What are Micro-credentials, and What are They Used For?

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What are micro-credentials and what is their purpose? Micro-credentials are a form of certification that are the equivalent of downsizing full degrees. People are now seeking them to show they have a particular skill, as opposed to going to school for full courses or degrees.

Employees who have certifications or micro-credentials are viewed as more competitive not only while trying to land a job, but also after they are employed. Many employers believe their employees should continue a never-ending process of learning.

According to Online School Center, “[M]ost employers expect their workers to continually seek out learning opportunities.” The article states, “In a recent survey of human resource managers across different industries, 95% were interested in the micro-credentials of potential hires.”

Employees and prospective employees can earn micro-credentials in many different subjects, including front-end web development, applying leadership skills in the workplace, teaching writing in K-12 classrooms and many more. These credentials are called many different things, including web badges, nano-degrees and micro-certifications.

Such credentials are earned through a mini version of a college course either online or in person. Instead of an entire course with a standard five-month time frame, a person can earn these credentials at their own pace.

Micro-badges may be more convenient for someone who is already in the workforce wants to amp up his or her résumé, or even for a student who would like to pair regular college coursework with additional learning.

A recent Education Dive article stated that several elite schools including MIT, Columbia University, and the University of Michigan are now offering programs that award micro-degrees in hopes of attracting professionals interested in career development.

ProctorU, an online exam proctoring service, helps institutions uphold academic integrity for many different types of exams and schools. They meet proctoring needs for institutions all across the world, including those where micro-credentials are offered.