Micro-credentials and Badges

Micro-credential badges

 

A micro-credential is a small class, workshop, or program that students can enroll in in order to gain relevant skills needed for today’s workforce. A digital badge is the visual representation of having earned a micro-credential and can be shared on various online platforms to showcase the earner’s achievement.

More Information

  • Why enroll in a Micro-credential course?
    • Choose what skills you want to develop. Micro-credentials differ from a degree, minor, or certificate program in that you only register for the courses offering the skills you wish to learn. 
    • Combine several badges into a larger micro-credential program. Enroll in several related badges to earn a larger, overarching micro-credential. 
    • Share your achievements easily on online platforms to employers and colleagues. Digital badges contain metadata describing your micro-credential and how you earned it. You can share badges on social media such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter; add to your e-portfolio; embed in a website directly from our badging partner Credly; send in an email; and more. 
    • Own your education. Badges are owned by you, the earner. You can choose where and how you want to share your digital micro-credentials. 
  • What are Micro-credentials?

    Micro-credentials allow earners to showcase skills, competencies, or achievements gained from learning experiences. Micro-credentials can be earned from a variety of learning experiences: 

    • Curricular: Select credit-bearing course(s) normally taken and/or are degree requirements that represent a micro set of defined, workplace-ready skills. Curricular micro-credentials may also contain co-curricular or professional development components, and at the minimum include at least one credit-bearing course equaling 1.00 quarter hour or more, a declaration of program intent from students, and an additional micro-credential earning component. Curricular micro-credentials are not awarded for larger programs of study, such as degrees and graduate certificates. (Examples: Traditional undergraduate- or graduate-level courses with course numbers ranging from 1000 and up in addition to a micro-credential earning component)
    • Co-Curricular: Classes and experiential workshops taken outside of a traditional course of study. Co-curricular micro-credentials may also contain professional development components but at the minimum comprise of at least one co-curricular/experiential class or workshop. (Examples: Continuing Education Unit (CEU) programs, non-credit classes and workshops)
    • Professional Development: Opportunities where the learning modality is based on observation and reflection, and does not contain curricular or co-curricular courses. (Examples: Faculty/staff/student learning seminars, career competency development)
  • What are Digital Badges?
    • Digital badges are the visual representation of having earned a micro-credential. Badges demonstrate that a student has obtained a certain level of mastery for a definable skillset or competency/ies.
    • Badges are digitally-coded objects containing hyperlinks to: Proof; Achievement description; Earner’s name; Awarding body’s name; Issue date; Expiration Date; and Sponsor information (if applicable). Badges allows students to utilize a platform to “showcase” evidence of their gained competencies. Compared to traditional course assessment components, digital badges provide a more transparent and evidenced-based demonstration of what skills a student acquires and can utilize. Badging additionally allows students to individually display discrete skills that they have obtained, which can set them apart in the professional realm. 
  • What Micro-credentials and Badges does DU offer?

    A full listing of available badges is available on DU’s Credly platform. 

    DU currently has three general classifications for badges:

    Curricular – Signified with a dark crimson center

    Co-Curricular – Signified with a dark grey center

    Professional Development – Signified with a light gold center

    In addition to the three categories above, micro-credentials can also be co-sponsored with industry partners to train employees in specific skills. A co-sponsored badge can be offered for any badge category and for any level as applicable. The co-sponsor's logo will be included on the badge image.

    Level 1 – Signified by a crimson banner and a star   
    Level 1 badges show that earners have gained the core skills and frameworks necessary to demonstrate competency. Completion of this level signifies the learner has a beginner level mastery of the subject or skills. These badges are part of a sequence of badges (Level 1 to Level 2, or Level 1 through Level 3).

    Level 2 – Signified by a crimson banner and two stars   
    Level 2 badges expand upon the skills earned on Level 1 and provide further specialization. The criteria to earn these badges is more rigorous. Completion of this level signifies the learner has a professional level mastery of the subject or skills. These badges are part of a sequence of badges (Level 1 to Level 2, or Level 1 through Level 3).

    Level 3 – Signified by a crimson banner and three stars   
    Level 3 badges represent mastery of the skills contained in the badge. The earner has completed a substantial curriculum to earn this micro-credential. Completion of this level signifies the learner has a specialist level mastery of the subject or skills. These badges are part of a sequence of badges (Level 1 to Level 2, or Level 1 through Level 3).

    Stackable Badges – Signified by light gold flare   
    Individual badges can stack into a larger credential to represent a wider set of skills. A stackable digital badge can consist of a combination of un-leveled or leveled badges.

    The following units are offering micro-credentials. Please visit DU's Credly Platform for a full listing of offerings. 

    Academic Affairs

    Career & Professional Development

    College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

    Daniels College of Business

    Division of Student Affairs & Inclusive Excellence

    Graduate School of Social Work

    Office of Internationalization

    Office of Teaching & Learning

    University College

  • How to Earn a Micro-credential
    • Step 1: Find a micro-credential 
    • Step 2: Enroll in your program 
    • Step 3: Accept your badge through Credly 
    • Step 4: Showcase your badge 
  • Faculty/Staff Micro-credential Proposal Process

    Interested in offering a micro-credential? All badge proposals must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar for evaluation and approval. Please first review the Faculty/Staff Micro-credential Approval Process document and then proceed with the Fillable Micro-credential Proposal Form.  

    Faculty/Staff Micro-credential Approval Process 

    Submit a Micro-credential Proposal

  • Resources

    Please refer to DU’s FAQ for answers to commonly asked questions and the Tutorial – How to Accept DU Badges for a guide on how to accept your micro-credential:

    FAQ – Micro-credentials and Badges

    Tutorial – How to Accept DU Badges

    For all other questions, please contact Bianca.Kumar@du.edu or refer to the Credly Support Page.