What are micro-credentials and who is completing them?

[vintage_jacket]

What I found interesting in this article/post is that individuals obtaining these credentials likely already have a bachelors. My initial thoughts are that there hasn't been enough marketing to gain general awareness of this concept by the intended audience and employers. 

28 Jan 2020  - https://elective.collegeboard.org/beginn...redentials

[carrythenothing]

You might be interested in the Non-Degree Credentials Research Network (NCRN) project: https://gwipp.gwu.edu/non-degree-credent...twork-ncrn

[vintage_jacket]

You might be interested in the Non-Degree Credentials Research Network (NCRN) project: https://gwipp.gwu.edu/non-degree-credent...twork-ncrn

Neat! A whole team devoted to the topic and they even have a shared Zotero library. I signed up for the updates. Thank you!

[vintage_jacket]

Taking a step back, before I go on a big journey on reading the research from NCRN, I'd like provide my experience with micro-credentials and certificates. If you or anyone has a similar or different experience, I'm curious to hear your story.

Microcredentials: I learned about them in the last couple years through PMI as I was reading about CAPM. However, I didn't sign up for PMI's version because the microcredentials provide continuing education credits IF you already have a PMP or CAPM.

Certificates: I was introduced to a certificate/certifications early on by word of mouth, typically coworkers, not by institutions.

• Microsoft Certifications, https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/certifications/browse/
  
• The National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC), https://www.act.org/content/act/en/produ.../ncrc.html
  
• Intuit Bookkeeping Professional Certificate*, https://home.pearsonvue.com/intuit
  
• Project Management Professional https://www.pmi.org/certifications/proje...gement-pmp
  

Public awareness: I heard Google certificates were advertised on the radio in designated regions, helping the public stir conversation about the certificate. I've also seen PMP and SHRM-CP credentials added to LinkedIn profiles and email signatures, likely making them generally recognized among white collar workers and customer-service personnel.

Recommendation: Most job applications have sections for education, but a simple optional/other fields for certificates/credentials. Enhancing these fields for internal and external applicants will signal to applicants that this (certificates/micro-credentials) are accepted and recognized by the company/organization.


*Now the QuickBooks Online Certification is recommended

[Alpha]

In my field there are certifications that mean something and certs that really have very little value.  You can do something that's quick and easy - put it on your resume and hang it on the wall but your colleagues know the difference and will smirk a bit if you're making a big deal out of nothing.  Here's a good one
Beck Institute | Home

Here's the one I'm working on now
ASCH | American Society of Clinical Hypnosis

[SteveFoerster]

You might be interested in the Non-Degree Credentials Research Network (NCRN) project: https://gwipp.gwu.edu/non-degree-credent...twork-ncrn

Thank you very much for posting this! This is very interesting to me both because I'm a GWU alum and because my institution is interested in expanding into microcredentials.

[vintage_jacket]

You might be interested in the Non-Degree Credentials Research Network (NCRN) project: https://gwipp.gwu.edu/non-degree-credent...twork-ncrn

Thank you very much for posting this! This is very interesting to me both because I'm a GWU alum and because my institution is interested in expanding into microcredentials.

If your organization does move forward, I'm thinking badges on Credly, or whatever preferred system, would certainly help enhance credibility and reputation.

When Harper College needed to strengthen the credibility of its Continuing Education program with employers, it turned to digital credentials -- https://resources.credly.com/harper-college-case-study

---

In my field there are certifications that mean something and certs that really have very little value.  You can do something that's quick and easy - put it on your resume and hang it on the wall but your colleagues know the difference and will smirk a bit if you're making a big deal out of nothing.  Here's a good one
Beck Institute | Home

Here's the one I'm working on now
ASCH | American Society of Clinical Hypnosis

Are these the most popular in your field?

[Alpha]

You might be interested in the Non-Degree Credentials Research Network (NCRN) project: https://gwipp.gwu.edu/non-degree-credent...twork-ncrn

Thank you very much for posting this! This is very interesting to me both because I'm a GWU alum and because my institution is interested in expanding into microcredentials.

If you're organization does move forward, I'm thinking badges on Credly, or whatever preferred system, would certainly help enhance credibility and reputation.

When Harper College needed to strengthen the credibility of its Continuing Education program with employers, it turned to digital credentials -- https://resources.credly.com/harper-college-case-study

---

In my field there are certifications that mean something and certs that really have very little value.  You can do something that's quick and easy - put it on your resume and hang it on the wall but your colleagues know the difference and will smirk a bit if you're making a big deal out of nothing.  Here's a good one
Beck Institute | Home

Here's the one I'm working on now
ASCH | American Society of Clinical Hypnosis

Are these the most popular in your field?

The CBT credential is popular because it's useful.  The Beck Institute has a good reputation and will be recognized nationally/worldwide.  It's neither cheap nor easy to earn.  The ASCH cert is a bit niche.  The organization is top shelf but Hypnosis, in general, carries a lot of preconceived notions that make it less popular.  It's more current to do EMDR.

[vintage_jacket]

You might be interested in the Non-Degree Credentials Research Network (NCRN) project: https://gwipp.gwu.edu/non-degree-credent...twork-ncrn

Thank you very much for posting this! This is very interesting to me both because I'm a GWU alum and because my institution is interested in expanding into microcredentials.

If you're organization does move forward, I'm thinking badges on Credly, or whatever preferred system, would certainly help enhance credibility and reputation.

When Harper College needed to strengthen the credibility of its Continuing Education program with employers, it turned to digital credentials -- https://resources.credly.com/harper-college-case-study

---

In my field there are certifications that mean something and certs that really have very little value.  You can do something that's quick and easy - put it on your resume and hang it on the wall but your colleagues know the difference and will smirk a bit if you're making a big deal out of nothing.  Here's a good one
Beck Institute | Home

Here's the one I'm working on now
ASCH | American Society of Clinical Hypnosis

Are these the most popular in your field?

The CBT credential is popular because it's useful.  The Beck Institute has a good reputation and will be recognized nationally/worldwide.  It's neither cheap nor easy to earn.  The ASCH cert is a bit niche.  The organization is top shelf but Hypnosis, in general, carries a lot of preconceived notions that make it less popular.  It's more current to do EMDR.

Nice! Hopefully they give you a Credly badge (or from another provider) and that it helps with any career/job prospects. My understanding is that the badges will help the public start recognizing certificates/credentials more.

[bjcheung77]

Microcredentials are useful as they can be the first credits that someone gets on route to a Bachelors or Masters. There are many microbachelors or micromasters options that ladder these MOOC courses that offer credit at the undergrad/grad levels for use at several universities. I think it's a great option to ladder these, especially since people get credit and if they like these type of courses, they can continue onwards with their Bachelors or Masters of choice, it's like getting a "detailed intro course" of the subject matter...