{"id":72148,"date":"2024-03-21T01:43:55","date_gmt":"2024-03-21T05:43:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/world.edu\/?p=72148"},"modified":"2024-03-21T01:43:55","modified_gmt":"2024-03-21T05:43:55","slug":"what-are-microcredentials-and-are-they-worth-having","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/world.edu\/what-are-microcredentials-and-are-they-worth-having\/","title":{"rendered":"What are microcredentials? And are they worth having?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

As\u00a0private firms<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0governments<\/a>\u00a0struggle to fill jobs \u2013 and with the cost of college\u00a0too high<\/a>\u00a0for many students \u2013\u00a0employers<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0elected officials<\/a>\u00a0are searching for alternative ways for people to get good jobs without having to earn a traditional college degree.<\/p>\n

Microcredentials are one such alternative. But just what are microcredentials? And do they lead to better jobs and higher earnings?<\/p>\n

As a\u00a0sociologist<\/a>\u00a0who has examined the\u00a0research on microcredentials<\/a>, the best available answer right now is: It depends on what a person is studying.<\/p>\n

Defining the term<\/strong><\/h4>\n

While there is no official definition of a microcredential, there are some broadly accepted components. Like traditional degrees, microcredentials certify peoples\u2019 skills and knowledge, ranging in scope from software skills like Microsoft Excel to broad abilities like project management.<\/p>\n

Microcredentials typically indicate \u201ccompetencies<\/a>\u201d \u2013 that is, things people can do. They are represented by\u00a0digital badges<\/a>, which are emblems that can be shared online. Just as a diploma verifies a degree-holder\u2019s achievement, badges verify microcredentials. An employer can click on the digital badge to see who awarded it, when it was awarded and what it represents.<\/p>\n

Microcredentials also allow people to verify what they already know, such as a person who is an experienced Python coder, or what they acquire through short-term learning and assessments. An experienced coder in the Python programming language could take an assessment and earn a microcredential, as could a novice after completing a programming course. Either way, microcredentials \u201callow an individual to show mastery in a certain area<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

What usually distinguishes microcredentials from other short-term learning, like\u00a0nondegree certificates<\/a>, is duration. Certificates typically take longer. The other difference is location: Microcredentials are typically completed online.<\/p>\n

Data from\u00a0Credential Engine<\/a>, a nonprofit organization that catalogs education and training credentials, and\u00a0Class Central<\/a>, a searchable index of online courses, indicate that business, IT and programming, and health care are popular focus areas for microcredentials.<\/p>\n

A growing trend<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Many colleges and universities, such as\u00a0SUNY<\/a>,\u00a0Oregon State<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Harvard<\/a>, offer microcredentials. But they are also offered through social media companies like\u00a0LinkedIn Learning<\/a>\u00a0and private providers like\u00a0EdX<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Coursera<\/a>. Professional organizations like the\u00a0National Education Association<\/a>\u00a0also award microcredentials.<\/p>\n

Some microcredentials directly prepare learners to become industry certified \u2013 like SkillStorm\u2019s CompTIA A+ certification,\u00a0an eight-week online course<\/a>\u00a0that prepares learners to work in IT support and help desk roles. Others focus on general employability skills \u2013 like Binghamton University\u2019s\u00a0course in career readiness<\/a>, which helps learners develop their resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile. It also provides a mock interview opportunity. Some microcredentials are\u00a0\u201cstackable\u201d<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 meaning that they indicate related skills. Someone pursuing a health care career, for example, might earn stackable microcredentials in clinical medical assisting, phlebotomy and as a electrocardiogram \u2013 or EKG \u2013 technician.<\/p>\n

Some microcredential programs are\u00a0credit-bearing<\/a>\u00a0and may serve as entry points to degree or certificate programs.<\/p>\n

Because of the short duration of microcredential programs, most are not regulated by Title IV of the\u00a0U.S. Higher Education Act<\/a>\u00a0and are not typically eligible for federal financial aid, which only covers programs lasting 15 weeks or longer.<\/p>\n

If Congress passes the\u00a0Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act<\/a>, some microcredentials \u2013 those that last eight weeks or more \u2013 could become eligible for financial aid. But until there is a final bill, it is unclear whether and how legislation would impact learners pursuing microcredentials. The bill was set to be considered on Feb. 28, 2024, but that\u00a0vote has been postponed<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Who seeks microcredentials?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

In 2021 and 2022, my colleagues and I surveyed\u00a0more than 300 students pursuing noncredit programs<\/a>\u00a0at two community colleges. The students are similar to microcredential seekers in that they\u2019re doing short-term programs that are often hybrid or fully online.<\/p>\n

Our survey showed that the vast majority \u2013 over 90% \u2013 were over 25 years old and that most \u2013 over 65% \u2013 had prior college experience, including many who had earned degrees or certificates.<\/p>\n

The majority of surveyed students indicated that their programs were either free or employer-sponsored. About a fourth said they wanted to get out of low-wage jobs or advance in their current jobs. Between 35% and 50% said they wanted to explore a career change.<\/p>\n

Many noncredit programs at community colleges are offered partially or fully in-person, while microcredentials are more typically earned online. While online programs may be convenient, they are also known for\u00a0high withdrawal rates<\/a>. Nondegree programs of study also have very\u00a0low completion rates<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Which microcredentials pay off?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Credentials in traditionally male-dominated fields, such as IT and construction specialties, yielded substantial benefits \u2013 lower unemployment rates and far higher wages. Credentials in female-dominated fields, such as education and administrative support, yielded little to no benefit in terms of either employment rates or earnings. These findings come from a 2019\u00a0survey of adults without degrees<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The bottom line is that salaries can\u00a0vary widely<\/a>. For instance, people in fields such as IT cloud computing may see a pay boost of US$20,000, whereas people in office administration and certain education-related jobs may not see any salary increase. Credentials in these fields are less likely to be employer-sponsored.<\/p>\n

Should you get a microcredential? The answer certainly depends on your current employment situation \u2013 including your employer\u2019s willingness to sponsor training \u2013 and your career goals. While\u00a095% of employers see benefits<\/a>\u00a0in their employees earning a microcredential, 46% are \u201cunsure of the quality of education\u201d represented by microcredentials, and 33% are unsure of their alignment with industry standards.<\/p>\n

Given the lack of systematic evidence at this point, I believe their concerns are warranted. Federal and state regulation could lead to better data collection and more quality control for microcredentials.<\/p>\n

Author Bio:<\/strong> Daniel Douglas is a Lecturer in Sociology at Trinity College<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As\u00a0private firms\u00a0and\u00a0governments\u00a0struggle to fill jobs \u2013 and with the cost of college\u00a0too high\u00a0for many students \u2013\u00a0employers\u00a0and\u00a0elected officials\u00a0are searching for alternative ways for people to get good jobs without having to earn a traditional college degree. Microcredentials are one such alternative. But just what are microcredentials? And do they lead to better jobs and higher earnings? […]\n… learn more→<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[351714],"coauthors":[11733],"class_list":["post-72148","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-higher-education","tag-microcredentials"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat are microcredentials? 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