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Micro-What? Understanding Microcredentials at UNF
What Are Microcredentials?
Microcredentials are short, focused learning experiences that verify specific skills, knowledge, or competencies. They are designed to be flexible, stackable, and responsive to workforce needs—making them ideal for learners seeking to stand out, upskill, reskill, or explore new career paths. They let employers and professional networks know that an earner has particular skills and competencies.
UNF currently offers three types of microcredentials:
Digital badges are awarded at UNF for completing competency-based learning experiences, which may include academic coursework, co-curricular activities, or professional development. Digital badges provide verified evidence of proficiency acquired through a specific learning experience.
- Current UNF students have free access to many digital badges offered by various colleges and academic units, on topics from AI to Sustainable Living, with a focus on career development skills.
- UNF’s Professional and Lifelong Learning division offers a variety of training programs awarded via digital badge that are available to anyone, on topics from Animal-Assisted Services to Project Management.
Graduate microcertificates at UNF are credit-bearing and typically consist of 5–8 graduate credit hours. Available to current students and post-baccalaureate individuals, they offer a low-risk way to explore graduate education and can serve as a steppingstone to a degree program while still holding significant value on its own. Microcertificate are issued via digital badge, and the coursework is reflected on their transcript.| Feature | Graduate Microcertificates | Digital Badges | Non-credit Certificates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit-bearing | Yes | No | No |
| Development Process | Proposals approved by the Digital Badging Steering Committee. Must be comprised of for-credit coursework approved through faculty governance | Proposals approved by the Digital Badging Steering Committee | Proposals approved by the Provost or Designee |
| Eligibility | Current students and post-baccalaureate individuals | Varies by badge type. Some digital badges are only available to currently enrolled students | Anyone |
| Size | 5-8 credit hours; usually two semesters | 3 – 30 hours; usually completed within an academic year | At least three contact hours; length varies |
| Stackable | Yes—may be credited toward graduate certificates or degree programs | Some badges may stack into other microcredentials | N/A |
| Purpose | Specialized graduate-level career skills; steppingstone to degree program | Verifiable evidence of skills and competencies; flexible and fast | Enhance career, prepare for a new job, or expand skills |
| Assessment | Aligned with course learning outcomes | Varies by badge and may include demonstration of competencies, artifact submission, and objective testing | Varies by program |