Microcredentials

Microcredentials are designed to help learners showcase the knowledge, skills, and achievements developed throughout their learning journey at The University of Texas at Arlington. Whether earned through academic coursework, professional development, leadership experiences, research, or specialized training, these credentials help learners demonstrate meaningful achievements. 

Why Earn a Microcredential? 

Microcredentials can help learners: 

  • Access flexible opportunities to build skills and explore areas of interest. 
  • Track and celebrate progress as new competencies are developed and milestones are achieved.
  • Connect what is learned in the classroom to career readiness and professional goals.
  • Share verified evidence of skills and accomplishments with employers, graduate programs, and professional networks. 

Who Can Earn Microcredentials? 

  • Current students
  • Faculty and staff
  • Alumni
  • Working professionals
  • Community learners 

How it Works

  1. Complete learning requirements
  2. Demonstrate competency or submit evidence
  3. Receive a verified digital badge
  4. Share achievements online or with employers 


Definitions

A method used to evaluate a learner’s knowledge, skills, or performance to determine whether the requirements and learning outcomes of a credential have been successfully met.
The detailed requirements that a learner must meet in order to earn a badge or credential. Criteria should be measurable. 
Online representations that recognize achievement, knowledge, or skills that can be shared digitally and often includes information about how it was earned. 
The name of the individual, entity, or organization awarding and verifying a credential. 
Clear and measurable statements describing what a learner should know, be able to do, or demonstrate after completing a credential.
The embedded information connected to a digital credential that provides details about the learner, issuer, requirements, evidence, issue date, and other information used to verify the achievement.
A competency or skills based recognition that allows a learner to demonstrate competency, skill development, or achievement in a specific area of learning. Microcredentials are typically smaller in scope than a degree or traditional certificate program. 
A digital badge that follows the Open Badges standard, allowing the credential to include verifiable metadata and be shared across different platforms and systems.
A structured sequence of learning experiences, courses, or credentials designed to help learners progressively build knowledge, skills, or competencies toward a larger credential.
A characteristic of digital credentials that allows learners to easily access, download, store, and share their achievements across platforms, employers, institutions, and professional networks.
A design approach in which smaller credentials are designed to be combined or sequenced with other credentials, often in learning pathways.
The ability to confirm that a credential is authentic, accurately issued, and awarded to a specific learner by a recognized institution or organization.