Microcredentials (aka "certificates" or "certifications") are focused credentials which a student may earn after only a handful-- or even just one-- course. They are credentials which prove to employers that the student possesses job-specific skills.

There's a number of reasons your school should offer microcredentials, and there's a number of ways FlightPath can help keep track of them!

The Higher Ed Enrollment Issue

It's no secret that institutions of higher education are fast approaching an "enrollment cliff."  There's a number of reasons: lower birth rates in the US, smaller class sizes in high school, and, most importantly, a drop in interest in a 4-year traditional college degree from young people.

A recent Wall Street Journal-NORC poll found that among respondants aged 18-34 (your traditional bread and butter), a whopping 61% held a negative view of the value of a college degree.  This is despite the fact that multiple studies have shown that attaining a 2- or 4-year degree increases a person's earning power over their lifetime.

Why Are Young People Losing Faith in the College Degree?

The primary reasons cited are cost and time.  According to the National Center for Education Statistics, between 1980 and 2020, inflation-adjusted college expenses rose 264%. 

Many young people have little interest in paying a huge investment into four more years of education.

This Paves the Way for Microcredentials

Imagine instead of having to wait 4 years and tens of thousands of dollars to become employable, students could begin earning employer-recognized certifications (aka "microcredentials") right away?  A good example might come from a Computer Science program:

What if once the student has completed 9 credits of course work learning about programming, they are awarded a microcredential in "Beginning Software Development"?  And after another 9 credits, they are awarded the "Intermediate Software Development" credential, and so on.

This is a prospect which appeals to both budget-conscious students, as well as employers.  It proves to the employers that the students have certain necessary skills, and it allows the student to begin seeing the benefits of a college education right away, instead of years down the road.

These certifications can be issued by your institution directly, or simply prepare the student for an industry-recognized microcredential from the private sector.

How Can FlightPath Help?

FlightPath is a detailed and feature-rich academic advising and student success platform.  Among its many features is the ability to track progress towards certificates, badges, microcredentials, etc.  Students can see in real-time (using charts and graphs) exactly how close they are to earning the next credential, as well as their chosen degree.

If your institution is considering offering microcredentials or certification programs to students, FlightPath is here to help!

Contact us today for a free demo, or, if you are short on time, watch one of our quick video tours.