Microcredential Proposals

Oregon State Division of Educational Ventures is now offering microcredentials, which provide students compact, high-quality learning experiences online and an opportunity to gain a specific, industry-specific set of skills. Microcredentials are now available for both online and on-campus students, offering flexible learning options tailored to diverse student needs. By completing a microcredential, students earn a digital badge that signifies to employers that they have discipline-specific knowledge in a given area. Learn more about microcredentials.

Criteria

New microcredentials must meet the following criteria:

• Contain at least three (3) courses and eight (8) total credit hours
• Be made up of courses available in both in-person and online formats, ensuring accessibility for diverse student needs
• Be accepted for development by the Division of Educational Ventures, and approved by the faculty microcredential review committee
• Each course in the microcredential must be made available at least twice per academic year

The following are preferred criteria for new microcredentials:

• Prerequisites should be limited to maintain accessibility for nondegree-seeking students, keeping them manageable, even for advanced-level microcredentials
• Microcredentials should be stackable to an existing online degree program
• Microcredentials should be related to the following disciplines: foreign languages, computer science/engineering, health care/health sciences, business, and environmental sciences. Faculty are welcome to propose microcredentials in any discipline, but preference will be given to proposals that are aligned with those areas.
• Microcredentials should provide standalone value for nondegree-seeking students seeking in-demand skills or career advancement

For a full list of nondegree-seeking student considerations, visit this link.

Proposals are considered, reviewed and approved on a rolling basis.

Microcredential Education Level

Ecampus organizes microcredentials into two general levels: introductory or advanced. The purpose of these levels is to simplify the organization of available microcredentials, align with industry and educational standards, and help prospective learners identify which microcredentials are appropriate for them.

How do we determine education level for a microcredential? We use a combination of prerequisite information, course numbering, course content, and intended audience to determine the appropriate education level for each microcredential. If you're thinking about submitting a microcredential proposal, you can review the education level criteria.

Getting Started with Microcredential Program Proposals

There are many elements to consider when proposing a new microcredential program at OSU. As microcredentials are a new type of program offering in the larger higher education landscape, the Division of Educational Ventures wants to support your goals in this area.

Start by contacting Devin Miles, Director of Alternative Credentials, to discuss your idea for a potential microcredential. Collaboration is key for building strong online programs, so we highly encourage those interested in creating a microcredential to engage with Devin before formally submitting a microcredential proposal. Devin can be reached at devin.miles@oregonstate.edu.

After you meet with Devin, the division will undertake appropriate market analysis, help align course learning outcomes with labor-market appropriate skills language, and work with the division's program intake team to ensure a strong microcredential proposal. After this process, you will be contacted about submitting a proposal, and curricular submission to the CIM (Curriculum Inventory Management) system.

Proposal form

Propose a microcredential