{"id":2992,"date":"2026-04-14T09:33:52","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T16:33:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/?p=2992"},"modified":"2026-04-14T09:33:52","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T16:33:52","slug":"stackable-credentials-journey-to-a-masters-degree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/stackable-credentials-journey-to-a-masters-degree\/","title":{"rendered":"Stackable credentials make one Oregon State student\u2019s journey to a master\u2019s degree seem \u2018doable\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ali Lanenga needed help navigating her new role as a school board member. A web search brought her to an Oregon State University master\u2019s degree, but she wasn\u2019t sure she was ready for that program \u2014 either academically or logistically.<\/p>\n

Instead, she completed a microcredential online with Oregon State, then a certificate \u2014 eventually building the confidence to pursue and complete a master\u2019s degree. Her credentials were stackable, meaning every one she finished came with credits that could apply to the next program.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt worked for me because I didn\u2019t get overwhelmed. I could do a little bit and see if I liked it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\n

What are stackable credentials?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Stackable credentials allow individuals to earn smaller credentials, such as microcredentials and certificates, that count toward larger degree programs. This modular approach provides multiple entry and exit points, enabling learners to build qualifications over time, advance their careers and pursue long-term educational goals.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Starting small, building confidence<\/h2>\n

Lanenga graduated from BYU with a degree in family and consumer sciences education and worked as a teacher in Utah before moving to Oregon with her family<\/a>. After supplementing her children\u2019s public-school education at home during the pandemic, an interest in education policy blossomed. In 2023, she ran for \u2014 and won \u2014 a seat on the Riverdale School District board and was invited to serve on the policy subcommittee. The work was both important and difficult.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was like drinking from a fire hose,\u201d she said. “I’m very much a person who’s like, ‘Well, if I’m going to do this, I want to do it well and I want to have a good foundation of knowledge.'”<\/p>\n

Lanenga started with Oregon State\u2019s Microcredential in Public Policy Leadership online<\/a>. A course in public policy theory was especially motivating, sparking a deeper interest in how sound policies can support clear decision-making.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought it would be really hard, and it was. But it opened my eyes to the work in a deeper and more intentional way,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd then I thought, \u2018Maybe I\u2019ll just take a couple more classes.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

From uncertainty to momentum<\/h2>\n

After finishing her microcredential, she enrolled in Oregon State\u2019s Graduate Certificate in Public Policy Analysis online<\/a>. By applying the 9 credits from the microcredential to the certificate, Lanenga was able to shorten her required coursework.<\/p>\n

At the end of her 18-credit certificate program \u2014 with two Oregon State credentials already in hand \u2014she applied those credits to a Master of Public Policy program online<\/a>, reducing both the remaining credit load and the time required to complete the degree program.<\/p>\n

Her prior Oregon State instructors provided the academic references she needed, and her academic success helped her realize she was ready for a master\u2019s degree.<\/p>\n

\u201cEach part felt doable,\u201d she said. \u201cI could complete one part and then another, and then I thought, \u2018I might as well just complete all of it.\u2019 I was motivated to keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n

Learning to lead through policy<\/h2>\n

While pursuing her master\u2019s degree online, Lanenga started an internship with Oregon state Sen. Janeen Sollman, D-Ore., who represents District 15. A few months later, she was hired as Sollman\u2019s full-time legislative assistant.<\/p>\n

In this role, Lanenga performs in-depth research on upcoming legislation, helping the senator understand key issues and how to communicate them to constituents.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf she is championing a specific piece of legislation, I’m making sure that we have messaging that’s really understandable for folks, because as much as we love lawyers, they write the laws, and sometimes it makes no sense to just a regular person,\u201d Lanenga said.<\/p>\n

She also fields questions about topics ranging from noise ordinances to unemployment to environmental policy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really like what I’m doing. I see myself working in government for, you know, as long as they’ll have me. It\u2019s just so fascinating. I feel like I’m helping people,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Lanenga may also take more courses to ensure she can serve her constituents with appropriate, accurate information.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will probably be the person who says, \u2018Oh! I just want to take one more thing.\u2019 I like learning. It expands my mind and thinking in ways that really help people,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

How stackable credentials work<\/h2>\n

Lanenga\u2019s journey isn’t just a personal success story; it\u2019s a blueprint for how Oregon State\u2019s stackable credentials can work.<\/p>\n

For example, students may earn a microcredential<\/a> and apply those same credits toward another program, such as an undergraduate or graduate certificate. This approach allows students like Lanenga to test a field of study before fully committing to a longer degree program.<\/p>\n

While many of Oregon State\u2019s online offerings are stackable, not all of them are. Students interested in this approach should contact OSU<\/a> before they enroll in a microcredential or certificate to ensure their credits will stack into the degree they\u2019re interested in.<\/p>\n

\n

Learn more about enhancing your career through stackable credentials from Oregon State.<\/em><\/p>\n

Request information<\/a><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

<\/span> 3<\/span> minute read<\/span><\/span>Ali Lanenga completed a microcredential online with Oregon State, then a certificate \u2014 eventually building the confidence to pursue and complete a master\u2019s degree. Her credentials were stackable, meaning every one she finished came with credits that could apply to the next program.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":90,"featured_media":2993,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,6,672,677,8],"tags":[75,711,94,655],"class_list":["post-2992","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all","category-ecampus","category-learning-experience","category-students-and-alumni","category-students","tag-college-of-liberal-arts","tag-graduate-certificate-in-public-policy-analysis","tag-master-of-public-policy","tag-microcredentials"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Ali-Lanenga-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7BNSE-Mg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":305,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/pathway-to-mnr\/","url_meta":{"origin":2992,"position":0},"title":"Pathway to MNR | Oregon State Ecampus","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"April 29, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Justin Zweifel was looking for a competitive edge in the fisheries and wildlife job market, so he turned to Oregon State University to broaden his knowledge and skill set. After earning a Graduate Certificate in Water Conflict Management online with Oregon State Ecampus, Justin realized the certificate was a great\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Archives"","block_context":{"text":"Archives","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/archives\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Justin Zweifel speaks to two faculty in the Master's of Natural Resources program.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/pathway-mnr.jpg?fit=732%2C410&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/pathway-mnr.jpg?fit=732%2C410&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/pathway-mnr.jpg?fit=732%2C410&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/pathway-mnr.jpg?fit=732%2C410&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2514,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/oregon-state-university-director-of-alternative-credentials\/","url_meta":{"origin":2992,"position":1},"title":"Oregon State University hires new director to lead strategic expansion of alternative credentials","author":"Elena Moffet","date":"April 8, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Read a Q&A with Devin Miles, director of alternative credentials in the Division of Educational Ventures, to learn how Oregon State continues to expand access and opportunity for students everywhere.","rel":"","context":"In "Alternative Credentials"","block_context":{"text":"Alternative Credentials","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/leadership-and-innovation\/alternative-credentials\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"man looking at laptop","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/alternative-credentials-Kenton-Latham-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/alternative-credentials-Kenton-Latham-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/alternative-credentials-Kenton-Latham-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/alternative-credentials-Kenton-Latham-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2077,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/oregon-state-everywhere-justin-nelson\/","url_meta":{"origin":2992,"position":2},"title":"Oregon State Everywhere: ‘Consider where you want to go, not where you are’","author":"Justin Nelson","date":"August 8, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Justin Nelson says the topics covered in Oregon State's online environmental sciences master's degree program are ideal for helping students who want to change careers \"break into new markets and industries.\" Earning a master's led Justin to a new role working in corporate sustainability strategy.","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Justin-Nelson-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Justin-Nelson-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Justin-Nelson-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Justin-Nelson-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1298,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/online-master-of-public-health-student\/","url_meta":{"origin":2992,"position":3},"title":"Online Master of Public Health program helps health systems administrator advance his career","author":"Becky Barrett","date":"December 3, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Zach Harris can see himself working in the executive-level management of a health care system. 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