Announced in early February 2021, WashU Olin will begin to offer (3) online masters degrees: MS in Finance, MS in Accounting, and MS in Business Analytics. This is a unique offering as you earn the degree through successful completion of (3) sections. After the 1st 8 months, you earn a graduate certificate, after the next 8 months you earn an advanced graduate certificate, and after the final 8 months, you earn the masters degree. The tuition may be higher than most would like on this forum (approximately $40K) but I figured I would mention the offerings as WashU is a Top 20 National University and Olin is a Top 30 B-School (we know rankings have bias but WashU and Olin are highly reputed). One key thing to note is that none of the programs require the GMAT/GRE. https://olin.wustl.edu/EN-US/academic-programs/online-masters-programs/Pages/default.aspx
Actually, only unique in the US. This is a very typical UK structure (i.e. you may exit with a Cert, continue to Diploma, or continue to Degree... you have to choose, one you get an awared you cannot continue). Is interesting that a US school is adopting it. To you point, I am not aware of any other US school doing this.
Many may see this and think, "Why on Earth not?" Fortunately, as resistant to change as academia can be, it is slowly getting out of its own way on this, with the concept of "stackable" credentials picking up.
Interesting! In this case, you get awarded all 3. There is not an “exit” spot necessarily. If you continue on through and finish the degree, you’ll have amassed the Graduate Cert., Advanced Graduate Cert., and the Masters.
Seems to me like the M.Phil. degree could be a “stackable” degree for those who otherwise are ABD in the USA. I wonder why more colleges haven’t adopted it as such.
This is why... the credentials are considered integral components of the degree (i.e. in the UK model). Let's say that Steve Foerster eats a pie. I could recognize you for eating a pie; recognizing you for eating slices of pie is redundant... you've eaten the pie! I give you a MP, Master of Pie. Now, let's say that you ate 3 slices of pie and said, "uncle". I could say that you've accomplished nothing, or, I could recognize that you've eating three slices of pie and give you a CP, Certificate in Pie. Both of my UK degrees followed this model.