Microcredentials at Syracuse University

What is a microcredential?

A microcredential is evidence of a discrete achievement of some kind that results from a having fulfilled a specific set of measurable requirements. In higher education, while it is sometimes described as a set of achieved learning outcomes consisting of the completion of instructional components, this is not necessarily the only way to view a microcredential.

By its very nature, the term "microcredential" consists of two parts: First, "micro" suggests that it is a granular, or atomic, level of discrete achievement. Therefore, it does not suggest that one must achieve a series of something in order to qualify as having achieved a microcredential. Second, "credential" suggests that it is referring to a designation, a label, an achievement or a qualification of some kind.

Microcredentials earned at any level can be combined into more complex credentials if appropriate, and if doing so respects the nature of the original microcredentials as well as the overall credential into which they are combined. Any microcredential that can be combined with others to create at least a portion of a more complex credential is therefore considered to be "stackable". Numerous studies in recent years have identified a growing popularity for the creation of, and the earning of, stackable credentials. A given microcredential may be found combined into several higher-complexity credentials, just as an English 101 course may be found on the transcripts of many undergraduate students earning many types of degrees. Courses completed in a Master's program may also stack into a Doctoral program. We are all familiar with an Associate's degree being stackable into a Bachelor's degree. A workshop resulting in a Python Programming microcredential may be stackable toward a more complex credential representing achievements in Data Analytics. Technically, the resulting "stack" of combined microcredentials is known as a "bundle", and these bundles can represent multiple layers of credential grouping.

Therefore credentialing involves defining component modules of assessed achievement in the form of microcredentials and then determining how a combination of such modules could be sequenced into a higher-level microcredential bundle. When a person completes all the microcredentials involved in that final bundle, they will also earn the credential that is represented by the bundle.

Developing a new microcredential

Please contact the Office of Microcredentials at microcredential@syr.edu if your school, college or department is interested in developing and creating a microcredential.