Massively open? College unbound? What are the roots of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), and how much of a trend is it? What promises and anxieties do MOOCs bring to higher education, academic leaders, and faculty? 2013 has witnessed one of the most rapid and enthusiastic adoptions of educational innovation in history, generating numerous discussions on an endless list of questions and issues related to MOOCs and open educational resources. To better understand these questions, this article uses a PEST framework to scan the macro environment through Political, Economic, Social, and Technological lenses. Implications for higher education, faculty, professionals, and students are discussed.