College Launches New Micro-Credential Program - Mike Robertson|, College of Charleston

The College of Charleston is partnering with global online learning platform Coursera to launch a new program providing industry-branded micro-credentials to students, alumni, faculty and staff at no cost. Students will be able to earn professional certificates for in-demand workplace skills that will complement any academic major or minor. Faculty and staff will also be able to earn professional certificates through flexible, online training.  “This partnership will provide members of the College of Charleston community the opportunity to build skills using resources from some of the world’s leading companies,” says College of Charleston President Andrew T. Hsu. “As one of the oldest colleges in the nation, the College of Charleston is setting the blueprint for other liberal arts institutions to follow.” 

https://today.cofc.edu/2023/11/08/college-launches-new-micro-credential-program/

The Microcredential Generation - Sara Weissman, Inside Higher Ed

Their classroom is a little unusual. In fact, it’s not a room at all. The students are out on a forested logging site in the Kennebec Valley, a rural area of Maine. Neat piles of logs sit in the distance. A whiteboard hangs off of a truck. Heavy machines, which from afar look like large metal creatures, are waiting to be used.  McDonough is enrolled in Northern Maine Community College’s mechanized logging operations and forest trucking program. Free to students and organized in partnership with the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast, the five-month program offers a pretty sweet-sounding deal: a logging credential along with commercial driver’s license training so the students can also haul the logs they’ve learned to cut. 

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-innovation/alternative-credentials/2024/10/01/microcredential-generation

NDSU to offer new online certificate focused on AI - Isac Dinesen, InForum

North Dakota State University plans to offer a new certificate diving into the world of artificial intelligence and how humans interact with it. The faculty who were part of coming up with the idea say not only is AI part of the future, it is part of the present. David Westerman, associate professor in the NDSU Department of Communication, said, “I wouldn't even call it the future, because it's the present for sure, as well.” Starting in spring, NDSU is offering a new certificate students can earn: Human Factors in Artificial Intelligence. The certificate aims to give people a greater understanding of not only what AI is used for, but why.

https://www.inforum.com/news/fargo/ndsu-to-offer-new-online-certificate-focused-on-ai

Developing anesthesia nursing micro-credentials based on core competencies: a Delphi study - Xin Yin, Huihui Hu, Luo Wang, Shuo Wang & Fang Zhou; BMC Medical Education volume

In recent years, advancements in medical technology and a surge in surgical procedures in China have led to an escalating demand for anesthetic nurse services. Nevertheless, the existing quantity of anesthesia nurses in China significantly falls short of fulfilling this requirement. This study aims to develop scientifically rigorous and standardized anesthesia nursing micro-credentials, with the expectation of providing innovative solutions for the training of anesthesia nursing professionals and injecting new impetus into the sustainable development of the industry.

https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12909-025-08199-z

Nebraska State Colleges Launch System-Wide Initiative to Re-Enroll Thousands of Adults with “Some College, No Degree” - Inside Track

The Nebraska State College System—which serves more than 9,000 students across its three campuses annually—today announced the launch of an ambitious new system-wide initiative, Reengage Nebraska. The program is designed to help thousands of stopped-out students with some college credit but no degree return to higher education and complete a degree or credential. Built in collaboration with the 501(c)(3) nonprofit InsideTrack, the effort will support re-enrollment, persistence and completion at Chadron State College, Peru State College and Wayne State College. “Our State Colleges are built to serve those seeking to continue their education, building a career, raising a family or serving their community,” said Dr. Paul Turman, chancellor of the Nebraska State College System. “Reengage Nebraska is about bridging the last mile between higher education and economic opportunity. It’s also a powerful investment in individual opportunity and ultimately in the long-term strength of our workforce, our local economies and our communities.”

https://www.insidetrack.org/news/nebraska-state-colleges-launch-system-wide-initiative-to-re-enroll-thousands-of-adults-with-some-college-no-degree

University To Offer Expanded Programming, ‘Micro-Credentials’ In Summer 2026 - Tatiana Zaragosa, the Echo

California Lutheran University will introduce expanded programming and “micro-credentials” for the summer 2026 session to combat low enrollment, keep students on campus and generate revenue, according to Brandy Yee, assistant to the provost for summer programming and partnerships. Initial announcements of the planned changes came courtesy of Leanne Neilson, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, at an Oct. 28 Town Hall meeting. 

https://cluecho.com/30143/news/university-to-offer-expanded-programming-micro-credentials-in-summer-2026/

Shorter term, bigger gain? More colleges try eight-week calendar - Amy Dipierro, EdSource

In eight-week terms, two courses are a full course load, rather than four or five in semesters.

Supporters say compressed terms attract and retain busy students juggling work and family.

But there’s limited large-scale research on shorter terms and switching to a new calendar requires big campus-wide changes.

https://edsource.org/2025/accelerated-learning-community-colleges/743832

Wharton Online Launches Innovation Strategy and Design Thinking Certificate - University of Pennsylvania

Wharton Online today announced the launch of its new Innovation Strategy and Design Thinking Certificate, a fully online, self-paced credential designed to help professionals master innovation from idea generation through execution. Developed and led by Wharton professors Christian Terwiesch and Karl Ulrich, global authorities on innovation management, the certificate brings together three in-depth online courses that can be taken individually or as part of the full program:

Introduction to Innovation: Everyone Is an Innovator – Build foundational literacy and learn to identify and evaluate innovation opportunities using structured, AI-enabled methods.

Innovation Tournaments and the Process View – Learn to design and run live innovation tournaments that surface and scale winning ideas.

Design Thinking: Developing the Solution Concept – Apply customer-centered design frameworks to turn insights into tested, actionable solutions.

https://news.wharton.upenn.edu/press-releases/2025/11/wharton-online-launches-innovation-strategy-and-design-thinking-certificate/

The rise of micro-credentials in continuing education - BC Business

The rise of micro-credentials in continuing education - BC Business

Learn or be left behind. This is the imperative that’s driving many mid-career (and, increasingly, earlycareer) professionals to gain a competitive advantage in today’s tough employment market through upskilling. “Today, artificial intelligence is not a futuristic concept but a mainstream reality reshaping industries and professions,” says Jo-Anne Clarke, dean of Division of Continuing Studies at the University of Victoria (UVic). “Add the complexities of tariffs, geopolitical uncertainty and economic volatility, and it’s clear that both employers and employees are navigating an increasingly dynamic and unpredictable landscape.” In this context, a person’s initial credentials, degrees or training may not be enough for prospective employers, or for existing employers hiring for a senior role. 

https://bcbusiness.ca/industries/education/the-rise-of-micro-credentials-in-continuing-education/

ATU-Ozark Creating New Series of Micro-Credentials - Artkansas Tech Ozark Campus

Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus, in partnership with the Education Design Lab, is working on the launch of a new series of professional skills training micro-credentials designed to help upskill and reskill the workforce. The intended launch date is spring 2026. The collaboration has been supporting ATU-Ozark in designing a series of micro-credentials that align with workforce needs and prepare students for in-demand careers. These professional skills trainings will provide targeted learning opportunities in four key professional skill areas: industrial maintenance technician, community health advocate, fundamentals of supervision and digital marketing.

https://www.arkansastechnews.com/atu-ozark-creating-new-series-of-micro-credentials/

Macca's to serve up uni credits - Emily Bennett, 9 News Australia

More than 20,000 McDonald's workers will have the opportunity to turn workplace skills into "micro-credentials" for university subjects under a new program which will roll out to stores nationally today.

The fast food giant's Archways to Opportunity program will allow managers and crew coaches to earn up to eight micro-credentials by completing on-the job learning and face-to-face training. Workers can take the micro-credentials to any university nationwide and apply for recognition of prior learning.

https://www.9news.com.au/national/fast-food-giants-move-to-save-workers-up-to-20000/c2cd6231-98ac-4f15-abdb-f92d466e5bee

Non-degree credentials are surging. But the data is lagging Access and Affordability - Alcino Donadel, University Business

Attainment of certifications, licensing, boot camps, micro-credentials and apprenticeships tripled from 2009 to 2021. The latest findings from Pew now suggest that up to one-third of U.S. adults today have earned some form of a non-degree credential. While this trend signals growing demand for short-term, flexible learning opportunities, it remains unclear how some students can afford tuition. The majority of such programs are too short to qualify for federal aid, and less than a quarter of students accessed financial support for their credentials. More than half of all respondents paid tuition out of pocket. 

https://universitybusiness.com/non-degree-credentials-are-surging-but-the-data-is-lagging/

ASU named among the world’s best universities for graduate employability - Marshall Terrill, ASU News

Holding strong, the university retains its No. 2 ranking among US public institutions in the latest Global Employability University Ranking and Survey. Fourth-year ASU business student Mariana Torres has already held intern positions for Walmart and Google. She says ASU has helped set her up for career success post-graduation. Photo by Deanna Dent/Arizona State University. When Mariana Torres first stepped onto the campus of Arizona State University, she was stepping into uncharted territory — not just for herself but for her entire family.

https://news.asu.edu/20251030-university-news-asu-ranked-among-world-best-graduate-employability

Freshman Summer Internships Are Important, But Don’t Forget These Other Skills - Justin Higgins, Georgetown University

College freshmen are told time and time again not to worry about landing an internship the summer after their first year. Instead, they’re urged to enjoy their “last summer of freedom” before entering the workforce for the foreseeable future. If you ask me, that’s pretty solid advice.But at a place like Georgetown — where there is a strong pre-professional culture — following that advice can be easier said than done. When your classmates are already interning on the Hill or taking networking calls (guilty), it’s hard not to feel like you should be doing something too. The truth is, almost anything that you do during your freshman summer can help you.

https://www.georgetown.edu/news/summer-internships-are-important-but-dont-forget-these-skills/

Boréal introduces online training to support child care managers - Sudbury

Micro-credentials aim to equip managers with techniques to meet diverse needs of young kids. Collège Boréal is launching three new micro-credentials designed to help early childhood managers strengthen their leadership and mentoring skills while gaining knowledge tailored to the specific needs of francophone minority communities. The college launched the new initiative in October as part of National Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Week and Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day. Offered in French and titled Développement comportemental de l’enfant, Bien-être et santé mentale and Sensibilisation culturelle (Child Behavioural Development, Well-being and Mental Health, and Cultural Awareness), these three online programs, each lasting three months, will be rolled out progressively starting in winter 2026. 

https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/boreal-introduces-online-training-to-support-child-care-managers-11426063

Padmasheela Kiiskilä: Building trust in micro-credentials requires strong data governance - Tampere University, Finland

In her doctoral dissertation, Padmasheela Kiiskilä (MS) investigates how higher education institutions and alliances can implement scalable, trusted, and strategically aligned micro-credential systems. Her research identifies the essential features of digital platforms needed for issuing micro-credentials, examines how learners and institutions perceive their value, and analyzes how centralized approaches can support large-scale coordination across universities. Micro-credentials have emerged as an important way to support lifelong learning, reskilling, and the recognition of smaller units of learning. As higher education institutions adapt to changing learner needs and labor market demands, micro-credentials provide digitally verifiable proof of specific skills, competencies, or achievements. 

https://www.tuni.fi/en/news/padmasheela-kiiskila-building-trust-micro-credentials-requires-strong-data-governance

Dual Degrees and Stackable Credentials Gain Value as the New Currency of Global Careers - APN News

Dual degrees and stackable credentials are fast becoming the new currency of global careers. As automation and skills-based hiring redefine the job market, an overwhelming 96% of employers now confirm that micro-credentials significantly strengthen a candidate’s application. The global shift is driving universities and education providers and learners to adopt modular and credit-based education systems designed for flexibility and lifelong learning.

https://www.apnnews.com/dual-degrees-and-stackable-credentials-gain-value-as-the-new-currency-of-global-careers/

Enhancing the learning ecosystem with micro-credentials - Patrick Blessinger, World University News

Micro-credentials have become alternative paths to learning for many people. They are now recognised as legitimate forms of knowledge. In some cases, they can be applied towards certificate or degree-level credentials. I want to discuss how university leaders, employers, professors and students intersect in the creation of micro-credentials and examine the implications for higher education institutions.

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=2025102112165698

Framework proposes trademark for micro-credentials protection - Jacquie Withers, University World News

As micro-credentials proliferate in Canada but urgently need improved conceptualisation, standardisation and transparency, a pan-Canadian framework for micro-credentials has been proposed in a new report produced for the Canadian Standards Association – a non-profit, non-governmental standardisation organisation with a national mandate. In the report, Activating the Full Potential of Micro-credentials in Canada, researchers Iain Wilson, Janet Balfour, Sarah Tracy and Alex Usher of Toronto-based Higher Education Strategy Associates (HESA) highlight the global topicality of micro-credentials, and acknowledge their potential for rapid upskilling and reskilling, as well as retraining “in the face of a labour market that values mobility and rapid adaptation to changing skills needs”.

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20251022141128500

Recognition of credentials – The next big challenge - Karen MacGregor, University World News

There is no comprehensive data on micro-credentials across all providers, but in August 2025 online course aggregator Class Central reported listing 4,171 micro-credentials on 10 online MOOCs platforms; 60% are in business, programming and computer science. There is also a dizzying array of short courses offered across the private, public and civic sectors. Around the world, frameworks are emerging that structure micro-credentials and align them with national qualifications. Some national bodies run recognition systems for micro-credentials, such as in New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Scotland, and ahead-of-the-world Europe has several region-wide bodies.

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20251028080329233

Mapping of microcredentials ecosystem in Latin America - British Council

The rapid evolution of the global job market has highlighted the need for flexible, inclusive, and skills-focused learning pathways. This research explores how UK transnational education (TNE) and micro-credentials can bridge social, economic, and gender disparities, empowering individuals - particularly women and marginalised group - to access international career opportunities. The research provides an in-depth exploration of transnational education and micro-credentials, focusing on their development, implementation and challenges within the higher education landscapes of the UK and Latin America. 

https://opportunities-insight.britishcouncil.org/short-articles/reports/mapping-of-microcredentials-ecosystem-latin-america