College of Business Launches Microcredential Program
Traditionally, academic degrees, transcripts, and certifications (e.g. CCSP, CDP, CEH) have provided students and professionals with a way to show what they have learned and experienced. With the speed that technology and the marketplace are changing, the demand for flexible and targeted training opportunities outside of the confines of a typical degree-seeking program is growing. How can skills and competencies be demonstrated in areas that aren’t reflected in transcripts or diplomas? A recent AACSB article suggests that these skills and competencies, or “microcredentials,” can be earned by degree seekers and non-degree seeking learners alike. Microcredentials are immediately validated through digital badges, but can also be “stacked,” one on top of the other, toward a final certification or degree (New Strategies for an Uncertain Future, AACSB, August 24, 2022).
“Microcredentials are becoming a necessary approach to show recruiters and hiring personnel precisely where an individual’s skills lie,” said Chwen Sheu, Associate Dean for Academic Programs. “Digital badges are an excellent way for the seasoned professional, a current student, or anyone in between, to demonstrate very specific, detailed units of study. They can also be used by corporations, based on our experience, to develop training programs for employee reskill/upskill needs.”
“I am excited to see our digital microcredential program launch,” said College of Business Dean Kevin Gwinner. “These are short, focused courses designed to provide skills that are in demand, extremely flexible, and totally personalized. This type of digital credentialing indicates that a person has mastered a skill that can be posted, accessed, and verified online.”
Microcredentials in Data Analytics and Strategic Innovation were offered this fall, and will open for Spring '23 registration soon:
- Fundamentals of Data Analytics using Python
- Data Visualization and Business Intelligence using Python
- Introduction to Strategic Innovation
- Formulating an Innovation Strategy
- Implementing an Innovation Strategy
The digital badge program was piloted by the College of Business last spring. According to Sheu, more than 20 students took the courses and received the non-credit badges. They were able to use the microcredential course to enhance their academic credentials in an affordable and flexible format. The College also offered those badges to two corporate partners, with approximately 80 employees completing the badge courses. Both firms provided very positive feedback regarding the value of the program. Currently, more than 200 non-credit badges have been issued by the College.
Reviews from students and corporate partners:
“Last February, as part of our creation of a microcredentialing program, the College facilitated the Strategic Innovation course for our organization,” said Dan Bergen, Director of Data Analytics at Centralized Supply Chain Services (CSCS). “They did a fantastic job presenting the material and challenging each one of the participants to think critically about what is important, where we should focus our time, and why it’s essential to learn new, practical tools. As result of this training, CSCS created a cross functional Innovation Task Force this spring whose recommendations were just presented to our leadership team to be incorporated into the strategic vision for coming years. The true definition of success in a course is not just the transfer of knowledge but the application of said knowledge and I am confident that without the Strategic Innovation badge program, CSCS would not have the dedicated focus and processes around innovation that we do today.”
Kensley Fleischer graduated in May 2022 with a Master of Business Administration degree and a concentration in marketing. “As a graduate student who was preparing to enter a career in marketing, I knew it was vital to learn the basics of data analytics to understand the implications of different campaigns and their effectiveness, especially when justifying those with a higher cost by looking at return on investment. I took this course because I wanted to deepen my analytical skills and learn more about visualizing and interpreting data from a business standpoint. Plus, as digital marketing continues to evolve and become more data-driven, I knew that employers were looking for these types of skills in potential hires, and I wanted to stand out as an applicant. While the badge course was only six weeks long, it challenged me to learn another tool outside of Excel that I could use for more complex data. Now that I am working full-time as a marketing specialist, a big aspect of my job is analyzing data from social media, email marketing, push notifications, and other digital marketing campaigns to help shape future decisions for our brand. I think establishing data analytical skills is vital for any business major to be successful in their future career.”
“In the great tradition of land grant institutions, these credentials allow students a way to plan a lifelong learning journey that will increase their opportunities and interests in building their futures and their communities,” said Dean Gwinner. “As students earn additional credentials, their success becomes a self-motivating factor helping them understand the value of learning new skills, networking with peers and building community while acquiring specific competencies. Digital credentialing is an innovative method that conveys the knowledge that is so important to the growth of our citizens and development of our communities in the 21st century.”
Kansas State University recognizes the importance of offering more flexible and affordable learning paths to students and working professionals and has begun to develop campus-wide microcredentials policies and infrastructure (https://global.k-state.edu/faculty/microcredentials/). More information will be released soon, as the College builds a library of microcredential resources. Businesses interested in microcredentialing opportunities for their employees should contact Dr. Sheu.