Will a MOOC Get You Hired? A Randomized Controlled Trial Testing Perceptions of Educational Credentials on Hiring

• In Event: 64.045 - Examining the Efficiency of Higher Education Policy

Abstract

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are a relatively new way of offering postsecondary education and training. Students take MOOCs for a variety of reasons, but many seek out these courses to further their career. However, little is known about the empirical effects of such credentials in the labor market. Our study begins to fill that gap by estimating the effect of a MOOC credential on the likelihood of being hired in a hypothetical scenario. Specifically, we compare the effect of having a Coursera 5-Course Specialization in web design to the effect of having a CC certificate, AA, or BA in web design on being the preferred candidate for a freelance job. We find all traditional credentials are preferred to MOOCs.

Authors

• Mariela Janet Rivas, University of California - Irvine

• Rachel Baker, University of California - Irvine

• Brent Joseph Evans, Vanderbilt University