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Although many higher education institutions have offered students the opportunity to earn non-degree credentials for quite some time, innovations allowing for massively open online course (MOOC) platforms and growing demand from students who want to remain competitive in changing job markets have resulted in a huge growth in microcredentialing.
According to a report from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), since 2018, there has been a 300% increase in unique credentials in the U.S. Nearly half of the workers in our country say they have some form of an alternative credential (including a microcredential, industry or professional certification, acknowledgment of apprenticeship or badging). Among those who don’t, about half have considered earning one.
If your institution is considering implementing microcredentials, you’re certainly not alone. In this article, you’ll learn the basics of what microcredentials are, the benefits for students and institutions, challenges you may face, and some recommendations to ensure that your institution is prepared to offer high-quality microcredentials.
What Are Microcredentials?
Although what a microcredential entails may differ from institutional certifications, they are understood to be concise, focused qualifications that demonstrate proficiency or competency in a specific skill or subject area. Unlike traditional degree programs, which often require several years of study, microcredentials can be earned in a matter of weeks or months. They cover a wide range of topics, from digital marketing and data analysis to project management and cybersecurity. Although many microcredentials are offered virtually, some institutions, like Marshall University and Northern Virginia Community College, do offer in-person formats.
The Benefits of Microcredentialing for Students and Job Seekers
One of the primary advantages of this type of credential is flexibility: students can tailor learning experiences to suit their needs and schedules, which is appealing to working professionals who may not have the time to commit to a full-time degree or evening program.
Microcredentials also provide a pathway for job seekers to acquire specific skills that are in high demand in today’s job market. According to the SHRM, 68% of U.S. workers who currently hold an alternative credential said earning skilled credentials helped them progress in their careers.
Employers are increasingly looking for candidates who possess specialized knowledge and expertise, and microcredentials offer a way for some students to gain knowledge as a steppingstone to demonstrating proficiency in certain areas.
Moreover, microcredentials also provide pathways to higher education for students who are often excluded from the talent market including people with nonlinear or nontraditional work histories, according to SHRM.
Benefits of Micocredentialing for Institutions
Aside from its benefits for students, offering microcredentials can be a smart business move for many colleges and universities. The obvious benefits include generating additional revenue streams, for starters.
The courses also offer colleges the opportunity to provide a pathway to degree completion through “stacking” credentials, so that, in some instances, a collection of microcredentials is deemed equivalent to a traditional degree or certificate program. According to a Jan. 2024 report from the Council of Graduate Schools, “stacking” certificates into degrees is still in development at many institutions.
Microcredentials, because of their flexibility and affordability, also allow colleges and universities to expand their prospective student pool to include students for whom a full degree program might not otherwise be a possibility, such as working professionals, parents of young children, or those living outside of their geographic region. These programs also give institutions the opportunity to forge partnerships with employers and communities to co-design credentials that may otherwise not exist.
Challenges to the Future of Microcredentialing
While microcredentialing offers many benefits, it is not without its challenges. One concern is the lack of standardization and accreditation across different programs.
According to “Making Alternative Credentials Work: A New Strategy for HR Professionals,” a report by SHRM, “employers find it challenging to determine the potential equivalency of alternative credentials to traditional degrees or years of experience.”
Without uniform standards, it can be difficult for employers to assess the value of a microcredential and determine its relevance to their needs. Additionally, as the market grows, there is a risk that the market could become saturated with microcredentials of varying quality and credibility, thus undermining their value.
Another issue lies in the potential for credential stacking. While it certainly has benefits for some students, it can also result in situations where individuals may not gain a deep understanding of the subject matter. In addition, they may not always provide the comprehensive knowledge that is typically associated with a traditional degree program.
Implementing Microcredentials at Your University
Despite these challenges, the future looks promising for microcredentialing in higher education. As technology continues to advance and the demand for specialized skills grows, microcredentials are likely to become an increasingly integral part of institutions’ viability.
Jessica Bates, an associate dean of academic and student affairs at Tufts University’s University College, which facilitates the development of university-wide degree and non-degree programs, says that microcredentialing is “an exciting opportunity for us to reach new populations of students and create access for learners at any stage. As the landscape of higher education changes, institutions can meet the needs of learners through outcomes-driven, industry-relevant micro-credentials, while also building pathways into degree programs.”
For those interested in exploring microcredentialing in your institution, Bates recommends that an institution first align on the terms, taxonomy, and approval guidelines for micro-credentials.
Without regulatory standards in place – it’s worth noting that there isn’t even agreement on how one spells micro-credentials/microcredentials – it is important for each school to determine how they will function at their instruction specifically and how the quality will be upheld, she said.
“Part of the value of a micro-credential comes from who issues it,” Bates said. “Consistency around how credentials are proposed, vetted, and assessed only increases the value of the credential for students, and it makes a stronger connection to the institution for future pathways planning.”
Northeastern University’s Center for the Future of Higher Education and Talent Strategy also has several recommendations in their Getting Started with Microcredentials: A Primer for Higher Ed Leaders brief, including how to:
- Engage with your target audience and develop a hypothesis on how microcredentials can help them achieve their goals.
- Identify what is distinctive about your institution. Consider its mission and values and how microcredentials represent or enable them and consider institutional and brand strengths.
- Consider technology requirements or functionality: if an artifact, or evidence related to the skill is required to lend validity to the microcredential, then make sure the platform you choose allows for this.
Microcredentialing represents a significant shift in the way we approach education and training: by offering flexible and affordable learning opportunities, these credentials have the potential to empower individuals who might otherwise be shut out of higher education.
However, institutions have a responsibility to think critically about how we are implementing these new programs so that we can continue to offer educational outcomes that will benefit our students and protect our institutions’ reputations. By ensuring that our schools and colleges have the necessary infrastructure and frameworks to provide high-quality education through microcredentials, we can offer transformative experiences to students.
