10 - Popularity: 25% | Activity: 20% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Education](https://www.trendhunter.com/education) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Stackable Education Programs:** As people are increasingly seeking affordable and flexible education, businesses can disrupt the education industry by offering stackable micro-certifications that offer enough value for learners' investment. - **Flexible Degree Programs:** Educational institutions can disrupt the traditional Bachelor's degree market with flexible degree programs that can be taken online and allow for transferable credits. - **Low-cost Continuing Education:** As businesses help cover the cost of continuing education, education institutions should consider offering affordable and valuable certificate programs that can help adult learners improve their skills and stay competitive in the demanding workforce. ### Who This Affects Most - **Education:** Education institutions can disrupt the traditional education industry by offering stackable micro-certifications, flexible degree programs, and affordable certificate programs. - **Workforce Development:** Companies can disrupt the workforce development industry by offering to cover the cost of continuing education for their employees, thus promoting a knowledgeable and skilled workforce. - **Online Learning:** As more people look for affordable and flexible education options, businesses can disrupt the online learning industry by offering valuable, low-cost online learning programs that can be stacked towards a degree. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Futureproofing Edtech Startups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/edtech-startup.md) - [AI-Powered Micro-Learning Formats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microlearning-format.md) - [Blockchain-Powered Education Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elite-education-city.md) - [Educational Esports BTEC Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minervas-virtual-academy.md) - [Career-Accelerating Learning Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/career-accelerating-learning-platform.md) - [Curated Learning Pathways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/notclass1.md) - [Student-Specific Real-World Freelance Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/podium-education.md) - [Student-Targeted AI Skills](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minecraft-education.md) - [Interactive Online Learning Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/labex.md)