The Metropolitan State University of Denver Micro-Credential and Digital Badging Policy, passed by the Faculty Senate in April, officially took effect Aug. 18.
To help all University stakeholders understand and utilize this policy, here are some helpful definitions:
- A micro-credential is a short program of learning focused on the gaining and evaluation of demonstrated competencies, specific skills or knowledge related to a topic.
- A digital badge is an electronic emblem that serves as evidence of an individual’s completion of a micro-credential and represents competencies related to a specific topic or topics. Digital badges can include metadata on the evidence of learning and link to the sponsoring institution and evaluation criteria.
What the policy entails
Under the policy, MSU Denver academic departments and other University units may create, design and award micro-credentials, signified by digital badges, which are associated with MSU Denver. These may be awarded to students, faculty members, staff members, alumni and other community partners for the completion of specific experiences or achievements or for the demonstration of specific competencies. These achievements and competencies can be associated with the completion of academic activities, campus activities or initiatives. Digital badges will be awarded via an electronic platform and can be incorporated into a professional online presence and e-portfolio, such as LinkedIn.
How to use it
Like academic majors, minors and certificates, micro-credentials are not in themselves credit-bearing but can be made up of components that include credit or noncredit courses and learning experiences.
Likewise, micro-credentials, in themselves, cannot be used to fulfill certificate, degree or program requirements and will not be listed on a student’s transcript. However, micro-credentials can be paired with existing credited learning, stackable credentials and other learning options.
For example, a micro-credential may be defined as being constituted by a course component, a full course or a set of courses. These courses with academic credit will be listed on the student’s transcript and can also be applied to other program requirements, such as the major, the minor or General Studies. Transfer courses and credits accrued through prior learning may be used to demonstrate competencies as part of a micro-credential, dependent on the competencies and type of artifact required for the specific micro-credential.
University Badging Committee
Under the policy, the Office of Curriculum, Academic Effectiveness and Policy Development is responsible for administering the University’s badging program. The first step in this process was the creation of the University Badging Committee. This committee consists of 10 members, with the associate vice president serving as chair and several staff members serving in ex officio roles. The first meeting was held Sept. 20.
Learn more about micro-credentialing and digital badging and stay tuned for a future Early Bird article that digs deeper into the committee and how to propose a digital badge for submission.