Traditional approaches to education are evolving, making it easier for learners to augment an existing skill set or acquire new skills that can completely change the course of a career. Microcredentials play a key role in this evolution.
Caryn Beck-Dudley
President and CEO, AACSB International
Finding the time to gain new skills and advance your career while balancing your personal life is challenging, especially when so many priorities are shifting as a result of the pandemic. Remaining agile and open to new possibilities is critical to success, and now there are more options to support a variety of learning and professional development goals.
Traditional approaches to education are evolving, making it easier for learners to augment an existing skill set or acquire new skills that can completely change the course of a career. Microcredentials play a key role in this evolution.
Microcredentials
Microcredentials are specialized “mini-classes” leading to certifications or credentials awarded to learners after they are completed. They are efficient, cost-effective options for non-degree educational opportunities. There is a renewed focus on microcredentials among educators, employers, and learners, bringing about new innovations to support learning around the world.
Microcredentials are offered by a variety of providers: higher education institutions; other educational/skill development platforms; and even employers themselves, in the form of digital badges. Microcredentials can vary greatly in learning method and level of quality. Learners can ensure they are getting a high-quality learning experience by seeking microcredentials that are delivered by an AACSB-accredited business school, especially those with the option to be stacked or bundled, and allowed to count as credit-bearing courses leading to a degree.
Not everyone is seeking or requires a higher education degree to further their professional development. For example, some employers may find that digital badges from online learning platforms work well for enhancing certain skill sets in employees. However, across most industries, traditional degrees continue to lead the way in ensuring a learner has the level of knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a business setting.
Degree and non-degree options each serve unique purposes, but the important choice for learners is that they find an educational program that best meets their needs. In the case of microcredentials, many learners who pursue them are able to learn new skills, remain agile in their careers, and create new opportunities to connect with businesses in their community and beyond.