With rise of data complexities surrounding the cloud and other data driven technologies, and their increasing growth, Microsoft has introduced the “Microsoft Professional Degree Program.” The MPD is officially described as a,
Microsoft-led initiative that provides professionals with real-world knowledge and hands-on experience to grow their skills in critical fields. The initial MPD offering is in data science, with all courseware available on edX.org, the nonprofit online learning destination founded by Harvard University and MIT.
Other learning contributors include, DDLS, Fast Lane, NIIT Ltd. and QA Ltd. This joint effort has been collaborating with Microsoft since May of this year. The data science focus for the initial MPD offering is due to the lack of current knowledge that addresses “the critical skills and experiences that are required for success in the data science field.”
The primary concentration will be on real world and hands-on experience with data “using tools from Microsoft and the open source community that range from Excel, Power BI and Cortana Analytics to R and Python.”
From beginner to experienced professional, the MPD program will undoubtedly expand a person’s knowledge combining both theoretical and practical data science.
