A program director or senior practitioner sometimes needs credential-level executive education, in leadership, strategy, or digital transformation, rather than a general skills course. GetSmarter delivers short courses developed with universities like MIT and Oxford, aimed at that more senior, credential-conscious professional development need.
What GetSmarter does
GetSmarter, part of 2U, offers short online courses developed in partnership with universities including MIT, Oxford, and other established institutions. Courses run several weeks with structured deadlines and cohort-based learning, positioned as executive education rather than self-paced skill-building.
Key features
- University-developed content: courses are built with partner universities, carrying that institution’s name on the certificate.
- Cohort-based learning: move through the course alongside a group of peers on a set schedule, rather than fully self-paced.
- Structured deadlines: weekly modules with due dates, providing more accountability than open-ended course platforms.
- Success mentors: personal support to help learners stay on track through the course duration.
- University-branded certificate: a completion certificate carrying the partner university’s name, useful for a resume or LinkedIn profile.
- Topics spanning leadership, strategy, and technology: covers executive-level subjects beyond narrow technical skills.
Pricing
GetSmarter prices per course rather than a subscription, and courses run in the thousands of dollars given the university-partnership model.
| Example course | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| MIT: Digital Business Strategy | 6 weeks | Around $2,800 |
| Oxford: Executive Leadership Programme | Multiple weeks | Around $2,711 |
GetSmarter does not offer a low-to-mid price range; nearly all courses run in the thousands of dollars, reflecting the university-partnership model rather than a typical online course marketplace. Confirm the exact price for your specific course of interest directly with GetSmarter, since pricing varies by course and university.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| University-branded certificate carries more institutional credibility than a typical online course badge | Course prices run in the thousands of dollars, a significant investment for a small organization |
| Cohort-based structure and success mentors provide more accountability than self-paced platforms | No lower-cost tier exists; every course is priced at the executive-education level |
| Covers executive-level leadership and strategy topics not always available elsewhere | Fixed course schedules require committing to specific weekly deadlines |
Who it’s for
GetSmarter fits a senior practitioner or program director whose organization can invest in credential-level executive education tied to an established university’s name, rather than general skill-building.
Who should skip it
If your training budget is limited or the need is broad, general skills development rather than executive credentialing, a lower-cost platform like Udemy Business or Trainual will stretch further.
How to get started
Identify the specific university-partnered course relevant to your senior staff’s development need, and confirm the exact price and schedule before enrolling.
FAQ
Are GetSmarter courses self-paced?
No. Courses run on a cohort basis with weekly modules and set deadlines, providing more structure than a fully self-paced platform.
Does the certificate carry the university’s name?
Yes. Completion certificates carry the partner university’s branding, such as MIT or Oxford, depending on the course.
Are there lower-cost course options on GetSmarter?
No. GetSmarter courses are consistently priced in the thousands of dollars given the university-partnership model, with no low-to-mid price tier.
Disclosure: Impact DOTS may earn a commission if you sign up for 2U GetSmarter through the links in this article. This does not change what you pay, and it does not influence which tools we choose to cover.
