Micro-credentials can be issued for formal and informal academic or professional learning experiences. A digital badge is one example of a micro-credential.
UNH Micro-Credentials are
- Competency-based
- Approved through faculty/staff governance
- Meaningful and of high quality
Why are Micro-Credentials Important?
Individuals
- High value on clear pathways between education and career
- Serve as Door Openers and Career Accelerators
- Cost-efficient and timely attainment of work ready skills
- Flexible time-span facilitates quicker entry into the job market
Employees
- Next generation tools and practices to validate skills and competencies
- Collaborative partnerships to support skills-based hiring practices
- Add value to attract and retain top talent
- Cost savings to “up skill” instead of find new talent
- Respond quickly to economic shifts
Policy Makers
- Meet NH’s, local, and regional, workforce development needs
- Support Work, Stay Play and Next Generation Workforce Initiative
- Address economic development priorities for key industries
- Respond rapidly to shifting economic demands
- Develop educated workforce and citizenry equipped 21st century skills
Institutions
- Collaborative partnerships to support skills-based hiring practices
- Adapt to shifts in economy and provides work ready employees
- We know how to teach!
- UNH brand bestows: trustworthiness, recognized experts in their fields, abundant learning resources
- Vetted learning programs and outcomes
Digital Badges Defined
A UNH digital badge is an electronic representation of a skill, achievement, or experience.
- It contains detailed information about the skill or experience that enables viewers to ascertain what activities and/or assessments the learner completed.
- Skills and/or competencies are defined and evaluated by the digital badge issuer.
- Badges represent the successful completion of a variety of learning experiences in credit and non-credit coursework.
- Sharing badges is learner controlled and open across technology platforms including social media, blogs, online portfolios and others.
