Micro-Credentials

Micro-Credentials are opportunities to enhance your skills with concentrated coursework in a particular area of study. Micro-Credentials verify, validate, and attest that specific skills and/or competencies have been achieved. They differ from traditional degrees and certificates in that they are generally offered in shorter or more flexible timespans and tend to be more narrowly focused. Micro-credentials can be offered online, in the classroom, or via a hybrid of both.

What is a Micro-Credential?

Today’s competitive workforce is in a constant state of evolution. Job descriptions and responsibilities are frequently evaluated, updated and realigned, and new skills are constantly needed to ensure incumbent and new employees can meet the demands of changing industries and technology.

Micro-credentials address this dynamic through coursework that is dramatically trimmed and strategically designed to focus on specific relevant skills.

How is a Micro-Credential different than a Degree or Certificate program?

Time: Micro-credential programs are just 9 to 15 credit hours and can be earned in as quickly as one semester. (Certificate and associate degree programs range from 30 – 62 credit hours take over one to three years!)

Topic: Because a micro-credential is designed to cover specific skills, you only take courses relevant to your chosen topic. This laser-focus provides you an opportunity to concentrate on the development of a particular skill that adds to your repertoire in a very short period of time.

Tuition: Like the coursework, the tuition for a micro-credential is trimmed down to just the cost of the course and related books and fees.

Digital Badge: Micro-credential students earn a digital badge upon completion to highlight core skills and competencies that employers search for on resumes, LinkedIn pages and other social media channels.

Transcripts: Micro-credentials also generate an official college transcript that documents their earned academic credit.

Transfer: Because micro-credentials result in SUNY academic college credit, this credit is transferable and can be applied toward additional academic degrees in the future:

• GCC associate degrees and certificates
• SUNY to SUNY Pathways and Seamless Transfer programs
• Through many of GCC’s more than 200 transfer agreements
• Most colleges and universities nationwide