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Academic Credit Microcredentialing Implementation Proposal

Background Information:

What are microcredentials?

Microcredentials refer to a set of coherent learning experiences that are non-degree-bearing but are credentialed (i.e., there has been a validation process that skills/competencies have been earned). Microcredentials can be credit or non-credit and sometimes are equated with the concept of digital badges. They tend to be offered in shorter or more flexible periods and designed to meet a specific need required in the workplace. They tend to focus on a skill or competency and thus are frequently interdisciplinary in nature. They can be offered online, on-ground or a hybrid of both.

What are the opportunities?

Individuals interested in earning microcredentials are likely to substantially grow in the coming years. This includes a variety of potential audiences, including current students, former students (both completers and non-completers), industry/community partners, current faculty/staff (e.g., onboarding, professional development), as well as adult learners. Â鶹¾«Ñ¡ is well positioned to offer microcredentials as the colleges already offer a large number of non-degree experiences (e.g., workshops, short-term courses, teacher licensure programs), and there is great interest by faculty to start offering credit-bearing microcredentials. In addition, business partners have been reaching out to Â鶹¾«Ñ¡ to have their employees take advantage of these experiences.

What is the immediate problem?

First, Â鶹¾«Ñ¡does not have a university-wide academic process for the development and approval of curricular proposals for credit-bearing microcredentials. Thus, academic units that want to offer a credit-bearing microcredential cannot do so, and students are not in a position to have such a program recognized by the university (via a transcript or digital badge) for having demonstrated a skill or competency through a credit-bearing microcredential. The current proposal addresses this problem by developing an approval process for credit-bearing microcredentials. The scope of this proposal and approval process is limited to bundling academic courses that previously have been approved through the curricular approval process at Â鶹¾«Ñ¡.

Rationale for implementing a microcredential strategy:

As Higher Education continues to evolve and with the onset of the Covid-19 realities, Â鶹¾«Ñ¡is positioned as a public university to better serve the needs of the community through the development of microcredentials. Through a multi-campus system, the ability to cultivate credit-bearing microcredentials situates Â鶹¾«Ñ¡to meet the unique and quickly changing needs of Northeast Ohio, the state and beyond.

Microcredentials are flexible and shorter options to engage those interested to expand their knowledge, skills and experiences. This working document provides the guiding principles and recommendations to implement a Â鶹¾«Ñ¡credit-bearing microcredential strategy.

The creation of credit-bearing microcredentials will strengthen Kent State’s ability to develop and enhance academic and industry partnerships, graduate a future workforce that is uniquely prepared and ready, and increase Kent State’s mission as a public university to offer accessible educational opportunities.

The guiding principles outlined below represent the Vision and Mission of Â鶹¾«Ñ¡ and will guide the work of the creation of credit-bearing microcredentials at Â鶹¾«Ñ¡.

KENT STATE VISION

To be a community of change agents whose collective commitment to learning sparks epic thinking, meaningful voice and invaluable outcomes to better our society.

KENT STATE MISSION

We transform lives and communities through the power of discovery, learning and creative expression in an inclusive environment.

Guiding principles:

Ensure Academic Quality

• Build upon existing high standards of academic quality as appropriate for microcredential learning experiences
• Establish learning outcomes tied to each learning experience
• Demonstrate a distinctive curricular experience (apart from undergraduate degree programs)

Prioritize A Student Focus

• Cultivate microcredential experiences that are flexible in offering; nimble to meet community and market needs; and, transferable to meet a variety of institutional requirements and opportunities
• Offer in various formats (time to complete, online, F2F, hybrid, etc.)
• May supplement an existing degree program
• May use as a requirement in an existing certificate or degree program
• Engage multiple audiences (alumni; parent and family members; adult and K-12 learners) to increase skills, knowledge and competencies

Driven by Faculty

• Determine faculty oversight, shared governance and involvement
• Ascertain value, buy-in and assessment

Cultivate Interdisciplinary & Innovative Learning Experiences

• Develop interdisciplinary content that reflects the university’s academic strengths.
• Develop content that meets community and market needs / interests in alignment to a 21st century workforce and demand.
• Elevate Â鶹¾«Ñ¡strengths as a public university.
• Create new opportunities for faculty innovation.

Build Strategic Partnerships

• Ability to create academic and external partnerships with industry, corporations, non-profit sectors and other community-based agencies.
• Positions Â鶹¾«Ñ¡to meet local, regional and potentially global needs.

Academic Credit Microcredentialing Proposed Process

Proposal Development: Academic Governance Processes:

Given the rich expertise and breadth of knowledge held throughout the university system, proposal development should be governed by the following considerations:

• Faculty generate an idea for a microcredential.
• Interested parties complete the Microcredential Proposal Form.
• Proposals should link to industry, workforce or related community-based needs; focus on interdisciplinary and university strengths; distinguish itself apart from existing programs, certificates or other existing learning opportunities at the university; and include clearly articulated outcomes. Proposals should also include how the offering will stand alone or thread into other paths.
• Proposals need to be signed by the department chair, college or campus curriculum committee, and corresponding dean after consultation with the appropriate faculty advisory council(s) or curriculum committee(s). Where appropriate, external corporate or industry partners should provide input. In addition, an interdisciplinary area may be designated to coordinate, review and approve interdisciplinary proposals.
• Once the proposal form is complete with all appropriate signatures, the proposal is forwarded to the MC Approval Committee, a subcommittee of EPC, for review and approval or denial.
• A submission and approval timeline will be established.

Microcredential Approval Committee Review & Approval:

• The Microcredential Approval Committee, a subcommittee of EPC, is made up of members from:
  • The Provost Office
  • The Division of Enrollment Management
  • The Lifelong Learning Unit
  • A faculty chair, Kent Campus
  • A faculty chair or program coordinator, College of Applied and Technical Studies
  • A Faculty Senate member
  • Additional faculty members to ensure that the committee is majority faculty
  • Curriculum Services
• The Charge of the MC Approval Committee will be to determine approval or denial of MC proposals.
  • All academic governance approvals must be secured prior to submitting proposal to the MC Approval Committee (see Academic Governance process above).
  • Supporting documentation may be provided in addition to a completed and approved MC proposal form.

Marketing & Recruitment:

• Marketing will be centralized through the LifeLong Learning Unit
  • A website will be created, housed on the Provost’s Office website devoted to KSU MCs, this will include information and resources for students and faculty regarding the process to register for a MC; catalog of offerings; staff contact information, MC proposal form, criteria and guidelines, etc.
• Recruitment for enrollment in MCs can be driven by academic program areas as well as have a centralized campaign to kick-start MCs at KSU.