Micro-credentials
What are micro-credentials?
A micro-credential is a short, focused learning experience that develops a specific skill or competency that is valued by employers. Micro-credentials typically are validated by assessing the skill or competency and awarding a digital badge when a learner has demonstrated mastery.
At UCR, micro-credentials are:
1. Competency-based: Competencies are discrete sets of knowledge, skills, and abilities acquired by learners – also referred to as Learning Outcomes (LOs).
2. Aligned with Workplace/Post-Graduation needs: Micro-credentials develop competencies that are valued and enhance success in the workplace and/or in a post-graduate degree.
3. Rigorous: Micro-credentials use rigorous assessment methods to show that a learner has acquired the specified competencies.
4. Comprehensive: Micro-credentials have a culminating project or experience that requires the learner to reflect on how the competencies align with their own personal and professional growth.
5. Stackable and Portable: To the extent possible, micro-credentials should be designed so they can serve as part of a series (stackable), either at UCR or elsewhere (portable).
6. Verifiable: UCR partners with a third party platform, Accredible, which issues verifiable badges after learners demonstrate mastery.
7. Not for academic credit: Whether or not micro-credentials require completion of credit-bearing coursework, they do not convey academic credit above and beyond that coursework. Microcredentials are not a backdoor into credit-bearing courses: if a micro-credential requires completion of credit-bearing coursework, then learners must be eligible UCR students.
8. Issued in digital format: Micro-credentials are not part of a learner’s academic transcript but the badges issued by Accredible may appear on a co-curricular transcript or LinkedIn profile.
9. Distinct from degrees and professional certificates: Degrees and professional certificates (offered by University Extension) are credit-bearing, transcripted, and approved by the Academic Senate.
Want to earn a micro-credential?
Here are links to pages with more information about some of the most commonly offered micro-credentials at UCR:
If you have previously earned a micro-credential at UCR, and wish to review and use your badge, please visit https://badges.ucr.edu/.
Want to offer a micro-credential?
If you represent a UCR entity wishing to offer a new micro-credential, please complete the following online form:
Micro-credential Review Committee Members
- Ken Baerenklau, Associate Provost (Chair)
- Brian Haynes, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
- Lidia Kos, Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate Divison
- Alex Najera, Chief Human Resources Officer
- Louie Rodriguez, Vice Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Education
- Kevin Vaughn, Dean for University Extension